So Long, Boys
Unfortunately, this is the time of the year when we learn for sure who’s not coming back this summer. Yesterday’s transaction post from Baseball America had the following releases:
- RHP Frankie Bartow (Harrisburg)
- RHP Michael Mariot (MLFA)
- RHP Jose Marquez (FCL)
- RHP Jose Mercedes (FCL)
- 2B Brian Klein (FCL)
- IF RobertAnthony Cruz (FCL)
- OF Jorge Hurtado (FCL)
There are no real surprises here. All but Mariot were Nats draftees or IFAs and only Bartow had played north of Florida.
I think Bartow would be safely classified as a surprise, in as much as it can be a surprise that so many college educated young men are willing to live in poverty for a few years. I presume Bartow’s release was his decision rather than a performance one, as his stats were fine and sometimes very good in his limited time with the club. His 2021 was a lot better than his 5.40 ERA suggests, as he displayed an improved ability to miss bats, while doing it at the big jump from A+ to AA. Wish him the best with whatever comes next!
Spike lives!
Bartow was an 11th Round pick in 2018 and was 25. I hope this means that Harrisburg has great pitching this year. He wasnt that bad.
Farewell to Frankie Goes to Hollywood, err, Harrisburg. The Nats advanced him quickly after he was drafted, and he had a solid 2019 at Potomac, with a great ERA but not striking out many. As Will noted, he reversed those fortunes at AA, striking out more guys but also giving up more runs. But yes indeed, considering how gosh-awful the big club is in the bullpen right now and the limited number of good arms in the upper part of the system, the release is a bit of a surprise. As Will said, he may have just retired.
Overall, it’s another blow to the less-than-stellar performance of 2018 draft class. Denaburg and Irvin have had significant injury issues, and Cate really struggled last summer. Evan Lee was the only one from that whole draft class saved from Rule 5 exposure by being added to the 40-man, but that move was made based a lot more on “potential” than on actual results. In fact, he spent the season a whole level behind Bartow.
It pays to be lefthanded. Mothers, if you see your child is lefthanded make him a pitcher.
One more that was posted on the Nats transactions before spring training was the voluntary retirement of C Alex Dunlap (2017 draft out of Stanford). He was a 29th round pick that wrapped up his career at AAA Rochester in 2021. Guessing that he will do ok going forward with a Stanford degree in hand.