Garrett Mock, Nationals

Greetings Farm Heads and welcome to Sports Grumblings’ weekly edition of the Farm Report--- where each week we highlight a few prospects with the potential this season to land on a fantasy roster. To streamline our analysis, the players will be selected from one specific team, most likely one that’s throwing in the towel and fully dedicated right now to developing young talent at the Major League.

This week our focus turns to the National League East and the Washington Nationals, just 18 games away from the 100 loss mark. Although manager Jim Riggleman mentioned this week during a press conference that the Nationals first order of business was to protect the young arms for the future, I still think we’ll see a handful of minor league pitching prospects arrive in Washington next week for September call-ups.  With SP Garrett Mock, 26, having been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse in mid-July and just now beginning to produce (3-1, 3.16 ERA in his last four starts) there still room for help. General manager Mike Rizzo stated this week that only three starters (LHP John Lannan, RHP Livan Hernandez and Mock) are certain to remain in the rotation the rest of the way --so if you do the math there seems to be a few open spots for the taking.

One player to watch is SP Ross Detwiler. The twenty three year old Detwiler was recalled from Double-A in May, pitched well in spurts, but ultimately needed more seasoning and was sent to Triple-A Syracuse in mid-July after posting a 6.40 ERA in 55 innings with the Nationals. The sixth overall pick in 2007’s draft – Detwiler’s has quite the arsenal of pitches – he’s a powerful left-hander with a fastball in the mid ninties, a four-seam fastball (90-94mph), a two-seam fastball, a 12-to-6 curveball and is developing a changeup. Since returning to Syracuse he’s done a better job with commanding these pitches, going 2-2 with a 2.97 ERA in eight starts. He’s done especially well in his last three, letting up just two earned runs over the last 18 innings. If Detwiler continues to pitch well and show that he’s improved just slightly, I’d imagine one major league spot will go to him next week.

Another is SP Marco Estrada. Currently 8-4 with a 3.56 ERA in 126 innings, the right-hander has been pretty darn nasty since the all-star break, going 3-1 with a 2.75 ERA – letting up 5 earned runs in his last 33 innings.  Drafted by the Nationals in the 6th round in 2005, Estrada is considered to have a lively arm and the ability to accumulate strikeouts – but with Riggleman waving the caution flag who knows what his innings limit will be. It’s quite possible that we could even see him in a long relief role from September 1 through the end of the season.

FARM REPORT RECAP

Brandon Snyder, 1B – Triple-A Norfolk (Orioles) – Snyder went 2-4 with two doubles, two runs and an RBI Wednesday vs. Durham. After putting up great numbers at AA Bowie, Snyder was called up to AAA Norfolk, where he’s just started to settle in. If I were Orioles Director of Baseball Operations/GM Andy MacPhail, I’d bring the kid up now – but they may decide to keep him on the farm until the start of 2010. After all, his OPS has fallen from 1.018 in Double-A to .721 in Triple-A. Also, it’s looking more and more like recently acquired prospect C/1B Jeff Clement will get a look as well.

Jose Tabata, OF Triple-A Indianapolis (Pirates) Tabata continues to produce since being called up from Double-A, batting .318 with three homers, 8 RBI and four stolen bases. Unfortunately, instead of getting a September call-up to the Pirates he’ll head to the Arizona Fall League after Triple-A Indianapolis ends its season to improve his skills a bit more.

Pedro Alvarez, OF – Double-A Altoona (Pirates) Although Alvarez is crushing the ball with Altoona this year (he’s batting .325 with 10 homers and 35 RBI in 55 games) Pirates GM Neil Huntington stated that the organization has no intention of moving him to Triple-A this year. Look for Alvarez in 2010.

Matt Maloney, SP – Triple-A Louisville (Reds) It’s been a “good-start then mediocre-start” kind of month for Maloney (9-9). Just one outing after letting up just one earned run and five hits versus Lehigh Valley, he gave up 4 earned runs in six innings on 8/25 against Toledo. Although I still think he’s a lock to land on Cincinnati’s roster next week, how much he’ll contribute remains to be seen.

Drew Stubbs, OF – Louisville (Reds) Since Stubbs’ game-winning homer versus San Francisco on 8/20 (in just his second MLB game) he’s been mired in a 3 for 23 slump. What’s surprising, however, is his lack of stolen base attempts in the seven games he’s played since being recalled from Louisville (0). Nevertheless, I expect his speed to eventually become a factor and for him to have minimal value in NL-only leagues going forward in 2009.

Travis Snider, OF – Triple-A Las Vegas (Blue Jays) – Snider has three solo homers in nine games week for the Blue Jays since being recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on 8/18.  He’s definitely looking better than he did in early 2009 when he struggled often. Like I said last week, he's going to play every day from now until season's end and has a chance to hit over dozen homers. I like Snider – even if he does remind me of perennial douche bag actor Chris Klein -- and I feel he’ll help your team if desperate for the long ball.

J.P. Arencibia, C – Triple-A Las Vegas (Blue Jays) – Arencibia needs another off-season before cracking the Blue Jays roster. Done and done. 

Hector Rondon, SP – Triple-A Columbus (Indians) – The 21 year old Rondon dominated yet again in his last start with Columbus – going eight innings while giving up just one earned run. On the season he’s 4-2 with a 2.68 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 50 innings. I’m willing to bet my car he’ll be in Cleveland next week, contributing well. This kid is lights out; a star in the making. Watch him closely.

Matt LaPorta, OF – Triple-A Columbus – LaPorta’s hit in all seven games since being recalled from AAA – and hit a key homer on Wednesday. Like Snider, LaPorta is going to play every day – so keep an eye on his production. Owned in only 5% of Yahoo leagues, he’s there for the taking.