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US Presswire photo Anthony Rendon made a nice impression in his first big-league camp. |
Rendon and Purke were optioned to high-Class A Potomac, with infielder Carlos Rivero optioned to Class AAA Syracuse. Outfielders Corey Brown and Xavier Paul, infielder Jarrett Hoffpauir, catcher Sandy Leon and right-handers Rafael Martin and Austin Bibens-Dirkx all were reassigned to minor-league camp.
None of the moves were surprises, though Rendon and Purke made nice impressions during their brief stints in big-league camp only nine months after each was drafted out of college.
Rendon, the sixth overall pick in the draft, went 3-for-13 with three doubles and an RBI in eight Grapefruit League games. The former Rice third baseman also saw game action at shortstop and worked with manager Davey Johnson at second base as the organization tries to figure out where he'll wind up after signing Ryan Zimmerman through 2019.
Purke, a third-round pick out of TCU, got a chance to start the Nationals' exhibition opener against Georgetown and then made two relief appearances against big-league opponents, including this afternoon against the Cardinals. The left-hander tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out St. Louis slugger Matt Holliday, and was credited with the win.
Among today's other cuts, Brown stood out with a particularly strong performance in camp. The 26-year-old outfielder (acquired last winter with reliever Henry Rodriguez in the Josh Willingham trade) went 7-for-17 with a homer and three RBI and made several nice plays in the field.
The moves leave the Nationals' spring training roster at 45, though that includes two players who will open the season on the disabled list: first baseman Chris Marrero and reliever Cole Kimball.
67 comments:
I take it that Rendon, Purke, and Rivero had to be optioned because they are on the 40-man roster while the others aren't. But does the choice of where to option them dictate where they will open the season, or could they end up in Harrisburg when the season starts?
Ozzie ejected during a Red Sox game. How mad can you get in Spring Training?
Definitely going to making it Manassas this summer.
Brad Lidge goes insane:
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/12/brad-lidge-says-nationals-are-probably-the-most-talented-team-ive-ever-been-on/
Is Brown signed to a minor league contract? Or is he an unrestricted free agent? I'm not sure what his status is now.
A shame Brown was disposed of so quickly. 8 games to show he may have belonged with 2 highlight reel catches, a HR and a bunch of RBIs. More than I think Ankiel will produce.
Looks like Eury Perez survives 1st round.
Section 222 said...
I take it that Rendon, Purke, and Rivero had to be optioned because they are on the 40-man roster while the others aren't. But does the choice of where to option them dictate where they will open the season, or could they end up in Harrisburg when the season starts?
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Sounds to me like they are skipping over Low A and starting the season in High A.
I'm glad that Purke was able to sit down Matt Holiday. That must take a little of the sting out of this inevitable move.
How long do we expect to see Harper playing with the Big Kids? Any guesses?
#AdamKilgoreWP Davey exceedingly complimentary of Corey Brown. "I told him if he keeps doing the things he's doing, we won't have to look for a CFer."
So, I guess Brown didn't impress Mark?
Nice article, TConstant! Thanks for the link.
Brown is on a minor league contract. He cleared waivers when we took him off the 40 man roster and we have him for the year. Not sure how it works if we need him on the big club. Obviously we then have to put him on our 40 man/25 man and I am guessing he will still not have options at that time. I am also just a little upset he was cut but its all about making decisions on who you are bringing north and I guess it was decided early that he was not in that mix. Someone else compared it to a 15 upsetting a 2 and that is just about right. Still think he can help us.
But does the choice of where to option them dictate where they will open the season, or could they end up in Harrisburg when the season starts?
It works just like little league ... you get moved to the team appropriate to your skill level.
Brown is going to Syracuse as are the veterans on the reassignment list. He's reached AAA level.
Rendon and Purke are just starting their minor league careers. Placing them Potomac is a promotion. Perhaps joined by Brian Goodwin. The Nats may not have an offense but Woodbridge sure specs out to have a doozy.
I am also just a little upset he was cut but its all about making decisions on who you are bringing north and I guess it was decided early that he was not in that mix.
Actually, for Brown its a good thing apparently because here's what Dave had to say:
#acomack Davey was extremely complimentary of Corey Brown. Said if he keeps doing the things he's capable of "we don't have to look for a CF.
Johnson is known for speaking his mind. It seems to mean Brown **IS** the starting CF in Syracuse and he will be one of the first recalled if his performance warrants it. He has to play everyday because apparently Johnson does not see him as a bench player as he does Ankiel, Bernadina and even Perez.
From Federal Baseball's Nats site:
" Nats' skipper Davey Johnson did tell reporters that Corey Brown, (who was 2 for 4 with 2 RBI singles today and was 5 for 16 with a HR and a double so far this Spring, impressing everyone defensively in the last few days), was on the right track so far this year after dealing with health issues in 2011 in his first season in Washington following the trade that sent Josh Willingham to Oakland last winter. "'I told him if he keeps doing the things he's doing,'" Johnson told reporters including the Washington Post's Adam Kilgore, "'We won't have to look for a CFer.'"
Maybe Rizzo knew what he was doing getting this guy and HRod for the Hammer.
#acomak: Outfielder Corey Brown, who Nationals manager Davey Johnson singled out as "the guy that impressed me most," was also sent to minor league camp,
The Blue Wahoos have apparently caught a 'Riggler'.
http://www.splashpensacolabeach.com/news/2012-01-05/Happenings/Blue_Wahoos_have_their_Riggleman.html
Nice comments on Brown. Thanks to all who included them. I will not be taking the trip to Syracuse this summer but might just have to hit our other 3 teams. Have we ever had this much talent before?
Great thing about Harrisburg besides what I hear is a great stadium, is the number of quality breweries nearby.
Go Nats
I will have to get to Woodbridge more often this year, as well. However, they may not stay there more than half the year.
As for Brown and the Willingham trade, I am trying to remember whether the A's will get a draft pick from the Twins for losing him in free agency. It seems that we did well in that trade, getting years of Rodriguez and Brown (even after a release) for a single year of the good ol' Hammer.
And hey, Morse had a double today. Maybe this is a good labrum sign.
+1/2St.
Agree - nice comments on Brown, and yeah, I think we can all agree it would be a great thing if he hits at a .412 clip over a significant # of ABs.
Anon @5:18 said:
It works just like little league ... you get moved to the team appropriate to your skill level.
Brown is going to Syracuse as are the veterans on the reassignment list. He's reached AAA level.
Rendon and Purke are just starting their minor league careers. Placing them Potomac is a promotion.
You seem very sure of yourself, but note that Brown hasn't been optioned to a specific team and doesn't need to be optioned because he wasn't on the 40 man roster. I agree he's probably destined for Syracuse, but right now it's not at all clear that all of the players who were sent to minor league camp are headed to AAA. Some could go elsewhere, depending on how they perform during the rest of spring training, right? So my question remains -- does the fact that Rendon and Purke were optioned to Potomac mean that a decision has been made to start them there, or are they possibly headed to Harrisburg (or maybe to Hagerstown) based on their performance for the rest of the spring?
It seems to mean Brown **IS** the starting CF in Syracuse and he will be one of the first recalled if his performance warrants it.
It seems to mean Brown **IS** the starting CF in Syracuse and he will be one of the first recalled if his performance warrants it.
That part of my last comment was a quote from Anon@5:21. I was going to comment on it too, and forgot I had copied it into my comment. Oops. Need a proofreader.
It certainly seems plausible that Brown will play CF in Syracuse. As to whether he is one of the first recalled would seem to depend more on the play of Bernadina, Ankiel, and um, Harper, than anything else.
"Natsinsider coverage too often seems biased said...
#AdamKilgoreWP Davey exceedingly complimentary of Corey Brown. "I told him if he keeps doing the things he's doing, we won't have to look for a CFer."
So, I guess Brown didn't impress Mark?
March 12, 2012 5:14 PM
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Don't get your comment... Mark was very complementary, above...
So, have any of our traveling Insiders seen the great horned owl at Space Coast stadium? I recall seeing the osprey when were were there last spring.
natsfan1a.....the osprey has moved its nest to the light tower behind first base while the owl has taken to the tower in right center field.
#acomak: Outfielder Corey Brown, who Nationals manager Davey Johnson singled out as "the guy that impressed me most," was also sent to minor league camp
Add me to the list of those who was impressed. I think Corey has a higher ceiling than Rick Ankiel and surprised Davey didn't want to see more.
Baseball is certainly a career of perseverance and Michael Morse is a testament to that.
Thanks, NatsJack.
Cory Brown was not going to make this club out of camp. He has, however proved to the brain trust that he deserves a chance to be an everyday center fielder at the AAA level. Since he has yet to prove himself at this level, this would be his big chance. Is he for real or a Ryan Langerhans? The next 10 weeks are huge for hom.
him.
1/2 street - not sure Morse has problems with his labrum - it was reported to be a Lat (latisimus dorsi to be exact) problem which is a basic muscle issue and nothing to do with any joint. Nice to see Davey not pushing these guys and maybe even nicer is that they don't feel the need to "play through" the pain. Its a big trust issue that these guys can actually communicate with Davey. There are a huge number of players (especially pitchers) who play in pain and try and work through things only to have it get worse. See LaRoche last year with Riggleman.
All those stressing over LaRoche this spring as he worked through his shoulder surgery and ankle sprain, Werth with his back spasms and Harper with his tight gastroc (calf) need to understand just how much effort a professional athlete exerts making difficult skills look easy. We will have other injuries, its part of the game. We just have to hope they are not critical and that Rizzo has enough reserves to handle whatever happens. So far, I am impressed.
NatsJack, enjoyed the Corey Brown "Is he for real or a Ryan Langerhans?" I am still wondering that on Rick Ankiel.
MLB tonight has peter gammons with Stras
Brown had three ABs w/ the Nats last fall, and I think never made the A's ML roster at all. So, however he might compare to Ankiel, he has no ML experience and (A) would not start ahead of Ankiel/Bernadina/Carroll and (B) would not improve sitting on the bench. I'm not certain exactly when Johnson envisions him in CF but if you told Brown he had an opportunity to compete for the starting job next Spring he'd probably say, "Good enuf for me."
That's the Spirit!!
NatsJack,
Saw the bird's nest above the light tower and wondered if it was a pelican. Glad to know it was an owl. Also, saw you at the ballpark but was in nosebleed in front of the reporters section. Will also be there tomorrow and hope to track you down. I'm in heaven at spring training.
Theophilus, using your logic than Bryce Harper wouldn't start ahead of those outfielders.
Yes, Brown is not a proven commodity but maybe you keep giving him some Spring Training at-bats and see if he can move ahead of Ankiel who is a non-roster invitee.
Nobody says Brown would be the starter however he may grab the last bench spot.
NatsNut - you and I agree on two things. 1. the nationals have not been great at giving the public the entire story on various injuries. 2. In my 40 years of coaching, we never used a cortisone shot on a muscle injury, they were used 100% on joint type injuries, and as Natslady said in an early post, they are really hit or miss.
Positively Half St. said:
"And hey, Morse had a double today. Maybe this is a good labrum sign."
I'll assume you meant it was a good Latissimus Dorsi sign.
http://polldaddy.com/poll/6032925/
Ladson is running a Poll on Opening Day starter
So for you wiser baseball minds than mine--why does Perez survive longer in major league camp than Brown?
Because he's a righty? Because he's younger and has never played above A ball? Because "P" is later in the alphabet than "B"?
When we talked about the aging Braves and Phillies, Chipper looked close to the end last year.
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/jon-heyman/17755259/scouts-concur-with-chipper-end-isnt-far-for-future-hall-of-famer
HHover said...
So for you wiser baseball minds than mine--why does Perez survive longer in major league camp than Brown?
Because he's a righty? Because he's younger and has never played above A ball? Because "P" is later in the alphabet than "B"?
March 12, 2012 9:10 PM
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Eury Perez is a right-handed outfielder and Davey and Rizzo are giving him a few more days. He would be a HUGE long-shot but keep in mind, he is on the 40 man roster.
His hit off of Verlander was impressive. They changed his swing to a more compact swing and supposedly he bulked up from super skinny to adding some muscle.
And did I tell you he owns Justin Verlander?
http://www.natsenquirer.com/2012/03/eury-perez-owns-justin-verlander-washington-nationals.html
Good for Riggleman. Just hope for the team's sake they gave him at least a two year contract. Just sayin....
Tyler Moore is impressing also and still up. 18 more cuts to go.
Gonatsgo -- I like Perez a Lot, too, but the kid idn't nearly ready for the show. May have looked good against Verlander one day but was totally outclassed in his two K's against Westbrook vs the Cards yesterday.
Sorry Gonat -- stupid autocorrect thought you were the other guy!
Happened to be at the Red Sox-Marlins game today when Ozzie got thrown out. He put on quite a show--he was ejected at first base and took a stroll all the way around the infield on his way out, accompanied by laughs and cheers from the Sox faithful. In Viera now and will catch the next five Nats games.
Ozzie was just getting his work in. Sounds like he's in mid-season form. Best shape of his life.
I think Brown reestablishes himself in the orgnization, which after a year of injuries he needed. Lets see what he can do now and Lord knows the one position you make this team on is the outfield so if he continues to impress a spot will open.
Section 222, the only true prospects left with the major league ST camp ARE three guys on the 40-man, Tyler Moore, Stephen Lombardozzi, and Eury Perez. Although they did option Rendon and Purke, they also optioned Carlos Rivero to Syracuse? That's TWO DIFFERENT MINOR league teams! One is A+ and the other is AAA? What does that tell you?
They aren't' going to reassign Purke and Rendon to Hagerstown that would be a big demotion ... unless they felt it was needed for their development. They aren't going to advance them to AA because that's an advanced league of major league ready players and they need to first master A ball. Its possible they will meet David Freitas and Blake Kelso there. Brian Goodwin seems destined for Hagerstown but he too might prove advanced enough for Potomac.
The rest of the guys cut today (with the exception of Brown) were free agent pickups signed to minor league contracts who will likely fill out the rosters of Syracuse and Harrisburg. They will be assigned as needed given that they are for the most part, filler at this point.
Isn't Harper a prospect still?
I have a question, which will probably never be answered, but, whiskeytangohotel: how many of the anonomi here are somebody's agent, rep, or the player his-own-self? Been wondering for a while now.
Sec3, interesting question that will probably never be answered. I don't find many of the Anonymous posts to be much more than Periculum or haters. Sure, occasionally you find some decent Anonomi posts.
I have a question, which will probably never be answered, but, whiskeytangohotel: how many of the anonomi here are somebody's agent, rep, or the player his-own-self? Been wondering for a while now.
Don't flatter yourself by thinking that any player, agent or rep is posting on this blog. They are unlikely to even be reading the blog, much less the comments. Maybe a family member might wander in here on occasion, but that too is doubtful.
Since we're speculating, maybe some of the above, and a few family members as well? What the hey, let's add in some current staffers and/or scouts, some disgruntled former staffers and/or scouts, some representatives of would-be team owners who didn't make the cut. Add in some fan bloggers for good measure, and maybe a an under cover journalist or two. None of that would surprise me. Then, of course, you've got the rest of us armchair GMs or just plain Nats fans.
Sec 3, My Sofa said...
I have a question, which will probably never be answered, but, whiskeytangohotel: how many of the anonomi here are somebody's agent, rep, or the player his-own-self? Been wondering for a while now.
March 13, 2012 12:36 AM
Pick one. I'm gonna go ahead and go with "an."
natsfan1a said...
maybe a an
Sec 3/1A.. I know the ticket office reads the site, not sure if they comment. I posted a comment here on the Take back the park initiative and how helpful they were. They sent me an email about my comment.
MicheleS said...
Sec 3/1A.. I know the ticket office reads the site, not sure if they comment. I posted a comment here on the Take back the park initiative and how helpful they were. They sent me an email about my comment.
Really? You don't post here with a Blogger profile. How could they possibly know your email address from reading a comment you made here?
Good question!
Opening day starter - Gio G.
I agree. Gio is looking the strongest right now out of the choices for opening day starter. At the beginning of ST, I would have voted for J. Zim, but he has been a little slow out of the gate.
Count me in for Gio as the opening day starter. Unless, I suppose, Strasburg somehow figures out how to keep it together for more than two innings in a row, something i dont see happening in the immediate future with that guy ...
They figured it out, because I mentioned the person in the Ticket Office by Name about 10 minutes after I talked to him.
I was wondering how they knew it, too. Thanks for clarifying.
I was at Cards game on Monday and saw Brown make a diving catch in left and then threw a strike to LaRoche to double off the runner. Impreswsive! he will be returning soon.
Just because Rendon and Purke have been sent to Potomac, that isn't always set in stone. Those guys are moved around also. So lets say Rendon goes down to the minor league camp and burns it up these last few weeks, he could easily end up in Harrisburg. And vice versa, a poor performance could drop him to Hagerstown
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