Washington Nationals Top 20 Prospects for 2008

by John Sickels on Nov 21, 2007 12:38 AM EST in News

All grades are EXTREMELY PRELIMINARY and subject to change.

Chris Marrero, 1B-OF, Grade B+
Ross Detwiler, LHP, Grade B+
Michael Burgess, OF, Grade B+
Justin Maxwell, OF, Grade B
Jordan Zimmerman, RHP, Grade B
Collin Balester, RHP, Grade B-
Josh Smoker, LHP, Grade B- (for some reason I really love this guy)
Adam Carr, RHP, Grade B-
John Lannan, LHP, Grade B- (too high?)
Glenn Gibson, LHP, Grade C+ (borderline B-)
Colton Willems, RHP, Grade C+
Ian Desmond, SS, Grade C+
Jack McGeary, LHP, Grade C+
Jake Smolinski, OF, Grade C+
Jon Albaladejo, RHP, Grade C+
Adrian Alaniz, RHP, Grade C+
Shairon Martis, RHP, Grade C+
Jhonny Nunez, RHP, Grade C+
Kory Casto, OF-3B, Grade C+
Josh Whitesell, 1B, Grade C

There are 15 other players in the book. Again, I emphasize that all these grades are preliminary, and that the Grade C+/C guys are close to interchangeable.

There is a lot of Potential pitching depth in this system, and many of those Grade C+ guys have the ability to end up as Grade B/B+ prospects a year from now, once we see them at higher levels and have more data to work with. Overall the Nats have done a good job adding more depth to the system.

And as always, Buy My Book!. Thanks!

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Comments

I like...

...only one I have a beef with is Bally Star...compared to Zimmerman of some of the Twins straight B pitching prospects for example, he has a similar upside with more certainty to reach the majors IMO.

It's Business Time

by uga007 on Nov 21, 2007 12:27 AM EST 0 recs

SS prospect

I would think that Esmailyn Gonzalez' upside would land him a C+/B-

The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. It reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again.

by Savoy on Nov 21, 2007 12:44 AM EST 0 recs

Seems awful generous, but that said

it is just preliminary and you did note that some of those C+'s might be C's.

C+'s that I'd have as C's - Ian Desmond (hard for me to buy that his numbers wasn't anything more than a result of dropping levels), Kory Casto (struggled in AAA), Jhonny Nunez (understandably, comparing prospect lists doesn't make sense, but if a guy like Robert Hernandez fails to merit a C+, I fail to see how Nunez merits a C+), Martis, Albaladejo.

I'd have Lannan and Carr as C+'s. Personally, I'd put Marrero at B, but I think a lot of people probably would give him that B+. I'm okay with Detwiler as a B+, but his high A numbers weren't all that good. That said, it was a small sample size.

Overall, though, I think they are headed the right direction, and hopefully I'll be able to go to Nats games that are meaningful in the near future.

by toonsterwu on Nov 21, 2007 12:59 AM EST 0 recs

no A- yet

wow,
Have yet to see John hand out a grade higher than B+.

by bk11 on Nov 21, 2007 1:36 AM EST 0 recs

upcoming

And looking at the next 4 teams, there's really only 1 player who may exceed an A-.

by mckeeno on Nov 21, 2007 1:46 AM EST up 0 recs

edit

I meant reach A- level.

by mckeeno on Nov 21, 2007 1:47 AM EST up 0 recs

The Rangers

will have an A- with Eric Hurley

by jparks77 on Nov 21, 2007 2:12 PM EST up 0 recs

nope

B+ for me

by Bravesin07 on Nov 21, 2007 2:35 PM EST up 0 recs

ya

Hurley is the only guy who could be a A-, but I think he's borderline A-/B+. I wouldn't be surprised if he's the guy John asks us about beforehand.

by mckeeno on Nov 21, 2007 2:49 PM EST up 0 recs

John and Hurley

I suggested that Hurley could receive an A- because of John's belief in him in the past. I personally don't think Hurley willl ever be more than an innings eater type that could struggle pitching in Arlington. John has suggested that Hurley could be a staff ace if he improves his change-up and stays healthy. I guess we shall see.

by jparks77 on Nov 21, 2007 3:03 PM EST up 0 recs

Response

http://www.minorleagueball.com/comments/2007/8/16/91743/0344/158#158

by mrkupe on Nov 21, 2007 5:43 PM EST up 0 recs

Smoker versus McGeary

John - What is it that separates Smoker from McGeary? Smoker seems to have the better stuff while McGeary has the polish. How much will McGeary's contract impact his potential to develop?

by NFA Brian on Nov 21, 2007 6:54 AM EST 0 recs

Smoke em if you got em

I've long had a silly theory that someone's success in baseball or in life could have something to do with their name. I think I lot of prospects who bombed had names like Bill Smith or else a name that goes the other way and is too over the top.

Josh Smoker just sounds like a good ballplayer.

by elricsi on Nov 21, 2007 1:12 PM EST up 0 recs

Impressive Rebuild

In two years, this team has gone from one prospect above a B- (Ryan Zimmerman) to 5. Two years ago, Casto was John's number two prospect!!! Only Maxwell, Whitesell, Casto, and Balester remain from that list. In particular, the Nats depth of left handed pitching is quite impressive. I expect Detwiller to get a look at the end of 08. Also, Marrero is moving to 1st base in an attempt to get him to DC faster....a small hit to his value, but his bat should still play there. Also, the team is very high on Gibson, but we'll have to see how he does in a full season league. He's a real sleeper in this farm system.

by vaclipper on Nov 21, 2007 8:47 AM EST 0 recs

re:

The system is improved. But, as a fan, I'm still far from impressed. You mention the depth of left handed pitching. But I don't see any southpaw to be excited about beyond Detwiler. Only Lannan has proven anything in the minors and I don't think he has the goods to be more than a 4A pitcher. It's too early to say on Smoker. Gibson hasn't played full season ball yet and also hasn't seen his projectability translate into more velo yet.

The McGeary contract is just awful. I can't see him making any meaningful progress for years. He'll be in school during spring training. Have to round into pitching shape after classes let out in May just to pitch Mid-June to Mid-August. Pitching two months a year is practically meaningless to developing. Seems to me the odds are this kid basically decided he wanted a Stanford degree and consider baseball as priority but would gladly take 1+ Mil windfall check to treat it as a summer hobby. To me if you want to be a pro baseball player you either commit to being full-time student athlete who participates on a team all year or a full-time pro. This student who dabbles in pitching 2-3 months a year ain't getting it done.

by im not new on Nov 21, 2007 9:04 AM EST up 0 recs

McGeary's contract

calls for him to pitch from June thru late september, the same amount of time that most every HS pitcher pitches in their first two pro seasons. McGeary is a first round talent, and the Nats deserve a lot of credit for working this out. This arrangement worked very well for Chris Young while he was at Princeton...and I would rather have the organization control his workload and have him face wood bats than to let him work under college conditions.

He's a sharp kid who will have to work his butt off to complete school and be a professional player. I'm not sure where you come off calling this a summer hobby....he won't have an off day for the next 3 to 4 years.

by vaclipper on Nov 21, 2007 12:37 PM EST up 0 recs

<3 McGeary

He was actually my no.2 pitcher in the draft, behind Porcello. It's just my gut, but I love this guy.

by GuyinNY on Nov 22, 2007 10:31 PM EST up 0 recs

Marrero

I'm disappointed by the move to 1b. I'll most likely have him the highest rated of the 20 and under prospepects, and he'll most likely be in my top 10 overall. As an OF, he should be in AA sometime in 2008, meaning he'd be in DC by the end of 2009 at the latest. Does the move to 1b make him the opening day starter in 2009?

by rwperu34 on Nov 21, 2007 10:05 AM EST 0 recs

Word from Nats camp

Was that the move to 1B was made to speed his progression. If he stays there, he is a shoe-in to be right up there with Pujols and D-Lee as the most athletic 1B in the bigs. I really think Marrero could have worked out just fine in the OF.

I'll assume that to mean he's got a great shot at being their starter at 1B in 2009. My only question is when the Nick Johnson saga ends. Is his contract up after 2008?

by guru4u on Nov 21, 2007 10:18 AM EST up 0 recs

Johnson and Young

are both signed through 2009. The Nats signed young to an extension over concern about Johnson's health. I'd look for Marerro to show up at some time in 2009, but if Johnson isn't healthy and Young cannot stay away from the post-game buffet table, Marrero could show up earlier. Trades are always a possibility....a healthy Johnson (I know that's an oxymoron) would draw a lot of interest from the Yankees, among others.

by vaclipper on Nov 21, 2007 10:33 AM EST up 0 recs

Marrero at 1st is a more athletic Paul Konerko

He would be a potential GG 1st baseman.

by Bravesin07 on Nov 21, 2007 10:51 AM EST up 0 recs

Zimmerman

I'll be rooting for Jordan Zimmerman. Not many guys get drafted from my little Division III conference, especially in the second round.

by BenB on Nov 21, 2007 11:52 AM EST 0 recs

I want to be just like ...

Bravesin07 when i grow up.......this guy knows everything about every team. he must be a scout or something (by the way, don't you think it's time you changed your screenname....the braves weren't anything in '07)

If you know of a minor league sleeper, please let me know

by psugator01 on Nov 21, 2007 12:21 PM EST 0 recs

HAH No, would be interesting though

Nah i'm just a fan of the game who likes to read up on sports. I used to read up a lot on baseball when I was younger and used to lead sports trivia in HS with friends, one who became a sports broadcaster in Nebraska for a few years before he quit(he talked to Joba quite a bit for stories). I might not be on these boards much if I get hired at the end of the week to work in a medical laboratory, so i'll have a 40 hour week plus time put in to get a laboratory license online. I won't have much time but it won't stop me from taking glaces and a few comments. I may change my Braves SN, but I want to be remembered so I might not. I could have tried to go for boardcasting but i'm not exactly the best for speaking in front of a large audience, though I probably would be good on radio. I'm also known as the local weatherman around town because I know about the weather better than anyone beside the people on TV in the area.

by Bravesin07 on Nov 21, 2007 1:13 PM EST 0 recs

good weatherman!

Reminds me of the weather stick I would see in people's yards:
If the stick is wet, it is raining
If you can see the stick, it is daytime
If you can't see the stick, it is nighttime
If the stick is white, it is snowing
If the stick is gone, it is windy

The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. It reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again.

by Savoy on Nov 21, 2007 1:26 PM EST up 0 recs

And

There was much rejoicing. Mahalo

Matt

I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it.

by WayneCampbell05 on Nov 22, 2007 12:20 AM EST up 0 recs

Gibson

I think he's a B-

Member: Coalition For The Advancement Of Greek Baseball Players

by fischbowl on Nov 21, 2007 11:50 PM EST 0 recs

Josh Smoker

I'll tell you why you love Smoker, its because he's damn good.

6'2" lefty, sits low 90s, touches 94 with 2 good offspeed pitches and maybe even another one.

I can't believe the Cardinals took Peter Kozma over Josh Smoker. I can't believe a lot of teams passed on Smoker. He's going to be one of the steals of the 2007 draft.

I'm a little surprised you have Jordan Zimmerman ahead of him. I too liked Zimmerman and he was a guy I hoped the Cardinals might take but Smoker's potential is much better.

by UncleBuck44 on Nov 22, 2007 2:01 PM EST 0 recs