2008 Minor League Review

[PatsNats28]

Nice read, take a look at it. Wouldn't let me attach the file 

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjournal/2008MinorLeagueSeasonSummary.pdf

[Skinz72]

It looks to me like the system is setting up for a nice show of legitimate MLB level players for a number of years - consisting of back-ups, roll players, relievers and bottom of the cycle starters.  The only issue I have is that they don't have any top level prospects - the "A" grade players that everyone salivates over.  BUT, not many teams have those.  The MLB teams that succeed tend to have a home grown core of role players combined with a dash of free agent all-stars. 

You want those projectable all-star types in your stystem, we don't have any, but overall I am impressed with the system as it stands today.  The farm system has a roll, and I think its doing its job, as well as having a good pipline.  I give us a B+.  The "A" grade level comes into play when all or most of the MiLB teams in your system have winning records and the call-ups offer more than what we saw.  But really, this is where I was hoping we would be three years ago.

[JMUalumni]

Two more reviews (FanGraphs and Bleacher Report):

The Graduate: John Lannan | Born: September 1984 | Left-Handed Pitcher

A 2005 11th round pick, John Lannan has made the Nationals’ scouting department look good. He is not a long-term No. 1 or 2 starter, but Lannan should be a reliable innings-eater. He allowed fewer hits than innings pitched in 2008, but did not strike out a ton of batters (5.79) and walked a few too many (3.56 BB/9), so there is room for improvement. He does a nice job of keeping the ball on the ground (53.6%) but allows his fair share of gopher balls (1.14 HR/9).

The Riser: Jordan Zimmermann | Born: May 1986 | Right-Handed Pitcher

A second rounder from the 2007 draft, Jordan Zimmermann has posted solid numbers in the minors and reached Double-A in his first full pro season. In Double-A, he posted rates of 7.51 H/9, 3.29 BB/9, and 8.69 K/9. Zimmermann could see Washington in 2009. His repertoire includes a low-90s fastball, curveball and developing change-up.

The Tumbler: Ross Detwiler | Born: March 1986 | Left-Handed Pitcher

After ending 2007 with a brief taste of the Major Leagues, Ross Detwiler struggled at High-A ball in 2008. The former No. 1 pick had difficulty missing bats (10.16 H/9) and walked too many batters as well (4.14 BB/9). He did a nice job of keeping the ball in the park, though, with a homer rate of 0.58 HR/9. He may begin 2009 back in the Florida State League.

The ‘08 Draft Pick: Adrian Nieto | Born: November 1989 | Catcher

The Nationals may have lost out on first round pick Aaron Crow in 2008, but it allowed them to sign a couple of prep sleepers away from college commitments, including Adrian Nieto and J.P. Ramirez. Nieto has been a long-time teammate of Royals’ 2008 first round pick Eric Hosmer. The young catcher appeared in only eight Rookie League games after signing but held his own and should return to short season ball in 2009 to continue to work on his defence.

The ‘09 Sleeper: Derek Norris | Born: February 1989 | Catcher

The Nationals organization certainly has some interesting catchers in the low minors and 19-year-old Derek Norris is one of them. In his second pro season, Norris posted a line of .279/.434/.463 in 227 at-bats against a league consisting mainly of 21 and 22-year-old college players. He posted rates of 21.7 BB% and 24.7% with an ISO of .185. He’ll get his first taste of full-season ball in 2009.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/a-minor-review-of-2008-the-nationals/

The Washington Nationals top five could have looked a whole lot different had they signed first-round pick Aaron Crow, arguably the best pitcher available in the year's draft. Instead, their top prospects run-down remains mostly the same as the pre-season list, with a few names switched around to keep things from getting stale.

In addition to the loss of Crow, two other losses re-shaped the way the Nats brass thought about their 2008 in terms of development: the losses of Chris Marrero to a broken leg and Justin Maxwell to a broken wrist. That said, here is the top five for the Washington Nationals organization

1. Jordan Zimmerman, right-handed starting pitcher, A+ Potomac, AA Harrisburg

It's hard to believe that someone born six days before me can do so much more with his life. Zimmerman had a great year in 2007 at Vermont of the NY-Penn League, and followed up with a brilliant pit stop in Potomac in 2008 before ending the season at Double-A Harrisburg.

He was downright dominant winning three of his five games at Potomac, striking out 31 in 27.1 innings and finishing with a 1.65 ERA. The Nats saw enough promise in the 22 year old to send him to Harrisburg, where he spent the majority of the season. The 2007 second-round draft pick was just as effective at Double-A winning seven games in 20 starts.

Had he qualified for any stat categories he would have finished fifth in ERA and fourth in WHIP. He did, despite any lack of qualifications, finish 13th in strikeouts, a testament to his strikeout prowess.

Built with a solid pitcher's frame, Zimmerman has ace qualities including: an above average fastball, an average changeup, and a slider that made significance progress in '08. He wasn't thought of as a top of the rotation guy coming into 2008, but certainly is leaving it.

2. Michael Burgess, outfielder, A Hagerstown, A+ Potomac

Burgess still has some holes in his game, most notably in his swing (see: 162 strikeouts in 472 at-bats). At 19, however, he still has plenty of time to refine his game. He already has the power hitting part of the game down, as evidenced by his 26 home runs as a 19-year-old splitting time between A levels.

Burgess is the right fielder of the future of the Nationals and will most likely continue his path to the majors, making Potomac his home in 2009, but it will be key to see if he can reign in that power and learn to hit for average, cutting down the strikeouts a bit.

Clearly strikeouts aren't always a hindrance to major league performance, see Ryan Howard and Adam Dunn, but for Burgess to blossom into the type of player that the Nationals will need to establish themselves as a power in the NL East, he will have to become a complete hitter.

3. Ross Detwiler, left-handed starting pitcher, A+ Potomac

Detwiler, the class of the Nationals 2007 draft class, continued his standout play at Potomac in '08. Through 30 starts over the course of two years the 22-year-old lefty has showed he can dominate the Sally League. Detwiler brings wicked heat in the form of a 90-94 fastball and supplements that with a curve that is emerging into a average-above average pitch.

Throw in an average changeup, couple that with his outstanding poise and mound presence, and add a few pounds to his pitcher's frame and Detwiler has the makings of a No.1 or No.2 guy. He should get the bump to Harrisburg in '09 and provided he pitches well there he could be a late season call-up, but I would like to see him iron out his command issues (57 walks) while letting his progress dictate his standing.

4. Chris Marrero, first baseman-outfielder, A+ Potomac

Marrero is the class of the hitters in the Nationals' system. Which makes it even more of a shame that he missed half the season with a broken leg. The 19-year-old is one of the more polished hitters in the Nats system, despite his .250 average for the year.

He does tend to get a bit aggressive and swings at lots of pitches when slumping, but for the most part he has displayed an advanced hitters eye during his three years in the lower levels.

He should be ready for spring training and it will be interesting to see how the Nats brass play him, and where. He has shown the ability to play a decent outfield but many feel he has the makings of a first baseman down the line.

I tend to agree with those who argue that sentiment and I see Marrero capable of hitting for a decent average and power at the Major League level. He should start off at Double A, but it will be interesting to see where he finishes the season.

5. Collin Balester, right-handed starting pitcher, AAA Columbus

His struggles with the Nationals aside, Balester did everything the Nationals wanted him to in 2008. He dominated the International League, winning eight of his last ten starts before his call-up. Once there, however, Balester struggled to adjust to Major League hitters, finishing 3-7 in 15 starts with a 5.51 ERA. He stayed positive, though, and that will go a long way towards determining if he has the makings to stay in the Majors.

The Nats will give him every chance to prove his worth during Spring Training and he is the best bet to make the team from this list. Once he realizes that everyone gets shelled at first in the bigs, he'll settle down and become a fixture in this Nationals rotation.

The Best of the Rest (rounding out the top 10)

6. Justin Maxwell, outfielder, AA Harrisburg

7. Jack McGeary, left-handed starting pitcher, GCL Nats, NYPL Vermont

8. Roger Bernadina, outfielder, AA Harrisburg, AAA Columbus, MLB Nationals

9. Jake Smolinksi, outfielder, GCL Nats, NYPL Vermont, A Hagerstown

10. Garrett Mock, right-handed pitcher, AAA Columbus, MLB Nationals

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/65709-post-season-top-five-washington-nationals

[tomterp]

One article says Detwiler may go back to the Florida State league, the other one says he makes it to AA.

Detwiler showed improvement in A, he's not going down, that's really stupid to say at this point.  If he has a good first few weeks in Potomac, assuming he starts there, he'll be in Harrisburg pronto.

[JMUalumni]

One article says Detwiler may go back to the Florida State league, the other one says he makes it to AA.

Detwiler showed improvement in A, he's not going down, that's really stupid to say at this point.  If he has a good first few weeks in Potomac, assuming he starts there, he'll be in Harrisburg pronto.

Yeah, the Florida State League was a typo I believe.  I think the author got confused with the Carolina League.  He starts at Potomac or Harrisburg this year, most likely Harrisburg in my opinion.  In fact I think a lot of Potomac's team will be moving up to AA, although Burgess should stay put and I fully expect Marrero to have another whirl at High A.

[CALSGR8]

I think he'll start at Potomac to get more consistent.  Sometimes you can hear his pitches hit the glove a block away, other times he's in trouble.  At least during some of the playoffs he seemed that way.  Then get promoted to AA later in the season.

[sportsfan882]

I think if he keeps excelling in the AFL he'll start the year in Harrisburg. It's a big jump but they are hoping he can do it. After all he was drafted out of college and was supposed to move quickly through the system.

[tomterp]

It seems to be coming together for him now.  Keeping fingers crossed, we really need a another good starter aside from Zimmermann to be ready soon.

[blue911]

It seems to be coming together for him now.  Keeping fingers crossed, we really need a another good starter aside from Zimmermann to be ready soon.

Any idea how many more option years on Detwiler?

[JMUalumni]

Any idea how many more option years on Detwiler?

I believe he has two more option years.  He was on the 40-man roster last year (1), this year (2).  Assuming that he is on the 40-man roster next year, that will make three.  Also, the next year (2010), he will receive an additional option year since he has been a professional for less than 5 years.  Adding him to the 40-man roster could eventually come back to haunt the Nationals as they will now have less time to let him develop before their hands are forced.

[blue911]

I believe he has two more option years.  He was on the 40-man roster last year (1), this year (2).  Assuming that he is on the 40-man roster next year, that will make three.  Also, the next year (2010), he will receive an additional option year since he has been a professional for less than 5 years.  Adding him to the 40-man roster could eventually come back to haunt the Nationals as they will now have less time to let him develop before their hands are forced.

They sealed their own fate when they signed him to a MLB contract. When you think about it, that could have been Josh Whitesell's spot.