Wednesday’s News & Notes
| Team | Yesterday | Today | Pitching Probables |
| Rochester | Won, 11-4 | @ Worcester, 6:45 p.m. | Rutledge (2-3, 6.21) vs. Gambrell (3-6, 3.93) |
| Harrisburg | Won, 7-6 | @ Reading, 7 p.m. | Cuevas (1-3, 5.56) vs Ash (0-1, 2.28) |
| Wilmington | Lost, 10-2 | vs. Hudson Valley, 5 p.m. | Young (2-3, 3.53) and TBD vs. Stuart (2-1, 4.30) and TBD |
| Fredericksburg | Lost, 5-0 | vs. Kannapolis, 7:05 p.m. | Sykora (0-2, 4.32) vs. Peppers (2-2, 3.07) |
| FCL Nationals | Lost, 9-4; Lost, 9-1 (5 inn.) |
vs. FCL Marlins, 12 p.m. | |
| DSL Nationals | Lost, 11-3 | vs. DSL Twins, 11 a.m. |
Rochester 11 Worcester 4
• Watkins (W, 2-2) 5⅔ IP, 5H, 2R, 2ER, 0BB, 4K, WP
• Cate 1IP, 0H, 0R, 1BB, 2K
• Cluff 2-4, R, 2B, HR, SF, 4RBI
• Blankenhorn 1-2, 2R, 2BB
• Dunn 1-3, R, BB
• Call 1-4, R, 2B, BB
Rochester took advantage of five Worcester errors to score eleven times on eight hits as the Red Wings downed the (ugh) Woo Sox, 11-4. Spenser Watkins evened up his won-loss with two runs let in over five and 2/3rds. He walked none and struck out four. Jackson Cluff drove in four while racking up six total bases, including a double while Travis Blankenhorn reached base three times on a single and two walks to lead the Red Wings offense. Roster moves: LHP DJ Herz recalled to Washington.
Harrisburg 7 Reading 6
• Lara (W, 3-0) 6IP, 5H, 3R, 3ER, 3BB, 6K, HR
• S. Reyes (SV, 1) 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 1K
• Arruda 3-5, 2R, E
• Crews 2-5, 2-2B, 2RBI
• Hassell 2-5, R
Senators broke out for three in the 7th for the fourth and final lead change as they took the opener, 7-6. Andry Lara notched his third win on his fourth quality start since his promotion, allowing three runs on five hits (one HR) and three walks. He struck out six. The save went to Samuel Reyes with a scoreless 9th after Todd Peterson and Garvin Alston handed each their beers for three runs in the 7th and 8th innnings. Dylan Crews doubled twice and drove in two while J.T. Arruda scored twice while singling thrice to power the Harrisburg attack.
Hudson Valley 10 Wilmington 2
• Atencio (L, 0-3) 5IP, 7H, 8R, 5ER, 3BB, 3K, 2HR, HBP, WP
• Zinn 2IP, 1H, 0R, 1BB, 1K
• De La Rosa 1-3, 2B, BB
• Dugas 1-3, R, 2B
Hudson Valley was in control from the get-go, scoring twice in 1st and building a ten-run lead before Wilmington got two in the 8th in a 10-2 loss. Jose Atencio lost for the third time in four starts for the Blue Rocks, stung for eight runs (five earned) on seven hits (two HR) and three walks over five innings. Jeremy De La Rosa and Gaving Dugas both doubled while Elijah Nunez and Phillip Glasser both singled to account for the four (4) Wilmington hits. Roster moves: RHP Thomas Schultz promoted from Fredericksburg; OF Elijah Nunez activated from the 7-Day I.L.
Kannapolis 5 Fredericksburg 0
• Polanco (L, 4-1) 4IP, 7H, 2R, 1ER, 2BB, 4K, WP, BK
• Arguelles 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 3K
• Cox 1-1
• Green 1-3, 2K
The FredNats were shut out for the second time in three games and fourth overall in a 5-0 loss to the Cannon Ballers. Staff ace Bryan Polanco lost for the first time, allowing the first two Kannapolis runs on seven hits and two walks over four innings. Caleb Farmer, Elijah Green, and Brenner Cox each had a single while John McHenry walked to account for the four Fredericksburg baserunners. Roster moves: RHP Anothony Arguelles reassigned from the FCL; RHP Seth Shuman MiLB rehab transferred from the FCL; UT John McHenry reassigned from Wilmington; OF Tyler Baca placed on the 7-Day I.L.
FCL Astros 9 FCL Nationals 4 – GM. 1
• Colon 1⅔ IP, 4H, 3R, 0ER, 2BB, 1K, HBP
• A. Roman 2⅓ IP, 0H, 1R, 1ER, 2BB, 1K,
• Guash (L, 0-1) 1IP, 1H, 1R, 0ER, 0BB, 3K
• Mota 2-3, R, RBI, SB
• McKenzie 1-3, 2B, 2RBI
In the opener, the FCL Nationals put up two-spots in both the 3rd and 4th innings to take a 4-3 lead, but the FCL Astros banged out six runs over their last four “ups” to win, 9-4. Richard Guasch took the loss on an unearned run in his lone inning worked. Jorgelys Mota singled twice and drove in a run while Jared McKenzie doubled in two. The rest of the lineup went 1-for-19 with four walks and 11 whiffs.
FCL Astros 9 FCL Nationals 1 – GM. 2 (5 inn.)
• Portorreal (L, 0-3) 3⅓ IP, 7H, 9R, 9ER, 3BB, 3K, 2HR, HBP
• Bloebaum 1⅓ IP, 0H, 0R, 1BB, 3K
• Rivero 1-1, 2B, 2BB
• Mojia 1-2, R, 2B
Rain shortened this one to five innings, but it was already over after a six-run 4th as the F-Astros swept the doubleheader with a 9-1 beatdown. Leuris Portorreal gave up all nine runs on seven hits (two HR) and three walks over three and a 1/3rd innings to lose for the third time in five starts. Yoander Rivero drew two of the five walks drawn and connected for one of three doubles. Kelvin Diaz had the lone single and the lone RBI in 10 RISP chances.
DSL Giants Black 11 DSL Nationals 3
• M. De La Cruz 2⅔ IP, 5H, 6R, 3ER, 2BB, 2K, HR, HBP, 2WP
• J. Sanchez 1⅓ IP, 0H, 0R, 1BB, 2K
• Obispo 2-4
• D. Tejeda 1-3, R, BB, RBI, SB, CS
The DSL Nationals picked up where they left off in ’23 with an 11-3 loss. Marlon De La Cruz lost his pro debut with six runs (three earned) giving up six runs on five hits (one HR) and two walks. Juan Obsipo collected two of the four singles while Eyeksson Rojas tripled to round out the D-Nats’ five-hit barrage.
Here’s a good 10 minute video on 4 of the Harrisburg prospects.
https://t.co/WnooVsoqtk
(https://x.com/Nationals/status/1798029253008851409?t=CkwXefJiZ5RMKyYqYKHd2w&s=03)
Todd : maybe C Sanchez read your latest review of him in the recent blog about pitching depth .
5 iP 4 Ks not shabby
Todd you called the Alvarez promotion
Does this mean Dustin Saenz come forth out of witness protection / DL list ??
Some low key good moves happening. Schultz’s promotion, while overdue, is highly deserved. Congrats to him! Arguelles’ promotion from FCL to Fburg is another well deserved move. And John McHenry’s demotion should also pave the way for Phillip Glasser to actually get to play in the infield more often. Another important move.
The Dylan Show keeps on Crewsing. He had me worried with his slow April, but (unlike House) he’s adjusted and doing everything right since the start of May. In his past 28 games, he’s hitting a James Wood-esque .306/.381/.510, and cut down on the strikeouts (19 K% after an unsightly 36% in April). It looks like a promotion to Rochester is a lot closer than it seemed just a month ago. I’m starting to see some scenarios where Crews makes it to the majors by the end of this season.
Crews’s progress is encouraging, but there’s no reason to rush him. He still has things to work on and improve on at the “teaching level” of AA. He only has one homer in essentially the last month. He’s only hitting .143 against LHP, which has to improve from a RH batter. In a curious anomaly, he’s only hitting .215 in home games.
I do think he’s progressing in a way that he could be tentatively counted on to be a part of the MLB OF for all or most of next season. No reason to sign more Rosarios and Winkers.
I think much of that can be chalked up to small sample sizes. In 28 plate appearances vs lefties, he’s striking out less frequently and walking more frequently than against righties, and he’s just suffering from an extremely unlucky BABIP (.181). I wouldn’t worry too much at this point, as his splits were far less extreme last year, and it’s not like he’s looking completely overmatched.
On the Nats’ ’25 OF, I’m extremely excited to see an outfield of three centerfielders in Wood-Young-Crews. That could be an all around elite defense, not to mention the offensive potential.
Lane Thomas will be the Nats regular RF in 2025.
Which month of 2025?
Well I lost that bet with myself : first blue chipper on DSL to hit a tater
I was thinking Hurtado
Nope .. Liriano
“Eyeksson”. That’s a new one!
It’s always fun to have a read through some of these DSL names. Dashyll, Anyel and Anel, Franniel, Enyerber and Feldi are just a few highlights from this season’s DSL roster!
Us readers think of writer Dashyl Hamlett
Is Bryan Polanco actually considered the ace even if the two “ rotations on the DL “ were healthy ?? Just asking
first look at Anthony Arguelles, he’s got some stuff.
Lara keeps getting good results though his walk rate is up a bit. they let him throw 99 pitches yesterday, if that’s not a system high I don’t know what is.
watching Hassell he seems to have a plan every game on whether to try to pull or go the opposite way. something tells me the second half he is really going to take off
I agree , FredMD . Two cups of coffee ..Waffle House waiter .. another cup please .. more syrup for the waffle
Hassell strikes me as a tinkerer. Always trying to fix both real or perceived problems. There was an interesting interview with him on FanGraphs (https://blogs.fangraphs.com/robert-hassell-iii-talks-hitting/) from before he was traded to the Nats about his approach to hitting, which at least demonstrates he’s quite thoughtful on the subject. There was also an article or tweet or something, which I’ve spent ages failing to find that came out right around when he was traded to the Nats. In it, it talked about how Hassell said he was tinkering with his swing again, and I vividly remember being extremely confused as to why he would do such a thing, hitting .300. I even recall posting something to the extent of “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”. And then whaddayaknow, Hassell’s hot bat fell apart, and he hit about .220 the rest of the season. I wish I could find it! And if anyone recalls that thread or article, please help me remember!
Hassel might be the perfectionist
Like Fred Lynn or Wade Boggs were ?
The ghost of ( not Mrs Muir ) but Walt Hrniak has descended into him ?
Todd , great recent write up on NCAA tourney and pitching depth analysis !