Nats Arizona Fall League review

According to Manager Jim Riggleman, during a phone conference call we here at DCPSR were invited and took part in, the focus of the youth revolves around the top prospects that participated in the Arizona Fall League for the Nats.

Here is how they did in the AFL:

2009 overall first pick Stephen Strasburg:  To tell you how impressive Strasburg was, the AFL Championship game is on Saturday and Strasburg gets the starting nod for Phoenix. In 5 starts, Strasburg had one very rough outing.  Other than that, he dominated.  In 5 starts, Strasburg finished 4-1  with an ERA of 4.26, impressive considering the rough outing.  In the rough outing, Strasburg allowed 8 runs in 2.2 innings.  Besides that start, Strasburg pitched 16.1 innings and allowed just 2 runs.  In 19.1 total inning, Strasburg struck out 23.

2009 10th overall pick Drew Storen:  Even more impressive than Strasburg, Storen LED to the AFL in ERA with an impressive 0.66 ERA.  In 12 relief appearances, Storen finished 2-0 with 4 saves.  In 13.2 innings pitched, Storen allowed just 1 run and struck out 13.

Storen is a stud and will most likely be considered for a bullpen spot with the Nationals next season.  He will need to earn it.  More than likely, the Nationals will not pressure Storen into the closer role, one they envision for him, but start him off at middle relief.  Given his dominance in A and AA and now AFL, Storen is starting to look like a real gem of the 2009 draft for the Nats.

In the 2009 season, between A and AA, Storen made 28 relief appearances and was 2-1 with 11 saves and an ERA of 1.95.  In 31.1 innings, Storen struck out 49.

P Jeff Mandel:  Mandel is a starter in the Nationals system, but provided relief work in the AFL.  He pitched well.  In 10 appearances, Mandel recorded a 1.88 ERA, allowing 3 runs in 14.1 innings.  Last season in the Nats system, between A and AA, Mandel finished 12-6, the most wins in the system.  He started 25 games and finished with a 3.38 ERA.

P Josh Wilkie:  Wilkie made 9 relief appearances and finished with a 4.63 ERA, allowing 6 runs in 11.2 innings and recording 9 strikeouts.   Wilkie made 55 relief appearances between AA and AAA last season and 7-5 with 5 saves.  His combined ERA was 2.64 and struck out 65 in 71.1 innings.  Wilkie will get a long look from the Nationals in training camp and could earn a role in the Nats 2010 bullpen.

As for the Bats, the Nationals have to be very pleased.

SS Danny Espinosa:  Espinosa batted .353 in the AFL.  In 85 at bats, Espinosa doubled 5 times, had 1 triple and 1 home run.  He scored 24 runs and knocked in 14.  Hi finished 9th overall in batting and 3rd overall in runs scored.  During the 2009 season, Espinosa put a full season in with Potomac and hit .264 with 31 doubles, 18 homers, and 72 RBIs.  He also stole 29 bases.

2006 1st round pick Chris Marrero:  Marrero had 79 at bats and hit an impressive .342, 10th overall.  Marrero added 6 doubles and 3 home runs.  He was 5th in the AFL with 21 runs drive in.  Last season Marrero split time between A and AA and hit a combined .284 with 17 homers and 74 RBis.  He also had 27 doubles.

Read more at

http://dcprosportsreport.com/2009/11/19/nats-arizona-fall-league-review.html