AFL Update: October 21, 2010
A quick look at how the Nats did in AFL action yesterday
By now, most of you have heard that Bryce Harper made his debut yesterday and went 1-for-4 with a double and 2 RBI, but for those that haven’t, here’s the story on MiLB.com. And if you haven’t seen Adam Kilgore’s story on Derek Norris, it’s worth a look.
Otherwise, it was a light night on the Nats front as the only player to see game action was Steve Lombardozzi. He batted leadoff, played second base, went 1-for-4 (double) with a walk and two runs scored in a 6-3 Scottsdale Scorpions win. He was also caught stealing.
Harper almost had an oppo boppo in his debut, but an oppo GRD is not too shabby either!
@AdamKilgoreWP: “Harper at-bat No. 4: Bases-loaded, 2 out, first-pitch ground-rule double to left. Smoked. Scout: “He’s got the fastest bat out here.”
After watching him at instructs, i’m a beliver. I just hope he doesn’t tank by not being able to catch up to the breaking pitches.
And i’m totally happy hearing him talk about the Nats being the “yankees of the east”….it’s about time someone started talking about how good they can be and not how crappy they are now. The talent is there/coming along. It’s nothing but good for the Nats in the future. :o)
The Norris story was great. I’d seen better caught stealing numbers for him during this season and fewer passed balls but it still sounds like he has a way to go. The offensive numbers in the AFL so far suggest that he’s ready to mash in Harrisburg. With Norris and Harper on the prospect radars we might have two top 40 prospects at the start of next year, maybe three given that Espinosa probably still has eligibility.
Souldrummer: I’m with you about Norris being ready for HAR – the .419OBP at high-A tells me he knows the strike zone, and being a year removed from hamate surgery he should have his full power stroke back. A little more work on his positioning behind the plate, and blocking balls in the dirt will add a bit more polish as well.
I’m certainly a lot happier about the Organization’s status behind the plate than I was just two years’ ago when Flores went down with the ankle injury.