The Nationals have promoted Anthony Rendon to Class AA Harrisburg, moving their top prospect up a level only one week after he returned from a major ankle injury.Rendon, the sixth overall pick in last summer's draft, began his professional career at Class A Potomac but fractured his right ankle in his second game and missed the next 3 1/2 months.
The 22-year-old third baseman played in 13 rehab games in the rookie Gulf Coast League and at short-season Class A Auburn, then was activated off the disabled list and rejoin the roster at Potomac last week.
In only seven games with the P-Nats, he went 7-for-23 with a double, two triples and three walks, prompting the Nationals to bump him up a level to Class AA.
Rendon was widely considered the top amateur talent in the country prior to the 2011 draft, but his stock fell after an injury-plagued season at Rice University and he dropped to the Nationals' draft position at No. 6.
To fill the roster spot Rendon held at Potomac, the Nationals promoted fellow third baseman Matt Skole from low-Class A Hagerstown. The 23-year-old tore up the South Atlantic League this season, hitting .286 with 27 homers and 92 RBI in 101 games.
98 comments:
Crap. Rice grad Cunegonde and I were planning on going to a PNats game, get her Rice Owls cap autographed...
Oh well... Former Owl Rick Hague is still in Woodbridge, probably not gonna get promoted soon with a .670 OPS.
You've got former Owl and fellow teammate Craig Manual a catcher in Auburn who might be there soon enough as well.
Candide, the Sens will be in Bowie and Richmond later in the month.
This is interesting. Career .266 hitter has a career BABip of .326 over ten seasons, so not a fluke. Speaks to speed, of course, but also ability to place the ball, hit in gaps and recognize what fielders are going to do.
Watching this particular player, I see strikeouts, of course. I also see "productive outs" like RBI grounders, or grounders that advance runners, etc. I see a smart hitter. That's just me, of course.
High BABip hitters
http://www.highheatstats.com/
Don't believe me that a Rendon September callup ain't gonna happen? Try some Kilgore on for size.
"Because Rendon signed a major league contract out of the draft and is on the Nationals’ 40-man roster, he would be eligible to be called up in September. That seems highly unlikely, though, even with the promotion."
http://www.riceowls.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/rendon_anthony00.html
For anyone who wants to see Rendon's resumé. His coach once said he was a better hitting prospect than Lance Berkman as he coached them both.
Laddie Blah Blah said...
Skole is 23, but so is Rendon,
Laddie, you are really bringing it today. Another good post! One correction, Rendon just turned 22 in June.
Don't September callups burn an option? Or do they no count, since the minors' season is over?
pRAA with the ISO said...
Don't believe me that a Rendon September callup ain't gonna happen? Try some Kilgore on for size.
"Because Rendon signed a major league contract out of the draft and is on the Nationals’ 40-man roster, he would be eligible to be called up in September. That seems highly unlikely, though, even with the promotion."
It is unlikely as it could happen if he does real well. Not too different than what I said earlier.
Ghost Of Steve M. said...
Yep, Rendon is on the 40 man. Could happen. Best man to give RZim a day off.
August 14, 2012 10:19 AM
Could happen. Didn't ever say will happen or should happen.
Don't believe me that a Rendon September callup ain't gonna happen? Try some Kilgore on for size.
Its not like Kilgore hasn't often been wrong ... mr. peric's meme.
He will be called up in September so that Davey can get a close look at him before the offseason. Again, for those like my "meme" who aren't following? This team is built to win in the present but also with the future always clearly in mind. There is NO ONE AND DONE Giggleman's Cub's philosophy here. Yes, all of you Nats players if Rizzo has anything to do with it, you will see more than one world series with Stras.
And an infield of Rendon, Desmond, Espinosa, and Zimmerman says that in spades.
And if Rizzo and his "plans" are so awful Bowel movement Bowden, Eckersley et al? The why is every team in the world copying him?
NatsJack in Florida said...
Just watched Lucas Giolito pitch his second inning of pro ball here at Space Coast Stadium.
2 hits, 1 run, 1k, no walks. 21 pitches and he's done for the day. They obviously are starting him off slowly.
That's quite the debut you got to see! Any readings on his fastball?
Don't September callups burn an option? Or do they no count, since the minors' season is over?
Options are yearly sec3. They already had to burn one by optioning Rendon to the minors. Since there are only a limited number its why agents of top prospects in the draft ask for them ... it forces a club to use them immediately and not wait maintaining control far longer.
Zofa - I also was wondering about options but if Rendon is as good as advertised it probably won't matter. I mean, I guess Ryan Zimmerman still has options.
Go Nats!!
Stay healthy kid.
NatsJack, I like that. 96 in a first time out is impressive. Could you gauge the movement on his 4 seamer.
Second that, Michele. (Now, where's that bubble wrap?)
Peric,
The problem with your theory is that there is a lineup of players ready to play 1st base including: Morse and Moore. So if you believe that Brown/Perez/Goodwin will make their way into the lineup in short order where exactly are you playing Morse and Moore?
Seattle traded Cliff Lee to Texas for Justin Smoak? Are you 100% sure that next July 31st the Nats won't be in position to convert Rendon into the 1 pitcher that takes them back to the playoffs? I'm not.
I'm with peric on King Felix. Not saying it couldn't happen, but there are a few obstacles.
(1) Seattle would have to be willing to trade him. Are they? They are making noises like they might give him a Colbert-type deal, especially now that Ichiro is gone. They are not the Astros, they are not in total rebuild mode. So assuming that they would trade him for the "biggest haul" might not be correct, you would have to see what their needs are.
You aren't getting him for minor-league guys, you would have to throw in Detwiler and some position players, maybe five or six players altogether. That is a lot for a pitcher--who could get injured. Also, I don't know what they can get from Japan--but I bet they do.
This is the type of deal people think Rizzo almost made for Greinke, and we all say "whew" when we think of it. (Although it's been pretty much shot down--players might have been mentioned, but not all of them in one deal).
(2) The whole point of getting him would be to sign him immediately to a multi-year contract as we did with Gio. Do we know he wants that? Why wouldn't he test free agency? We would have to offer him, again, Colbert-level money and years, and that is tying up a lot of dough.
That's a lot of guys and a lot of money, when our need is not that great. We have the basis--Stras, Gio, JZ and Det. We need No 3 - 5 types. No need to shoot the budget for ANOTHER number 1.
OK, so I got unlazy enough to answer my own question.
"Once a player has been placed on a team's 40-man roster, a team has 3 option years on that player. A player is considered to have used one of those three option years when he spends at least 20 days in the minors in any of those 3 seasons."
Since September callups are on the 40-man, then yes, they would burn an option if they weren't already on the 40-man roster to begin with.
In Rendon's case, of course, he was already on it, and I'm pretty sure he's spent, or will have spent by 9/1, 20 days on the active roster in the minors, which is what burns the option, not the time in the Show.
So the answer is "sometimes."
MicheleS said...
Stay healthy kid.
I liked someone using the Dos Equis guy's famous saying and subsituting "healthy" for "thirsty".
Stay healthy my friend(s).
sjm, Ryan has 5 years of MLB service time, so options are moot--he would have to consent.
NatsLady, there is a list of untouchables and they start with Stras, JZim, and Gio. By their salary, Werth and Zimmerman. Then there is Bryce Harper.
I think every other player is a possibility in the right package because of the Nats depth.
I rate King Felix way above Greinke and a move to the NL would make Felix the best pitcher in the NL. It also makes the Nats the odds on favorite for the 2013 and 2014 World Series if they got him
-but-
at what cost. What do you have to give up. Can give up 2 middle infielders. Can't give up more than 3 prospects.
Seattle will weigh their options but keep in mind he jumps from $12.5 mill this year to $19.5 next year. I don't give the Nats great odds to pull it off but don't underestimate Rizzo.
Zofa - I was aware of that but thanks. My point was. and I should have been more direct, that once Zimm got up here he was not going anywhere and that is my hope for Rendon as well. From what I hear, he is just a special player and if the injuries can be avoided he will be the next in-line for our fans to gush over. I mean, we have an overload right now. SS, Zimmnn, Gio, Desmond, Zimm, Harper, Espinosa, but I can always add another.
Go Nats!!
NatsJack in Florida said...
That 96 waa tops. Most were 92-94.
NatsJack in Florida said...
although the more I watch this kid operate the gun, the results may be questionable
Hopefully throwing free & easy 94
Regarding Detwiler plus prospects for King Felix - I would do that deal in a heartbeat. There would not even be any need to sign him to an expensive extension as he is under contract for two more years. In fact, I saw an article recently which demonstrated that NOT giving Felix his next big contract would be a wise move given that with his age and number of innings pitched he is a strong candidate to regress quickly after age 30.
But for those next two seasons the Nats rotation would be truly WOW.
natsjack - where on the concourse?
Seattle traded Cliff Lee to Texas for Justin Smoak? Are you 100% sure that next July 31st the Nats won't be in position to convert Rendon into the 1 pitcher that takes them back to the playoffs? I'm not.
You're comparing the so-called best hitter in college baseball in over a decade to Justin Smoak! Puhhhleeeeeessseeee! And he's a gold glove in the offing? This guy was Strasburg until he got hurt. The injury let him fall to the Nats. As sjm308 said this guy is a special player perhaps at a higher level than Harper AND he is better in the field than Harper. Harper's big advantage is the age disparity.
They aren't going to trade Rendon they would never get the value because of his injury history.
kk, I think it would take more than Detwiler and prospects, that would be the starting point. True, he's signed through 2014, and that affects the calculation, but that also increases what you have to give for him. Mega-bidding war, that's for sure, and isn't the Texas system pretty stacked?
So, who would be The Most Interesting Nat in the World? :-)
Ghost Of Steve M. said...
I liked someone using the Dos Equis guy's famous saying and subsituting "healthy" for "thirsty".
Stay healthy my friend(s).
August 14, 2012 12:45 PM
natsfan1a, in my world its Davey.
Seattle will weigh their options but keep in mind he jumps from $12.5 mill this year to $19.5 next year. I don't give the Nats great odds to pull it off but don't underestimate Rizzo.
And Rizzo can now afford to wait until he is a free agent. He has plenty of starting pitching and then some. That trade wouldn't happen unless an extension ensued. Felix Hernandez is 26 and will be 27 in Spring training. He is a bonafide ace. The cost in prospects would be way too high and way too risky. With Grienke easier to get I don't think the Nats go there. Alex Meyer is too close now.
That's a good pick, Steve M.
alexva said...Candide, the Sens will be in Bowie and Richmond later in the month.
Thanks, alexva. Got off the phone with Cunegonde a little while ago, told her about the Bowie game. "Oh goodie! Let's go to that one!"
Lady probably couldn't have picked Danny Espinosa out of a one-man police lineup a year ago. Now she's champing at the bit to go to minor league games. - did I tell y'all we saw The Shark's little brother Rod Bernadina in Aberdeen a while back, at her insistence?
It would appear I have helped create a baseball fan. My list of sins is lengthy, but if I have to account for myself in the hereafter, I'll be able to at least point to that on the credit side of the ledger.
From a player standpoint, I was thinking Werth. For those who aren't fans, interesting could go either way. :-)
Well done, Candide. I believe my hubby is there but I have my work cut out for me with siblings and in-laws. :-)
Mega-bidding war, that's for sure, and isn't the Texas system pretty stacked?
Thanks to recent flurry of trades both Texas systems are stacked. The one in Houston might just be better now.
NatsLady said...
kk, I think it would take more than Detwiler and prospects, that would be the starting point. True, he's signed through 2014, and that affects the calculation, but that also increases what you have to give for him. Mega-bidding war, that's for sure, and isn't the Texas system pretty stacked?
August 14, 2012 1:03 PM
Texas, NYY, Boston, Anaheim, LA, NYM, ChiW, would all be in on him plus some more to throw their names in like the Orioles (hah).
Agreed, darn Texas would be the frontrunners. Luckily Philly can't afford his salary and NYY and their new control on the cap may limit them if they don't shed payroll.
I would still think Nats would be in the Top 3.
- the Nats will go after Felix.
- the Nats will not go after Felix
- Rendon will be called up in Sept
- Rendon will notbe called up in Sept
- Zim will be at 1st base soon
- Zim will not be at 1st base soon
Man, some of you guys ought to play the stock market, if you can predict the future that well
@NatsLady - If Det continues to deal, that reduces the additional price in players/prospects. It would make sense for Seattle given that they would get a proven young pitcher who will cost about 1/10th of what they are paying Felix as they try to rebuild and is under team control a year longer.
Not many other teams have a chip as good as Detwiler to offer the Mariners in any deal for Felix that they easily could afford to part with.
Man, some of you guys ought to play the stock market, if you can predict the future that well
As you should well know Wonk many very good Mathematicians HAVE ... like this guy: James Simons
A DC Wonk said...
- the Nats will go after Felix.
- the Nats will not go after Felix
- Rendon will be called up in Sept
- Rendon will notbe called up in Sept
- Zim will be at 1st base soon
- Zim will not be at 1st base soon
Man, some of you guys ought to play the stock market, if you can predict the future that well
Funny! I know that Rizzo inquired before the trade deadline on King Felix and so did other teams.
On Rendon, it will be either he will or he won't.
On Zim, I don't agree with near future for 1st base. I think its a 2014 at the earliest but then again, you never know.
How great is it that in a bidding war, the Nats would have the advantage as far as teams that a player would want to play for. I suppose that Felix doesn't have any say in where he goes, but can you imagine any better situation to move into than the already best rotation in baseball, with Harper and Zim locked up for years and Rendon (if he isn't part of the deal) on the way? Wow.
So, I have been pondering the Grienke singing and wonder if we would have to give up compensation. I think since he is now with the Angels they do not get compensation. If so, the value of signing Grienke goes up substantially. Add to that, the sense that he would fail in a high-pressure market (Boston, Philly & New York A & B) he might be a nice signing for the Nats.
Can anyone confirm my compensation analysis?
I'll pass on King Felix, I rather just fill in one FA guy who falls threw the cracks next year (like Jackson this year) and the Meyers will be readt for 2014.
Ghost,
I think that the King Felix idea is a non starter because:
a) Seattle will build around him; their fans won't let them move him without major repercussions.
b) If they were to entertain offers it would take way more than a package headlined by Detwiler. They would certainly ask for SS +.
c) Felix has a ton of mileage on his arm for a pitcher of 26 years of age. To me he's in the Michael Pineda risk category.
JD, Felix will require a ton of return but asking for SS is absurd and I doubt anyone will take it seriously. You don't trade one ace for another. Besides mariners' biggest need has always been offense. I can understand them asking for harper. felix is not in pineda cateogry. felix can and has survived with his slower pitches. unlike pineda who mainly relies on his fastball.
anyways, I think Felix is too expensive. I would prefer JJ if marlins' asking price is not much.
The King Felix talk is disturbing, to me. I get that he's as good as is out there. But have y'all been watching Det? If we put LannEn out there with the other four, who's gonna have a BETTER rotation? Some others in that class but it's hard to see a better one, and who's to say we can't upgrade over LannEn in FA? Let's keep this group intact, and see how many will re-up at a slight home cookin' discount... They're not gonna play for cheap, but don't you thing these guys would like to stay together, and have a chance to make history? And if the next bonafied ace comes from within, in '14 or '15, I just think it'll be a point of pride, for the whole organization. And as the prospects mature, you can move whoever doesn't wanna stay, or the older MLB ready prospects, for younger bluechippers... Spending big, in talent, for King, just seems greedy, and bad for karma.... (naive, I know...)
Wonk:one important thing about today's discussion. There has been no nastiness. Very refreshing.
I am with Peric on keeping Rendon, especially until we can actually see if he can play a season injury free.
I am probably in the minority here but I think 3 years of Edwin Jackson might be the way to go rather than Grienke or King. I realize its not even close performance-wise but I go back to team chemistry and he has fit in well. He will not cost us prospects or nearly as much money as the other two and our starters are set while the youngsters develop for another year.
So to recap - no Felix, Rendon up in Sept and Zimm to first in 2014 (and peric, you did change my mind on this)
Natsjack - I am guessing I would need a stars & stripes ticket to say hello if you are in the 200 sections. I am up in the cheap seats so I will just send out good vibrations.
Go Nats!!
sjm308 said...
Wonk:one important thing about today's discussion. There has been no nastiness. Very refreshing.
Then you must have missed Ghost's nastiness toward me in the previous thread, when he told me I'm not allowed to say in no uncertain terms that there's absolutely no way Rendon will be called up in September.
Keep in mind that Alex Meyer could very well be in AA next season and if he does well there? Its AAA and time to put him on the 40-man roster. Plus there's Karns and Rosenbaum hasn't done that badly. Purke and Solis are probably about 2 years away. Giolito could move up but he's going to be in low A/A+ for at least a year as him arm recovers.
That makes Lannan, Maya, odd men out. The interesting guy is Ryan Perry ...
Then you must have missed Ghost's nastiness toward me in the previous thread,
Since you refuse to stop acting like my meme or mocking doppleganger reflecting things I say in your handle then all the nastiness I must endure you get in spades. Its good to see honestly.
The next Gregg Jefferies.
Agree with sjm308 that a few more years of EJ could be the way to go. I'd see if he'll go tow years with a mutual option 3rd year.
But you must tell us how Giolito actually looked to your experienced baseball watching eyes, natsjack. Promising? I know he is tall, but is he tall like Detweiler and need cookies? Or is he filled out? Does his motion look awkward or smooth? Do tell!
pRAA, my nastiness towards you? Please cut and paste. Don't know what you're talking about.
I'm with those who would like to get King Felix. There's simply no substitute for having one of the top 2 pitchers in the game on your team. With him next year, we'd have 2 of the top 3, lacking only Verlander. We've seen what a great rotation does for a team this year. Felix, Stras, Gio, and Znn would be historic.
There is no doubt the price will be very high - -a good young starter to replace him fairly quickly in the rotation (Detwiler probably, but maybe Meyer or Purke) and at least one but probably two major league starters. The M's aren't just going to want prospects, they're going to want to upgrade their team. That means Desi or Espi to team up with Ackley up the middle, and a big bat -- maybe Morse, along with a good prospect or two. That's alot to give up, but with our deep system -- e.g., Lombo, Brown, Moore, and Goodwin, I'd make that deal, and start printing World Series tix for 2013-2015.
smurff said...
Agree with sjm308 that a few more years of EJ could be the way to go. I'd see if he'll go tow years with a mutual option 3rd year.
August 14, 2012 2:47 PM
________________________________
Might as well stick with Lannan. No difference in innings per start or ERA and much less expensive, but hopefully the 1st order of business is extending Jordan Zimmmermann.
Not a fan of Greinke as I think he is a small market guy who needs a low stress team.
Section222, they won't want Morse. They had him once already (Langerhans).
I think the Nats could trade Espi too. I like the idea of possibly the greatest rotation in the 5-man rotation history.
Ghost Of Steve M. said...
pRAA, my nastiness towards you? Please cut and paste. Don't know what you're talking about.
Nastiness, condescension, whatever you choose to call it. Some say to-may-to, some say to-mah-to. You know exactly what I'm talking about. I called you out on it in the previous thread.
Peric - I am not trying to stir anything up but I am ignorant about a lot of the letters that are used for stats. what is it about pRAA that demeans you. I am not talking about the poster, I am talking about those actual letters. I realize you boys don't always see eye to eye but you refer often to his name as a negative toward you and I really don't understand.
pRAA - I am not sure that Ghost disagreeing with your point of view was done as nastily as some of the other stuff on here.
Gonat is correct that the first order of business this off-season is a nice extension for JZimmnn, but I think EJax gives me much more confidence than LannEn.
what is it about pRAA that demeans you.
And ISO ask him why he chose those two statistical reference points to put in his handle. Ask him sjm308. I'm the one who used pRAA in reference to measuring John Lannan's actual performance that previous years in the majors. And ISO I used to show how Morse is just now starting to break out.
Who else uses those? Ask him. This blog likes to pile on people and that individual is case-in-point.
One aspect of Felix's contract situation is that he would be the highest paid player on the Nats for two seasons but then likely would leave via free agency just at the time that they would need that money to pay J-Zimm and Stras.
By then (hopefully) Giolito would be ready to step in and take his place in the rotation.
I don't think a Felix trade is LIKELY to happen, but it sure is nice to daydream about it.
Nastiness, condescension, whatever you choose to call it. Some say to-may-to, some say to-mah-to. You know exactly what I'm talking about. I called you out on it in the previous thread.
AND I'm calling you out pencil head. Get out from behind you depends underpants ...
pRAA - I am not sure that Ghost disagreeing with your point of view was done as nastily as some of the other stuff on here.
I have no problem with Ghost disagreeing with my point of view. The problem occurs when he tells me (or anyone else for that matter) that I'm not allowed to disagree with his.
sjm308 said...
pRAA - I am not sure that Ghost disagreeing with your point of view was done as nastily as some of the other stuff on here.
_____________________________________
I just re-read the mornings postings and not sure what he is talking about, I only found this which is mild on criticism:
__________________________________________
Ghost Of Steve M. said...
Again, your opinions are fine but don't shoot down others like you know 100%.
August 14, 2012 11:39 AM
I am with Gonat.. can we lock up JZ before we go after another pitcher?
MicheleS said...
I am with Gonat.. can we lock up JZ before we go after another pitcher?
August 14, 2012 3:13 PM
_____________________________
Thanks. I think you take care of your own and reward them as your first order of business.
I am with Gonat.. can we lock up JZ before we go after another pitcher?
Nice idea and the best one. Given how happy he is with the way the organization has treated him during his recovery you would think this wouldn't be hard to accomplish if everyone if fair and above board.
pRAA with the ISO said...
Indeed, is there any time that a player has gone straight from AA to the Nats, skipping AAA - even in September?
-------------------------------
There is at least one -- Ryan Zimmerman played 4 games with Savannah (A) and 63 games with Harrisburg (AA) before being called up in September 2005. Of course, that was before Mike Rizzo's time.
Rendon would be a special case as well. NOT A permanent promotion. Unlike past managers Davey Johnson **IS A** part of the FO. He involved in making personnel decisions. And I suspect he will want to get a look at Rendon before he sent off to the Arizona Fall League and then the offseason. Johnson definitely appears to be hands-on when it comes to prospects.
I am in the JZim bandwagon. Lock him up so Gio doesn't have to keep buying him dinner.
Rendon would be a special case as well. NOT A permanent promotion. Unlike past managers Davey Johnson **IS A** part of the FO. He involved in making personnel decisions. And I suspect he will want to get a look at Rendon before he sent off to the Arizona Fall League and then the offseason. Johnson definitely appears to be hands-on when it comes to prospects.
If this was last September, sure. But it's not. Last September was not a pennant race. This September is. Looking at prospects, sure. That's a great thing to do. AFTER you win the pennant with the guys who got you into the race in the first place. Rendon's not going to get any more or less special if everyone's eyes aren't on him before he reports to the AFL.
2.) Davey sees a role he can fill without jeaprodizing a playoff push.
Barring injury to someone else, that role just doesn't exist. Any playing time given to Rendon may not jeopardize the playoff push, but it's still time taken away from someone else who needs to be playing in September. Because those other guys (not all of them, necessarily) will be playing in October, while Rendon won't.
Can Rendon pitch in relief? Cuz if he can, then there might be a role he could fill in September.
Just speed-watched the game. That was fun. Also searched online and found the Bob Carpenter jammage meter that was referenced by FP during the broadcast. Cute.
No real reason why Rendon should not be called up assuming he's healthy. I just wouldn't expect him to see a lot of playing time until they clinch the division title (assuming they do, of course).
Gonat -- don't you think the Mariners would love to have a do-over on that Morse for Langerhans trade?
Locking up JZnn at some point is a given. It has nothing to do with trading for King Felix or anyone else. Nor does it have to, or should it, be done first. JZnn is under our control through the 2015 season. Maybe Rizzo tries to conclude a deal this winter, maybe next, maybe the year after that. JZnn has a say in that too. He's a Cy Young candidate this year. He might win it next year. I wouldn't be surprised if he decides to wait a bit before signing a long term deal.
Rizzo can walk and chew gum at the same time. I guess the one thing he knows now that he didn't know when he was considering trading for Greinke is that JZnn is untouchable.
Wonk--
I'm something to behold playing the market, when I don't have to put any money down.
Something I've been contemplating as the Nats decide on their roster for the next couple of years. Their lineup projects to be way too right-handed. I figure the following are candidates for the starting corner infield positions and the OF in some combination:
Zimmerman - RH
Rendon - RH
Morse - RH
Harper - LH
Brown - LH
Laroche - LH
Werth - RH
Two of these get eliminated. I think one is probably LaRoche because of his age. That leaves only Harper and Brown as potential LH power bats. It gets even more complicated if they try to fill the CF position with a traditional lead-off hitter - either from inside or outside the organization. Morse could be the trade bait. Regardless, a LH thumper or two need to be found. Harper cannot be the only LH power presence in the line up. I'm not sure Brown is the answer.
Regardless, a LH thumper or two need to be found. Harper cannot be the only LH power presence in the line up. I'm not sure Brown is the answer.
And Ladson's source has them out looking for a singles hitter lead-off who plays CF? Not likely Bill and you can't state why any better than the above.
Let's complete the picture however.
Zimmerman - RH
Rendon - RH
Morse - RH
Moore - RH
Werth - RH
Perez - RH
Harper - LH
Brown - LH
Laroche - LH
Bernadina - LH
Goodwin - LH He may be a year or so out though ...
Barring injury to someone else, that role just doesn't exist. Any playing time given to Rendon may not jeopardize the playoff push, but it's still time taken away from someone else who needs to be playing in September.
Lots of those guys and including and especially Zim need some rest (shoulder). Rendon will fit in in September as much as any other player Davey brings up. And generally Davey likes to bring any he wants to see up. He hasn't stopped doing that in the last 20 years or so.
Rendon, Brown, and Perez will be brought up. Davey doesn't need to see DeRosa pinch hitting, and after Moore the right-handed hitters they have feature Iszturis.
Of course Davey will bring Rendon up if he starts raking in AA. That's just about a no brainer.
More likely, he comes to Florida for 4 AB's, six days a week for 4 additional weeks before Arizona.
If they are bumping him up that quickly to AA it means that A ball or Florida isn't challenging enough. Sure there's the rational of having him entered into the AFL as the reason for bringing him up. But, I don't see that they have a plan for him.
The big question will be who would you rather see at third? Rivero or Rendon? I'm betting on Rendon although it would be nice if they could get something in trade for Rivero since they lose him after this season as he is out of options.
Davey could see him as a late inning Zim replacement in a blow out game or a ph spot for for a reliever.
But those are the spots where (like last night) the guys who will be bench players in October need to get playing time in order to stay fresh.
Of course Davey will bring Rendon up if he starts raking in AA. That's just about a no brainer.
You don't need to prove to us that you don't have a brain. We already know that.
You don't need to prove to us that you don't have a brain. We already know that.
We'll see pencil head meme of mine.
Yikes - some people up in here need to eat a Snickers bar or something. You know I am on the extend JZ bandwagon. I will be home soon glued to my dvr. Having read so much about last night's game it is obvious that I won't be able to skip around to just the highlights - all the way through! Gio obviously shut down some really hot hitters. I sincerely hope the bats are still warm for JZ.
Yikes - some people up in here need to eat a Snickers bar or something.
Really pretty hilarious commercial but kind of sad how they cut out the part with Don Rickles.
Rendon meets two of those.
You are right of course. But doesn't it strike you as uncharacteristically odd that they suddenly decide to place Rendon in AA after barely touching the previous levels? It sure seems like they FO may want to see him in the majors ASAP if he is truly ready ... and that's the impression I've gotten from the get-go. Rendon himself was expecting to be shutdown for the year and tee it back up in the spring. Yet here is playing in AA ball with the potential for a September look-see call-up looming.
There appeared to be a distinct difference in how they decided to proceed with Rendon as compared to many other prospects. Right out from rehab and into baseball activities.
Now, I wonder about him playing winter ball? But, there is probably some rule precluding that that I'm not aware of?
Hey, fellow Nats fans!
As a regular reader here, I thought I'd let you guys know about http://www.reddit.com/r/Nationals/
I don't know how many of you are familiar with Reddit but we are trying to build the Nats community there. We currently have 847 members. All it takes is a moment to make a username and password.
The SF Giants reddit group invited us to comment on their thread for the game yesterday and we broke their single game comment record. They have over 3,000 users!
Let's try and show some other parts of the interwebs that Nats fans are out there.
Also, SHARK!
Just because they want to see Rendon in AA now doesn't imply that they want to see him sitting on the bench in September. They're going to want to see more than two weeks of him in AA before they make a decision to bring him to the majors - even if he rakes. And two weeks in AA is all they have left for this season. Why the "sudden" move now? Simple. They've seen all they need to of him in A ball. Might as well use those two weeks to see him in AA.
Harper the blogger on the Strasburg debate. Thoughtful as always. The look back at the best pitchers and teams in the majors 3-5 years ago is kind of chilling.
Swami.. starting the DVR now too! won't be skipping any of it.
But if he gets out of the blocks like Goodwin he's coming to Florida.
Sounds like that might be the right place for Goodwin not the AFL at this point.
So can someone explain to me:
1) if Rendon even does well w/o raking w/this promotion
2) And AFL does not start until first week of October as MLB playoffs begin
3) Why wouldn't Rizzo/Davey call Rendon up for a September look-see
4) and if he's great keep him for playoffs
5) and if he's just ok, send him to AFL
6) How much do the use of his limited options affect this?
I've read this blog every day since spring training ... have recorded and watched every game apart from two this season (including televised spring training games) --- and including the games I've attended in person.
I love this blog. Enjoy NatsJack, Michelle, NatsJack and all the other regulars.
That said, four thoughts:
1. King Felix? Really? Of course it is nice to think about a fantasy baseball lineup, but we MUST pay attention to the fact that Det is on the fast track toward being considered a top of the rotation player. He has always had the talent and is learning to show it. That gives us 4 (four!) top of the rotation type talents.
2. We have had a tremendous year, in part, because of a great farm system. But we have depleted that farm system dramatically by calling up so many this year. We still have some great pitching talent in the pipeline, but not a ton of MLB-ready position players. If I recall correctly, Baseball America doesn't list any of our minor league players in its top 50. I'd beg to differ with Alex Meyer (and love Rendon, Purke, Giolito and Solis, and a couple of others too), but this has been a perfect storm of bringing people up.
3. Let's not underestimate the power of players (free agents) watching how much fun the Nats are having and WANTING to come here. I don't want to trade some of our best minor league chips for King Felix when we have a tremendous rotation already. It wouldn't even surprise me if EJax gave us a discount to stay here a couple more years (if the Nats would even want him for a multi-year contract---with all the young players coming behind him).
4. Finally, a note I never thought I'd write at this time last year. I can't imagine this team without LaRoche, on so many levels. I get that Moore is blocked and Morse might be better at first, and the fact that we may be looking for a true every day CF (doubt we can get one better than what we already have---and I'd love to know if SHARK has really turned the corner or if this is just a hot streak). Still, ALR's defense, character, performance this year, and presence in the clubhouse. I just really would hate to see him leave. That said, I think he will. I just hope not.
P.S. Apparently I really love NatsJack. He got double billing.
1) if Rendon even does well w/o raking w/this promotion
2) And AFL does not start until first week of October as MLB playoffs begin
3) Why wouldn't Rizzo/Davey call Rendon up for a September look-see
4) and if he's great keep him for playoffs
5) and if he's just ok, send him to AFL
6) How much do the use of his limited options affect this?
The Nats did something similar with Harper ... the stark differences in how Rizzo is handling this top positional prospect, Anthony Rendon, and Bryce Harper can be explained in two words: Davey Johnson.
Davey prefers to oversee the final, finishing school for top prospects. Anthony Rendon, an infielder like Davey once was, certainly meets that criteria.
So, yes, unless Rendon looks overmatched in AA as did Destin Hood and to a much lesser extent Brian Goodwin (its not that bad but not what was hoped for) he will get called up to be evaluated under Davey's watchful eye. That will include some game time, but mostly practice and how he goes about his business. That's what Davey did with 18 year old Bryce Harper and that's how it will be with 22 year old Anthony Rendon.
Unless a really bizarre, unexpected, and horrifying rash of injuries occurs Rendon will not be on the playoff roster. As Strasburg now follows JZimm so too will Rendon follow Harper. He will go to the AFL in October while the team enters the playoffs. Next season he will likely start in AA and move quickly to AAA and be called up sometime in June.
The use of options has no effect on this. Just as it didn't on Harper or Zimmerman for that matter. These are top prospects who are basically ready for the majors except for lack of extended playing time (162 games is a very long grind) and the pressure and exposure of the professional game.
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