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Vermont won a 12-7 slugfest in Hudson Valley, evening up their record at 37-37 (box gamer). RF Michael Burgess was 4/5 with a triple, two home runs and five RBI. Burgess hit a solo home run in the second and capped off his evening with a three-run shot in the ninth. (more…)
Pitching, pitching, pitching. It’s a mantra that Nationals GM Jim Bowden has repeated time and time again since joining the team in the winter of 2004. While the Nationals have managed to find a few serviceable arms from within, starting pitchers like Shawn Hill and Jason Bergmann, the organizational depth on the mound has been a weakness throughout MLB’s stewardship of the Expos. That appears to be changing and the 2007 Lake Monsters are the first indicator that the right steps are underway to rebuild the player development system. Vermont’s starting rotation featured no fewer than five arms that have a good chance of developing into future major leaguers. This stable of strong arms led Vermont to a 38-37 record, one of only three Nationals affiliates with an above 0.500 record (DSL Nationals1 and Potomac were the others).
Willems had an inconsistent season but remains the most projectable of the arms in Vermont. From reports, the Nationals have tinkered with Willems’ delivery in order to allow him to more easily repeat his delivery. If this is the case, it will bear watching whether he can adapt to the changes and regain the fastball velocity he had (mid-90s) while at the same time gain more command on his secondary pitches (a curve and slider). Willems is the definition of high risk/high reward. Of all of the pitchers in the Nationals organization, he is the most likely to develop into the frontline #1 starter that the Nationals need to develop. I’d expect the Nationals to pair him with Gibson in Hagerstown to begin the 2008 season with the chance of a promotion to Potomac if the results dictate.
And the database finally returns …
The Clippers dropped a second straight game in Norfolk, losing 5-2 (box/gamer). Chris Michalak took the loss allowing five runs on eleven hits over 6 2/3 innings of work. 3B Melvin Dorta was 2/2 with a double and a run scored. 1B Larry Broadway was ¼ with a triple. RF Abraham Nunez was 1/4 with one RBI.
Columbus dropped the series opener in Toledo 5-2 (box). Collin Balester started for the Clippers, taking the loss with 5 1/3 innings allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits and three walks. CF Brandon Watson was 1/4 with a triple and a run scored. CA Brandon Harper was 2/4 with a double. And 2B Bernie Castro and PH Abraham Nunez each drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. Notes: LHP Matt Chico was optioned from Washington to Columbus after the game at RFK. The spot opens up a spot for recently acquired OF Wily Mo Pena.
Jason Bergmann made another rehab start for the Clippers on Saturday evening, allowing no runs on only four hits with six strikeouts over six innings as Columbus blanked Toledo 6-0 (box). Jesus Colome, Hector Carrasco, and Arnie Munoz pitched the final three perfect innings sealing the victory. LF Kory Casto was 3/5 with a pair of doubles, one run scored and one RBI. RF Abraham Nunez was 3/4 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored. And CA Juan Brito was 4/4 with a run scored and one RBI. The Clippers game on Sunday was cancelled due to rain. No word on when/if the game will be rescheduled.
Micah Bowie made another rehab start for the Clippers but left after four innings with a sore groin. Bowie allowed one run on four hits with three strikeouts but the Clippers bullpen faltered in a 4-3 loss to Louisville (box). Hector Carrasco allowed two solo home runs in the seventh and Arnie Munoz allowed a solo homer in the eighth. Winston Abreu pitched a perfect ninth striking out the side. LF Kory Casto was 2/4 with a run scored and CA Brandon Harper was 2/4 with one RBI.
The Columbus Clippers split a doubleheader with Louisville dropping the opener 3-1 in 11 innings before blanking the Bats 1-0 in the second game (box1/box2).
Minor League News & Notes: The Washington Times profiles RHP Adrian Alaniz … (Please note, I will be out of town so the Across the Affiliates will not be updated over the weekend. Look for updates and catch up on Monday morning).
Columbus took two out of three games over the weekend against Louisville, winning 12-9 on Friday (box/gamer); winning 3-2 on Saturday (box/gamer); and losing 3-1 on Sunday (box).
