THE WASHINGTON NATIONALS FARM SYSTEM REPORT

COLUMBUS CLIPPERS (AAA):

After a 2-9 start to the 2008 season, the Clippers are now red hot, winning 6 of their last 7, including a 5-3 win over Indianapolis today.   Perhaps the Washington Nationals should be forced to go down and watch Columbus to determine how to break out fo the funk and start winning damn games.
Offensively, the red hot bat comes from 1B Larry Broadway.  In the last 4 games, Broadway has gone 7 for 15  with 5 doubles, a triple, 4 runs scored and drive in 5 runs.  Broadway has boosted his average to .281.  Broadway’s five double run gives him 7 on the season, leading the International League.  2B Peter Orr went 0-4 today, stopping a 7 games hitting streak.  OF Ryan Langerhans is 4 out of his last 109 at bats, driving in 2.
Pitching, Tyler Clippard got shelled for 7 runs in 2 innings last week boosting his over all ERA to above 8.00.  In his first start since being demoted, Jason Bergmann didn’t fare well either, giving up 4 runs and 6 hits in 3 innings.  The man in the rotation is Mike O’Connor who continues to dominate AAA ball and impress the Nationals brass.  He had another terrific start going 7 innings, scattering 8 hits and giving up 1 run.  He lowered his impressive ERA to 1.96.  O’Connor is 2-0.  Colin Balestar pitched another 4 scoreless innings and improved to 1-1 with a 1.88 ERA.
Clippers Record:  8-10 (Last, INT West, 3.5 games back)

HARRISBURG SENATORS (AA) 

The Senators are hot as well.  I guess nearly everyone in the Nationals organization is except the nationals themselves.  The Senators have won three in a row and 5 of their last 6.  

Offensively, there are some hot bats in Harrisburg.  Michael Daniel is 5 for 10 with 2 runs score din his last 3 games.  Roger Bernadina is 7 for 13 in the last 3 games 2 doubles, triple, and a homer.  He has scored 5 runs and knocked in 7 during that stretch.  Bernadina has lifted his average above .300 to .304.   Justin Maxwell has caught fire.  In the last three games he is 5 for 143 doubles and 5 RBIs.  Maxwell boosted his average to .281.  And, how about catcher Luke Montz.  In his last 3 games he is a whopping 7 for 10 with 5 RBIs and a double and homer.   Maxwell is 4th in the Eastern League with 14 RBIs.  In 35 at bats, Montz is hitting .429 this year.  Jorge Padilla kept his average up, he is hitting .341 on the season.

Pitching, the Senator really have not gotten impressive starts, but the bullpen has done very well.

Senators Record:  11-5 (First Place, EAS South, 3 Games Up)

POTOMAC NATIONALS (A)

 The Baby Nats are about as hot as you get.  Aporil 17th the Nats lost and snapped a 10 games winning streak, but they are back on one, winning two straight, 12 of their last 13.  Their success is tied to exactly what many of us assumed and expected.  The 2006 and 2007 draft class pitchers are working their way up and with it comes success.

The next Lannan?  I don’t have any doubts.  2007 second round pick Jordon Zimmerman was on fire in the Rookie League last season and has been the most impressive arm int he Carolina League.  Just a few nights ago, Zimmerman threw 5 more scoreless innings, scattering 3 hits and striking out 6.  Listen to these numbers.  In 3 appearances, 2 of which were starts, Zimmerman is 2-0 with an ERA of just 0.61.  He has given up 1 earned run in 14.2 innings of work and has recorded 17 strikeouts.  His ERA is third overall in the Carolina League.  Another 2007 draftee, Adrian Alaniz, pitched 7 scoreless innings to pick up a Harrisburg win.  Alaniz is now 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA.  Cory Van Allen is 2-0 with an ERA of 1.17 in 3 appearances, 2 of which were starts.  Ross Detwiler, the 2007 first round pick, 6th overall, is 1-0 with an ERA of 4.05.  OF Dee Brown is hitting .325 to lead the Nationals offense.

Current Record:  12-3  (First Place, CAR North, 3.5 Games Up)

HAGERSTOWN SUNS (A)

The Suns snapped a 4 games losing streak with a 3-2 win today.   2007 draft pick Michael Burgess has a hot bat accumulating 5 hits in his last 10 at bats.  One included homer number 3 for Burgess.  He also had a triple and 3 runs batted in.  2007 draftee Steve Souza is hitting .306 and an OBP of .903.  1B Bill Rhinehart, the Nats 11th rounder last year, is hitting .290 and leads the team with 10 RBIs.    2006 draft pick Colton Willems pitched 4 innings giving up a run and striking out 4.  Willems is 1-1 with an ERA of 2.87 in 3 starts.  Cole Kimball is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in 3 starts.

Current Record:  8-10 (5th Place, 3 games out)

Hottest in the Minors:

Offensive

1.  Luke Montz (Hburg), .429 in 35 at bats

2.  Jorge Padilla (Hburg), .340

3.  Dee Brown (POT), .325

Pitching 

1.  Jordon Zimmerman (POT), 2-0 with an ERA of 0.61

2.  Cory Van Allen (POT), 2-0 with an ERA of 1.17

3.  Mike O’Connor (COL), 2-0 with an ERA of 1.96

4.  Colin Balestar (COL), 1-1 with an ERA of 1.88

Bullpen

1.  Carlos Martinez, 10 Inn, 0 runs

2.  Brian Sanches, 9 Inn, 0 Runs, 4 saves

3.  Arnie Munoz (HBurg), 8 Inn, 0runs

4.  Kyle Gunderson (Hgr), 7 Inn, 0 runs

Transaction Review:  Yurendell de Caster was promoted from Harrisburg to Columbus.  de Caster led the  Eastern league with 16 RBIs with an average over .300.  P Garrett Mock was placed on the DL in Columbus.  IF Ofilio Castro was promoted from Potomac to Harrisburg.  P Lavale Speigner placed on the DL by Harrisburg.

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