Nats Finally Make Some More Minor-League Signs
Thus far it’s been quiet on the free-agent front for the minors, but with the latest dispatch from Baseball America, we’re finally starting to see some movement.
• RHPs Paul Demny, Mitch Lively
• 1B-DH Clint Robinson
• 3B Mario Lisson
• OF Delta Cleary
Demny and Lively are re-signs, with Demny apparently finding no interest elsewhere in his first free-agent stint while Lively looks to be returns after making seven starts and two appaearances for Syracuse after getting released by the Giants organization.
Robinson is a former Royals farmhand who’s spent the past four seasons at AAA, bouncing to the Blue Jays in 2013, and the Dodgers in 2014, where he posted a line of .312/.401/.534 in the hitter-friendly PCL. He turns 30 in February and would appear ticketed for Syracuse.
Lisson is also a former KC minor-leaguer who returned to the U.S. after spending 2013 in the Mexican League to play with the AA Richmond squad as a 30-year-old (he turns 31 in May). The Venezuelan native hit .266 with 18 HR and 76 RBI and mostly played 3B.
Cleary is former 37th Rd. draft pick for Colorado (2008) and lands with Washington as six-year free agent, having peaked last summer in AAA for Colorado Springs. He turns 26 in August and for the tea-leave-reading folks, it would appear he’s the plan B for the Senators if the powers that be deem Isaac Ballou not ready for AA, as Clearly has spent the majority of his career as a centerfielder.
It’s also worth noting that virtually all of these signees played in the same leagues as the Nationals affiliates at one point or another.
I understand that Robertson would be headed to Syracuse, but might he be competition for Tyler Moore?
T-Mo is out of options so won’t be in Syracuse. He’ll either be in DC or with another organization. There would be no reason for him to re-sign with the Nats if he got DFA’d.
And yes, my first thought when I read about Robinson was “left-handed T-Mo.”
So this makes two former royal farmhands with the KC connection
In farm ranks.
Luke, agree on Cleary being sens option if cat Ballou redoes A plus.
Time will tell if Ramsey and Vettleson both jump to chiefs
Robinson is not a TMo, even if he replaces him. TMo is a power bat 1B-OF. Robinson is known for his plate selectivity and is a veteran presence. A good thing to have for developing teammates like Michael Taylor to watch and learn from.
Plus, the organization has no left handed pop other than Skole, who may never make it. Robinson, if he makes the grade, may have a future if a need opens up for left handed pinch hitting with pop, especialy next fall when the rosters expand. So he is more a Skole replica than a Moore.
Harrisburg AA staff will have a lot of arms competing in the spring. Whomever ends up in the starting five will be interesting to predict. Lots of candidates of AA reruns (Rivero) and rehabs (Solis) and promos (Dickson, Spann, Backas?) and returnees (Voth, Simms) and prospects (Silvestre) and bullpen candidates (Purke).
Bullpen looks very full also.
Gil Grissom, I agree in sens staff thoughts .
My mind cannot wrap around this nats rays
Padres buzz. SouzA and Ott for Birch Smith
Or is it turner the SS , the 1b and the padres 41st
2015 pick?? St Michael warmed up for this card
Game last winter with Karns deal and the prior
Winter with Oakland , Seattle three way!
Gil Grissom , AAA is always about filling spots
And PD mentors for kids as you mentioned .
Like Lisson
Anybody notice ex nats hired by cubs
Brian Lawrence pitching coach @ South Bend
MWL
Darnell McDonald in a head game role.
If rizzo is quoting his old boss Roland Hemond
– open for business- if SS traded, then why not
Unload McLouth to birds in first official swap
Between I-95 teams??!!! Two bodies for
Nats with Nate the injured Nat ???
Luke? Gil Grissom , Mark L?
It’s looking like the Nats are trading Souza for this N.C. State shortstop who was the Padres 1st round pick last year. I dunno.
It’s important to remember that Souza’s OPS last year was 150+ points better than # 2 .
Losing Travis Ott would be a heartbreaker in that he’s the kind of guy minor league seamheads can dream about for years because he’s so young and projectable.
At least they’re not trading Reynardo!
I love Souza but still like the trade (assuming Turner is one of the players involved). This kid could be just what the doctor ordered for the Nats and could be ready mid season 2016. Sounds like Ross is no slouch either. Good all around trade for everyone, I think.
Ross could be transitioned to bullpen
.
I know Luke may be tired of the lightning in the bottle
Comments about Latin lefties below A ball, but there are
Some there and with three picks in first 50-60 next June –
Rizzo may make up for kid returning g to Miami canes
Mr. rizzo, you need to add two athletes to bench with Souza
Gone
Good point about the Nats bench; it just got a whole lot thinner.
Does anybody know anything about Ross? I’m Sgt. Schultz on him.
Col Klink here: Berkeley c&a born
6’4″. RHP. Number one mark for friars
Big k numbers up to AA. Transition to bullpen.
Everybody here knows my ways but I am
As Steve perry sang in escape – breaking away.
Ok mr Lerner. You move Desmond in next 8 months
With Nat Turner in the wings. Then go out and sign for
My 50 th birthday in March. Jose Fernandez and young
Moncada!!! The angels have enough talent !
Lol!
Great job , me Lerner , but please finish the journey
With your great Latin guy, Johnny DiP!!
Merry Xmas and happy Hannukuh to all!!
This is a great move for Souza! He’ll get to start and show his stuff in a full season as a Major Leaguer. It’s a shot he deserves and one he would only get elsewhere. His only hope with the Nats was to be the 25th man and 5th OF.
Sickels’ year-end review of Padres prospects had Ross at #16: http://www.minorleagueball.com/2014/9/11/6076889/san-diego-padres-top-20-2014-pre-season-prospects-in-review. He also has a very positive note about Turner at the bottom of the page. Turner seems to have hit a lot better in his limited pro debut than some expected in their draft previews. Too bad the Nat coaches won’t get their hands on him until next June. Didn’t start playing SS until his soph year in college, but seems to be taking to it well. Speed is his big calling card, though.
Best wishes to Souza, whom we around here have been watching a long, long time.