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EaglesFan5-36-81 · Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2007 7:22 pm Post subject: Washington Nationals Thread

I. Top Priorities

1.) Get Veteran Power Bat

The Nats field the youngest team in the majors, and through various trades, have also added depth to their farm system. The one mistake they did make is not getting any value for Alfonso Soriano, however, they really wanted to resign him though, so you can’t fault them too much. They have Ryan Zimmerman, Austin Kearns, and Felipe Lopez, but they are pretty young, and they could use a veteran big bat in the middle of their lineup. If they decide to spend the money, I think Adam Dunn would be an ideal fit, as he has huge power, and would reunite him with Kearns and Lopez.

Look For
Adam Dunn- He is a Left Handed Power bat, get him and hit Zimmerman in the 5 spot, that should be a very potent heart of the order.

2. Starting Pitching Help

They have some quality pitchers in the farm system, but in the best case scenario, they won’t be ready until late this year, and most likely mid next year. They need too add some pitchers to be respectable, and keep the seat warm for their prospects coming up,

Look For
Paul Byrd-He has always been a solid starter and could add a respectable starter to the Nats rotation.
Not a power pitcher, but he gets outs. Nearly threw a no hitter earlier this year, until the game was called due to snow.

3. Bullpen Help

They have Chad Cordero, but he has not had his A game this year, he has been ok, but he is the only pitcher in their pen that has a sub 3.50 era. They need to find a setup man and a middle reliever. They could also use a lefty specialist.

Look For
Scott Linebrink-Could be a good setup man for Cordero, and may be attracted to a pitcher’s park in RFK stadium.

II Top 3 Prospects

1.) Chris Marrero SS/3B/LF Opa Locka Florida-This guy has drawn comparisons to A-rod and Pujols for his plate awareness and hitting ability and power. In Low A he hit .293 with 14 homeruns and 53 RBI. This guy’s ceiling is unlimited.

2.) Collin Balester RHP Hunting Beach California-Last year after being moved to AA he is 1-0 with a 1.83 ERA in 3 starts. He has 10 Ks in 19 2/3 innings, so he isn’t a big K guy, but he gets guys out, which is what this game is all about. Doesn’t have great stuff, but knows how to use his stuff to get outs.

3.) Colton Willems RHP John Caroll Florida-This guy is the exact opposite as Balester, he may be the better prospect long term, and has better stuff, but Balester is more MLB ready. Despite that Willems stuff is downright nasty, but he is yet to put it all together, but when he does, he my be a viable ace for this team.

SmithToGinnTD · Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Posts: 4306

I could see the Nationals getting a pitcher like Paul Byrd but I couldn't see the Indians getting rid of him... I think he is still signed for 2 more seasons and has more wins than walks this season, including ZERO non-intentional walks in his last 72 IP.
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EaglesFan5-36-81 · Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2007 9:24 pm Post subject:

eaglesfan536890 · Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 12:50 am Post subject:

They definitely need to add all of that,and I always enjoy reading the top prospects on each team,once agin great post,keep up the GREAT work.
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STaylorFan · Joined: 08 Jan 2006 Posts: 755 Location: Silver Spring

Great post...I agree that we do need a power bat and some starting pitching but our bull pen has been one of the strongest parts of the team this year. Consistently having to make spot starts or comming in early due to our SP not making quality starts our BP has done an admirable job this year. Jon Rauch has performed well as a set up man for Cordero as well. While we didn't trade Soriano at the deadline we did eventually get prospects for him using our supplemental picks(Josh Smoker[not signed yet but likely will sign], Jordan Zimmerman[pitching well in Short Season Vermont])

As far as our prospects are concerned here's a great sight that covers our farm: http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/

Here is a list of our top 30 prospects:
http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/page/4/

All of our best prospects are really in Advanced A and below right now due to the fact that MLB ravaged our farm system and new management has only had three drafts to begin to rectify the problem and We didn't have ownership till last year so our first real draft with real money was this year and so far our draft class is looking among the top in MLB.

My top 3 are:
1. Chris Marrero: lit it up in Low A Hagerstown as the original poster has said and has continued to do the same in Potomac.
2. Ross Detwiler SP: #6 overall pick of the 2007 draft. Already has low-mid 90's fast ball which should increase when we add some muscle to his wirery frame. Has a dominant curve ball and a good change up too.
3. Glenn Gibson SP: Right now is pitching in Short Season Vermont came out of the same draft class as Willems and is comming straight out of HS as well yet he's pitching better and has great stuff as well.

Honorable Mention:
Collin Ballester SP
Colton Willems SP
Esmailyn Gonzalez SS-International signing from last year said to have loads of potential but is only doing average in the GCL right now.
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DawgX · Joined: 08 Aug 2006 Posts: 12358 Location: Cleveland, OH

The Nationals do have potential. But their starting pitching has just been ugly.

Ryan Zimmerman is a stud, and he's one of the best players in the entire league.

Kory Casto has some promise, but he wasn't good when he played at the beginning of the season. Does anyone know where he's playing? I know last season he was playing for the Harrisburg Senators.

If their talented pitchers can stay healthy, they should improve. But they still need to add someone badly to their rotation.
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STaylorFan · Joined: 08 Jan 2006 Posts: 755 Location: Silver Spring

very true we don't have any stud pitchers currently in the majors. Even if all our pitchers were healthy we'd still have no legit Ace in our rotation. John Patterson and Shawn Hill are both injury plagued. Hill being younger I still have hope the guy maybe being part of the rotation Patterson I think we should move on from that project. Jason Bergman and Matt Chico have potential to be good back of the rotation guys in the future.

Totally agree with you on Zimmerman alot of ppl don't realize he's only 22 years old.

Jesus Flores is another good youngster we have in the majors got him in the Rule 5 draft from the Mets looks to be our future catcher.

Kasto is playing at Triple A columbus right now. But the fact that he's playing 3B down there shows to me that club isn't looking for him in the future since Zimmerman is already playing third in the Majors.
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Brandon Jacobs: "The NFL needs safeties like him, the way he hits, it sets the tone. Me, myself, I'm not going to allow the tone to get set by him hitting me like that."

cjackson17 · Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 55

go milledge
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Slateman · Joined: 13 Nov 2006 Posts: 10361

I thought Detweiller and Ballester were the top pitching prospects . . . ?`

Jeezy Fanatic · Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 7:28 pm Post subject:

I can't wait for the game Sunday. I spent money to buy tickets and plane tickets from Miami so I could see the first game in Nationals Park. I can't wait!!!
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Slateman · Joined: 13 Nov 2006 Posts: 10361

They just sent Detwiler to the minors. I don't know about Willems or Balester, but I would expect to see all three before the All Star Break.

The Nats seriously have terrible starting pitching. Patterson was released and Shaun Hill is starting the season on the DL.

kgarrett12486 · Joined: 22 Jan 2007 Posts: 11979 Location: Busch III

wethekings · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 9:24 pm Post subject:

Well out of the steps of rebuilding:

1. Realize your team needs a fresh start[1 year]
2. Stockpile prospects[4 years long]
3.Win again for 6 years then restart at one.[6 years]

We are in the begginning of two so it will be 3 more years til real good stuff happens.
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SoxNats07 · Joined: 21 Jul 2007 Posts: 10012

come on nationals fans i had to go to page 3 to find this...

we won 4 straight before last night, where are you guys?
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fersaltiel · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 455

I am here. Huge Nationals fan but I post on other boards. Let's hope we can beat the Pirates tomorrow to close a 3-1 series and 8-3 homestand and be only 4 games away from .500 with games against the Astros and the Marlins coming up! Laughing

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