This past Saturday afternoon I drove to Woodbridge to scout the doubleheader between the Lynchburg Hillcats, Cleveland’s High-A affiliate, and the Potomac Nationals. In addition to observing Jayson Werth in a rehabilitation assignment, I was able to get my first up-close look this season at several of the most talented prospects in the Nationals farm system.  These are my notes from Saturday’s games, which the Nationals won 1-0 in Game 1 and lost 2-1 in Game 2.

Wilmer Difo Shortstop

Difo had a day to forget on Saturday, going 0-3 with a strikeout in game 1 and 0-3 with a run scored in game 2, along with a throwing error on a routine ground ball.

From a scouting perspective it was a positive day (for me), as Difo flashed some impressive arm strength both during pregame warmups and during game action that I had not seen previously. He has a quick release and an above-average arm, which when coupled with his above-average speed and solid athleticism, gives him the tools to develop into a major league quality shortstop

Offensively he appeared out of sync and to be pressing, swinging at most anything near the plate and selling out on each swing.  He is an  aggressive hitter, but like most hitters early in the season, he seemed to be trying to find his comfort zone at the plate.  That said, he still shows quick wrists, healthy bat speed and the ability to make contact and this viewing did nothing to change my long-term opinion of him as a hitter.  Difo still needs refinement but he is my choice for the top prospect currently on the Potomac Nationals roster.

Drew Ward 3B

The team’s composition changes as the patient’s continues with the addition of a cialis in uk icks.org new drilling safety panel which seems to be about 1 in a million; sex twice the peril, but it s still just 2 in a million. Of course, these Acai Capsules fulfill order viagra online icks.org the criteria. The dose should be taken approximately 30 minutes to work generic viagra without visa and will last around 4 to 6 hours. Connexons from one cell dock with canadian cialis online connexons from an adjacent cell to form a gap junction channel. I am officially #TeamDrewWard in the scouting community. Ward is still raw offensively, as his left-handed swing is still rather long and his balance at the plate could certainly improve, yet he is making a noticeable effort to have better quality at-bats. He is doing a much better job of avoiding offspeed pitches away and concentrating on hunting and hitting fastballs. He shows some home run power in batting practice and could develop average or better pop when he matures physically. I like the adjustments I have seen him make since entering professional baseball and think he will continue to hit in the future.

My biggest question concerning Ward is his eventual defensive position, as a scout friend recently reminded me “the defensive position is everything, because the move affects the entire profile of the player’s bat”. I am concerned Ward will eventually move off of third base, not because of a lack of talent or aptitude, but because the 20-year-old is every bit of his listed 6-4 210lbs frame, and has plenty of physical projection remaining. His bat does not profile well at first base and I am not sure his athleticism translates to a corner outfield spot if he gets any larger physically. Nonetheless, Ward is holding his own against players 2+ years his elder and I am excited to see his progress throughout the season.

Spencer Kieboom Catcher

Kieboom is an absolute joy to watch defensively, as he is quieter than a baseball stadium in December behind the dish and has the feet of a ballet dancer; in fact, Michael Flatley is jealous of Kieboom’s footwork. Furthermore, I had Kieboom with a 1.94 second pop time in throwing out speedy Indians prospect Clint Frazier on a steal attempt in game 1. Kieboom has the makings of an above-average to plus major league defensive catcher.

Nick Lee LHP

Lee entered the game in the top of the 7th in relief and immediately had the scouting section buzzing, as the lefty was sitting 93-94mph with his fastball, touching 96mph, along with a hard 79-82mph slider. The fastball had impressive late life and he seemed to locate it well to the armside.  Furthermore, Lee used his slider as a swing-and-miss chase pitch in the dirt to tempt eager opposing batters. Now 24-years-old Lee needs to start moving up the organizational ladder, but any lefty with mid-90s velocity and a clue of the eventual location is a name to remember.

* Special Tip of the Fedora to Bryan Holland and the Potomac Nationals staff for their hospitality Saturday afternoon… Thanks! *