VIERA, Fla. -- The Nationals' annual accelerated development camp opened today, with 47 of the organization's top prospects (actually there are a couple of veterans in the group) participating. Basically, this is a chance for some guys to get a jump-start on the rest of the minor leaguers, who don't report until March 5 (pitchers and catchers) or March 9 (position players).
Couple of things that stood out to me: Brad Meyers, the organization's pitcher of the year in 2009, is listed among those players on rehab. I hadn't heard about any injury previously, but I'm looking into it and will report back if I hear anything. Also, Glenn Gibson (the pitcher who was traded to Tampa Bay in 2008 to acquire Elijah Dukes) is apparently back with the Nats' organization, something else I hadn't previously heard.
Here's the complete roster...
PITCHERS (23)
RHP Andrew Brown
LHP Mitchell Clegg
RHP Paul Demny
RHP Robinson Fabian
RHP Marcos Frias
LHP Glenn Gibson
LHP Graham Hicks
RHP Trevor Holder
LHP Chuck James
RHP Andrew Kown
RHP Patrick Lehman
RHP Jeff Mandel
RHP Rafael Martin
LHP Jack McGeary
LHP Tom Milone
RHP A.J. Morris
RHP Brad Peacock
LHP Daniel Rosenbaum
LHP Josh Smoker
LHP Mike Venafro
RHP Dean Weaver
RHP Josh Wilkie
RHP Colton Willems
CATCHERS (4)
C Sandy Leon
C Brian Peacock
C Sean Rooney
C Jhonatan Solano
INFIELDERS (10)
INF Justin Bloxom
INF Seth Bynum
INF Justin Cuevas
INF Danny Espinosa
INF Jeff Kobernus
INF Steve Lombardozzi
INF Chris Marrero
INF Tyler Moore
INF Francisco Soriano
INF Stephen Souza
OUTFIELDERS (7)
OF Michael Burgess
OF Mike Daniel
OF Leonard Davis
OF Destin Hood
OF Kevin Mench
OF Eury Perez
OF J.P. Ramirez
REHAB (3)
J.R. Higley
Chad Jenkins
Brad Meyers
Thanks Mark!
ReplyDeleteAndrew Brown and Rafael Martin are the only other names that appear new to me
Is it Andrew Kown?
I remember Smoker getting drafted pretty high - what is his story.
ReplyDeleteSmoker had shoulder surgery after the 2008 season and pretty much had a lost 2009 season developmentally
ReplyDeleteHopefully he is healthier in 2010
Brad Meyers I believe has a toe/foot problem. Interested to see how he does this season. Mark, of the players in the accelerated program your thoughts on Tom Milone and Sean Rooney. Milone really had a great end to his season last year and Rooney had a great start at Potomac and then struggled in AA. He did get to play in Arizona, is he regarded as a better prospect than Ivany, Solano, Peacock? I know we have some higher rated CA in A ball and lower.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Per what I've heard, Solano is one of the better defensive catchers in the organization.
ReplyDeleteMark,
ReplyDeleteMeyers had surgery late Dec/early Jan and everything is now "awesome"
Wasn't Colton Willems drafted 1st? He's still young though ... drafted out of high school. What's the line on him?
ReplyDeleteIsn't Brown the RP that was involved with the Milton Bradley deals?
ReplyDeleteRafael Martin looks like a 26 year old RP from the Mexican league AAA level?
ReplyDeleteI have happy memories of Solano's two-out blast to tie things up in the 9th inning of game 3 of the Carolina League Championship series. The P-Nats went on to win the game with a bases-loaded walk in the 10th. Good times.
ReplyDeleteMark,
ReplyDeleteDo you know if regular season radio coverage has been finalized yet? I am hoping the Nats will be broadcast on a fm station this year.
thanks-
it's funny what seeing an old name pop up reminds you of. i remember way back, i think it was stephen on capitol hill who was saying that trading glenn gybson for dukes was going to come back to haunt us because he was pitching so well in vermont...
ReplyDeleteHey 4:08PM
ReplyDeleteI think I heard Stan say at Nats Fest that the radio deal had one more year to go and then he would look for a station with a strong signal.
Odd, sort of related question:
ReplyDeleteOn the subject of minor league pitchers, whatever happened to Pat Venditte? As of May 2009, he was pitching for the Yankees single-A club in Charleston, but that's the last I heard of him.
I think Brown was with the Padres, then came to the A's. He pitched with them in 08 but was hurt last year.
ReplyDeleteYou left out LHP Graham Hicks who reported today.
ReplyDeleteMeyers had surgery late Dec/early Jan and everything is now "awesome"
ReplyDeleteThat's what she said.
So, we now know we got Elijah Dukes for nothing at all. Please, please, Elijah- make yourself a legacy for Jim Bowden that we have to celebrate in spite of our disappointment.
ReplyDeleteActually the "awesome" is a quote from Meyers
ReplyDeleteIn other news, I picked up the USA Today NL Spring Training preview this afternoon and noticed that the NL Central articles were all done by TMZ (The Mark Zuckerman). Congrats on the additional ink, Mr. Z!
ReplyDeleteI believe that was a joke, son (or daughter, as the case may be).
ReplyDelete---
Actually the "awesome" is a quote from Meyers
Glad to see E. Perez get an invite...I have high hopes for him.
ReplyDeleteDisapointed Catcher A. Nieto didn't get invited
Let's try this Andrew Brown:
ReplyDeleteLast w/Oakland A's
Full Name: Andrew Aaron Brown
Born: February 17, 1981 in Chardon, OH
Height: 6' 6''
Weight: 230
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
College: N/A
MLB Debut: August 13, 2006
For NatsGirl:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/V/Pat-Venditte.shtml
Pat was promoted to A+ League (think Potomac equivalent). He should either start there or at Trenton.
Mark, what are your thoughts on Jhonatan Solano?
ReplyDeleteMark,
ReplyDeleteDo you, or anyone else for that matter, know what Jack McGeary's education status is? Has he graduated Stanford yet? Will be be playing a full season of baseball this year, and if so, at what level? If not, will he graduate in time to play in the Arizona fall league or perhaps winter ball?
Glad MLB has come up with a way to detect HGH in test. They will start testing in the Minors.
ReplyDelete