NationalsProspects.com

Offseason Update: Jan. 7, 2025

Here’s hoping you made it through yesterday’s snowstorm without incident. Our official stance on snow—from NationalsProspects.com’s original copyeditor—remains the same.

For the sake of keeping the proverbial lights on, water running through the pipes, etc. – here are a few, um, minor items spotted recently:

● Baseball America released its latest transaction post yesterday, except for fans of Agustin Marcano, there was nothing new.

● There have been whispers that Washington has signed Mets MLFA Junior Santos, but there has not been an official announcement yet.

● Likewise, there’s a possible sneak peek of the Nats’ 2025 IFAs via the cesspool formerly known as Twitter. (My apologies to any cesspools reading).

● Finally, for those interested in the state of actual scouting (not the pretend kind we do via boxscore), well, maybe what we do isn’t that far off – especially if you have the time to wade through prospect video on YouTube. The SSS caveat is also in place, but it may be also an indication that only a fraction of the full-time scouts are willing to speak up, even with the promise of anonymity.

17 Commments

  1. Junior Santos is 6’7″. Rizzo certainly has a type.

    I wonder what percentage of pitchers 6’6″ and above are in the Nats org? Just off the top of my head, Rutledge, Sykora, Susana, Clemmey, Bennett, Stuart, Ribalta and Carlos Romero tower over their teammates.

    1. If that’s Junior, I’d like to see Senior Santos! (rim shot)

      Liam Sullivan is also 6’6″. Perhaps the Nats could serve as the Wizards’ G-League squad?

      1. I was looking at Santos’ BBRef page, I see District on Deck already picked up on the height angle, as we also recently signed 6’6″ Patrick Weigel: https://districtondeck.com/nationals-get-more-bullpen-help-by-signing-a-pair-of-tall-relievers-01jgn4j10938

        If anyone wants to come across like a fortune teller, have a look at the heights of current major and minor league relief free agents, and list off those 6’6″ and above. There’s a very good chance we’ll sign them to fill out our barren bullpen.

        1. As much as we laugh about it, if you’ve sat close at an MLB game recently, the size of the current players is striking. No one seems to have stopped to think about whether bigger is actually better. Then you look at Altuve and wonder whether there’s a market inefficiency in smaller guys. (On that note, I have a hard time believing that Seaver King is actually his listed 6’0″.)

      2. LeCroy Rochester OF?
        Hassell 3, Lile DelaCruz
        Wow the Nats sign two former Dodger reliever free agents .
        Is this the year Zach B settles in on the big club bullpen ??
        Another storm what’s new it’s like rain in April when you want to see the new club roster @ Harrisburg
        lol
        Poll straw : what dog breeds can’t stand the rain besides my Boston T. Mr 3 am pre – dawn patrol ??

    2. Small world there is a Santos coffee shop in this Westin Uptown Birmingham .
      Catfish sandwich collard greens @ Eugene’s

  2. the scouting story was interesting, thanks for the link.

    though not breaking news, the Halos signing Carter Kieboom was amusing to me. while he got several chances to succeed I always felt coming into the league behind Rendon made his task more difficult. not so much in terms of ability but rather my perception of Rendon as a teammate. then again maybe I viewed Rendon’s attitude with the media as being the same as what he was with his teammates.

    in case you are looking for a reply with little real substance, here you go.

  3. What is an intl signing class with out a De La Cruz
    As for the kid with first name Marconi .. his walk up song byte could be “ Marconi played the mamba .. listen to the radio . Starship We Built this City .

      1. Yes but he loved Triad which fueled the break up of the. Byrds written by Crosby and Kantner and Slick

  4. I’m a numbers guy, and I really appreciate what stats are doing to help players learn how to perform better.

    HOWEVER, scouts are cheap, and while many of the academies and colleges have pitch/fx (or similar), a lot don’t. And it’s not safe to assume any capable ballplayer is going to play on a academy or travel team. Given how expensive even a 1-WAR free agent is compared to the league minimum, getting more scouts is a bargain. I did a chart one time and compared the number of scouts on staff to the overall value of their farm system, and the correlation was clear. More scouts equals better farm system. Use analytics too, without a doubt. But limiting yourself to data collected by other people is, well, limiting.

    1. There’s been no shortage of penny wise, pound foolish decisions by MLB when it comes to player development in recent years. Add this to the list.

  5. Nats sign Ahmed Rosario to an MLB deal and DFA Joan Adon. So, the Adon era may be over in DC.

    1. It wouldn’t surprise me if Adon clears waivers, particularly this time of year when most teams are close to their 40-man limits. It would be good to be able to keep him in the system. He was one who was definitely rushed without full development.

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