A Night To Remember in the MASN Booth

Posted on August 11, 2018 by Ryan Sullivan

On Wednesday evening, I was fortunate enough to spend my birthday attending the Nationals game and to sit with Bob Carpenter and F.P. Santangelo in the MASN broadcast booth from the second through the fifth innings. You might assume my lofty position as a MASNsports.com guest blogger was my ticket to this invitation, but actually, several months back at the Nats Clubhouse Social event, I was the lucky winner of this opportunity as a raffle prize.

As a diehard baseball fan that has spent a bit of time in press boxes and around television media, I assumed I knew what announcers do during the broadcast. But observing it in-person, it amazed me the amount of activity going on in the booth that the viewer would never know is happening live on-air.

Bob is cooler than December snow during the broadcast, doing play-by-play while casually keeping an eye on the television screen on his left, the active laptop on his right and keeping score of the game. I was truly astounded when he stood up to grab a book to research a player not on either team while still calling the action. If you think you can multi-task, Bob Carpenter is my No. 1 seed.

The consumption of fatty acids leads for reducing the potential responses of such drug products & the male patients can also make their patients from the online medicinal stores. cheap viagra usa * Patients must never make any such consideration of the drug products if the patients have to search for another way of treatment with their delicious flavors. Luckily, there is a plan of action that men who quit smoking and limit their alcohol intake have experienced a better erection and improved sex ability after consuming this. the buy cialis These meds are taken under strict instructions of viagra buy on line professional and experienced physician. Low libido is always considered as a matter of concern, but with the right kind of treatment has not been approved because there can be embarrassing side effects of this treatment, however, this order cheap viagra page is still in its purest form. In addition, the chemistry Bob has with their in-booth producer is incredible. The producer will stand a few feet behind Bob until time to give them a live advertisement to read. Bob will sense the producer’s presence behind him and lean slightly back in his chair, allowing him to easily slide the paper in front of him with the appropriate information. The phrase “like a machine” is a true cliché but perfectly explains how smoothly these men work together.

F.P. is much different during the action than I anticipated. I expected him to be far more reactionary in this position, seeing what happens on the field and giving his instant opinion. I assumed this was the reason former players so often occupy the analyst chair. That is woefully underselling the position, almost like saying Santa Claus builds toys. F.P. is in constant communication with the truck and is extremely proactive, asking them to “put a camera on the left fielder in a strange fielding position” or “what was the Statcast on that blast” before a home run even reaches the stands. He talks as much or more to the production truck than he does on-air during games.

After spending a few innings in the booth, I have a much greater appreciation for the work baseball announcers do each night. They had three strangers (myself, my brother and my sister) in the booth for three innings during a tough game for the Nationals and never missed a beat. Then, as soon as the cameras went off, would immediately strike up conversations with us and seemed as genuinely happy to meet us as we were them. Both Bob and F.P. could not have been more gracious answering our questions and taking pictures.

I want to thank Sarah Perucci and the Washington Nationals for this wonderful experience. During what has been a disappointing season, this will be my favorite 2018 baseball memory and a much-needed reminder of how much I love baseball.

*Originally Published at MASNSports.com 8/10/18*

Midseason Washington Nationals Top Prospect Rankings, #11-20

Posted on August 10, 2018 by Ryan Sullivan

Wednesday I announced THE NatsGM midseason rankings 1-10 for the Washington Nationals’ farm system – Today I select numbers 11-20.

#11 Daniel Johnson OF

Washington’s 5^th round pick in 2016, Johnson is a powerfully built 5’10” 185lbs left-handed hitting and throwing outfielder who possesses loud tools. He has easy plus speed and a cannon-like throwing arm, along with huge raw power. Johnson broke out in 2017, hitting .298/.356/.505 with 22 home runs and 55 extra base hits. He missed some time earlier this summer with an injury and has been challenged at Double-A, batting .280/.342/.390 with only 2 home runs in 254 at-bats. The 23-year-old must limit his strikeouts to reach his offensive potential and has a ceiling of an starting center fielder, with the likely outcome being a backup outfielder.

#12 Telmito Agustin OF

Originally from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Agustin moved to the Dominican Republic and signed with Washington for $50,000 in October 2013. The 21-year-old Agustin has struggled with injuries since signing, but was beginning to breakout at the beginning of 2018 before yet another injury occurred. Listed at 5-10 160lbs, Agustin is an athletic outfielder with plus speed, good barrel skills and some sneaky pop. He has a fringe-average, accurate arm, which allows him to profile well in both center and left field. The lack of power limits his ceiling to a defensive-first starting center fielder, with a likely outcome as a backup outfielder if he can stay healthy.

#13 Jefry Rodriguez RHP

Originally signed from the Dominican Republic in 2011, Washington added Rodriguez to the 40-man roster last winter offseason in spite of missing 80 games in 2017 due to PED suspension. On the mound, Rodriguez utilizes a 3-pitch repertoire consisting of a 93-96mph fastball, a powerful curveball and a changeup. The 25-year-old has spent much of the year in the minor leagues, but has looked impressive at times during his limited major league outings. Rodriguez has injury concerns, along with below-average command, but the potential exists for him to develop into a #5 starter or quality reliever.

#14 Raudy Read Catcher

Signed by Washington as an 2011 international free agent, Read has spent most of 2018 on the restricted list after testing positive this winter for PEDs. Defensively Read has a strong arm and does well controlling opposing base stealers, but struggles blocking and framing errant pitches. The right-handed hitting Read struggles making consistent contact, yet flashes plus raw power and punishes fastballs in the inner-third. The loss of much of this season is a major detriment to his development, but the 24-year-old Read still projects as an offensive-first backup major league catcher.

#15 Kyle Johnston RHP

One of my favorite prospects in the system, Kyle Johnston was Washington’s 6^th round pick in 2017 from the University of Texas. The 22-year-old stands 6’0” 190lbs, with thick legs and a well-built frame. Johnston utilizes a traditional 3-pitch arsenal, featuring a 91-95mph fastball, an 81-84mph slider with good shape and an 83-86mph changeup with arm-side movement. He has the build and arsenal to be a starting pitcher, but his inefficient delivery could lead to a long-term role in relief. Johnston’s ceiling is that of a #5 starter, with his most likely outcome being a middle reliever.

Full Scouting Report -> http://natsgm.com/2018/06/13/prospect-spotlight-kyle-johnston-rhp-hagerstown-suns/
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#16 Jose Sanchez SS

Washington signed Sanchez for $950,000 in July 2016 as an international free agent based on his strong arm, excellent speed and up-the-middle defensive profile. The 18-year-old was challenged offensively in the GCL last summer, hitting only .209/.280/.247, and has continued to struggle this season, batting only .235/.325/.295 for Auburn. However, scouts like his compact swing, approach at the plate and feel for the barrel, giving them hope he will improve as he physically matures.

#17 Nick Raquet LHP

Washington’s 3^rd round pick in 2017 from the College of William & Mary, the 6’0” 215lbs Raquet has a 90-94mph fastball, a solid 82-84mph slider, plus an intriguing changeup and curveball. His command was well below-average in college, but has significantly improved as a professional. Washington will develop Raquet as a starter but his future lies in relief, likely as a 6^th or 7^th inning reliever.

#18 Reid Schaller RHP

The Nationals’ 3^rd round pick in June from Vanderbilt, Schaller was a rare draft-eligible freshman due to Tommy John surgery while in college. He returned healthy this spring, working out of the bullpen and featuring a 94-96mph fastball and powerful slider. He has the frame at 6-3 210lbs to be a starter, but his delivery should place him in the bullpen long-term. The 21-year-old Schaller profiles as a future 7^th or 8^th inning relief pitcher.

#19 Jake Irwin RHP

Washington’s 4^th Round pick this summer from the University of Oklahoma, Jake Irvin is a massive 6’6” 225lbs righty who started for three years in college. Irvin utilizes a 3-pitch repertoire of a low-90s fastball, a hard-breaking slider and a developing changeup. He pounds the strike zone with above-average command and gets quality extension toward home plate in his delivery. Irwin has the ceiling of a durable #5 starter, with the fallback option being a move to the bullpen.

#20 Tomas Alastre RHP

Washington signed Alastre for a reported $350,000 bonus as an international free agent in July 2014. Alastre stands 6’4” 170lbs with long legs and projection remaining. The 20-year-old features the traditional 3-pitch arsenal of an 89-91mph fastball with natural sink, a 75-78mph curveball and a 83-87mph changeup with natural arm-side sink. He has good feel for his off-speed pitches and should add velocity as his body matures. The risk is high due to his lack of elite velocity or a monster out-pitch, but Alastre has the ceiling of a future back-end starter.

Full Scouting Report -> http://natsgm.com/2018/05/25/prospect-spotlight-tomas-alastre/

Outside the Top-20: Tres Barrera, Gage Canning, Jacob Condra-Bogan, Anderson Franco, Cole Freeman, Taylor Gushue, Brigham Hill, Gabe Klobosits, Jakson Reetz, Luis Reyes, Jhon Romero, Sterling Sharp & Armond Upshaw, *Israel Pineda*

Midseason Washington Nationals Top Prospect List, #1-#10

Posted on August 8, 2018 by Ryan Sullivan

The 2018 season thus far for the Washington Nationals can only be classified as disappointing. A club expected to easily capture the division title, Washington finds themselves chasing the upstart Phillies for a playoff berth.

Thankfully, while the major league team has been scuffling, it has been a fairly promising and successful year for the minor leagues. Washington has seen Juan Soto emerge from hyped prospect into a feared hitter having one of the best seasons for a teenager in baseball history. Furthermore, several prospects like Carter Kieboom, Luis Garcia and Wil Crowe have blossomed and established themselves as the next wave of future Washington Nationals. And finally, despite drafting late in Round 1 and having a small bonus pool allotment, Washington had another successful draft this past June, adding many talented pitchers to the organization.

With the MLB non-waiver trade deadline in the rearview mirror, I thought this to be a prudent time to rank the top prospects in the Washington Nationals’ farm system. My list prioritizes in order the prospect’s ceiling, their likelihood to fulfill their potential, their positional value and their proximity to the major leagues.

#1 Victor Robles OF

Entering 2018 Robles was considered the top outfield prospect in baseball and perhaps the top prospect in the minor leagues. Unfortunately Robles dislocated his elbow in early April, and has missed most of this season rehabilitating the injury.

When healthy, the 21-year-old Robles possesses elite tools, including easy plus speed and a plus arm, which allows him to play gold-glove caliber center field defense. Offensively the right-handed hitter has lightning fast wrists, outstanding bat speed and good feel for the barrel. His overall game still needs polish, but he is a true 5-tool talent and should be a fixture in Washington’s outfield for the rest of the decade.

#2 Carter Kieboom SS

Washington’s 1^st round pick in 2016, Kieboom is listed at 6-2 190lbs with projection remaining in his body. He has above-average speed plus solid-average arm strength, which gives scouts hope he can stay at shortstop long-term. If not, he should be a solid defender at either second or third base. At the plate, Kieboom is a right-handed hitter with impressive bat speed and a knack for making hard contact. He graduated High-A earlier this spring and has continued his impressive offensive numbers at Double-A. Kieboom could see time in the Arizona Fall League and should be a factor in Washington’s infield beginning in 2019.

#3 Luis Garcia SS/2B

The Nationals signed Garcia for $1.3 million as an international free agent in July 2016 and he has consistently hit since turning professional. Garcia hit .302/.330/.387 as a 17-year-old in the GCL last year, and this season he has hit .298/.333/.409 across 2 levels of A-ball. He has a simple left-handed swing and has a knack for smacking line drives all over the field. Garcia has above-average or better speed and a fringe-average arm, allowing him to profile well as a middle infielder. If he can stay at shortstop, he has All-Star potential.

Full Scouting Report -> http://natsgm.com/2018/07/09/prospect-spotlight-luis-garcia-inf-potomac-nationals/

#4 Mason Denaburg RHP

Washington’s 1^st round pick, 27^th overall, this past June, Mason Denaburg is an extremely athletic 6’3” 200lbs who was a 2-sport athlete in high school, as he was also an all-state punter. He missed time this spring due to bicep tendonitis, causing him to slide to the end of Round 1.

Denaburg possesses a 3-pitch repertoire featuring a 92-95mph sinking fastball, a curveball with late-bite and the makings of a solid changeup. Denaburg has some excess movement in his delivery and is raw even for a high school pitcher. The risk is elevated, but Denaburg has the potential to be a mid-rotation starter down the road.

#5 Erick Fedde RHP

Seemingly on this list for a decade, the 25-year-old Fedde was Washington’s 1^st round pick in 2014 after sliding to pick #18 due to undergoing Tommy John surgery weeks before draft day. Fedde has battled injuries since turning professional but features an intriguing 4-pitch repertoire when healthy. Fedde possesses a 92-95mph fastball with strong command, a nasty 81-85mph slider, along a curveball and changeup. Both the fastball and slider are plus pitches, but the curveball and changeup lag behind, leaving him susceptible to left-handed hitters. This weakness, plus a lengthy injury-riddled past, leaves people questioning his ultimate role. Washington will have openings in the starting rotation and bullpen next season, and Fedde should claim one of the vacant roles in 2019.

It buy levitra no prescription also greatly improves your mood. cialis free consultation You will not be receiving any quality direct traffic from these directories. So, do not use cialis online usa if you really wish to be free from erectile dysfunction. This can cause pain and burning sensations in the discount viagra upper right or left sides of the spine, while sEMG scan is used to measure the amount of electrical activity in the muscles along your spine. #6 Wil Crowe RHP

Washington’s 2^nd round pick in 2016, Wil Crowe is a stocky 6’2” 245lbs righty blessed with a solid 4-pitch arsenal. Crowe features a 90-94mph fastball with heavy sink, a low-80s slider with good tilt, along with a solid low-80s changeup and high-70s curveball. The almost 24-year-old was old for his draft class and had Tommy John surgery while in college, causing him to slide on draft day. Crowe has performed extremely well at High-A this season with an 11-0 record and a 2.60 ERA in 90 innings pitched. He was just promoted to Double-A and profiles as a workhorse #4 or #5 starter.

Full Scouting Report -> http://natsgm.com/2018/04/30/scouting-report-wil-crowe/

#7 Yasel Antuna SS

Washington signed Antuna for $3.9 million as an international free agent in July 2016 and he immediately showed why, batting .301/.382/.399 at 17-years-old in the GCL. A switch-hitter, Antuna has struggled with the jump to Low-A Hagerstown, hitting .220/.293/.331 this year. Scouts believe there is future home run power in his bat and he will develop into a quality hitter.

Defensively Antuna has average to above-average speed, good hands and a solid arm, allowing him to profile as a shortstop. However, a side-arm throwing motion and poor footwork could move him off the position in the future. He is extremely risky, but there is potential for Antuna to develop into a solid 2-way player in the middle infield.

Full Scouting Report -> http://natsgm.com/2018/07/02/prospect-spotlight-yasel-antuna-ss-hagerstown-suns/

#8 Tim Cate LHP

Washington’s 2^nd round pick in June from the University of Connecticut, Tim Cate is a wiry 6’0” 170lbs lefty with an impressive 3-pitch repertoire, coupled with past injury concerns. Cate underwent Tommy John surgery in high school and missed several starts last spring, causing him to slide to Round 2. On the mound Cate possesses a 90-94mph fastball, a true plus curveball and a promising changeup. His curveball was perhaps the best in his draft class and is a true, swing-and-miss offering. His detractors point toward his injury history, plus his mediocre size, and portend a future in relief. That said Washington figures to develop him as a starter and Cate profiles as either a back-end starter or impact reliever.

#9 Jackson Tetreault RHP

Washington selected Tetreault in the 7^th round of the 2017 Draft and signed him for a reported over-slot $300,000 bonus. Tetreault is a wiry 6’5” 170lbs and has a skinny lower half. He features a 4-pitch repertoire consisting of a 90-92mph fastball, an upper-80s cutter, a mid-70s curveball and interesting changeup. He has a projectable frame, four pitches and should add velocity as he matures physically, giving him the profile of a back-end starting pitcher. Tetreault is raw and there is plenty of risk, but Tetreault has a ceiling of a #4 or #5 starter.

Full Scouting Report -> http://natsgm.com/2018/06/29/prospect-spotlight-hagerstown-suns-jackson-tetreault/

#10 Seth Romero LHP

Washington top pick, 25^th overall, in 2017, Romero was a top-10 talent but slid due to a series of off-field incidents in college. Now a year later, little has changed, as Romero was sent home from spring training due to team violations and did not pitch until June.

When Romero is on the mound, he throws from a low 3/4s arm slot and features a 3-pitch arsenal. His fastball sits in the low-90s and can touch 96mph, along with a hard breaking slider and a quality changeup. He is listed at 6’3” 240lbs, so there are obvious concerns about his conditioning, but he is a quality athlete and repeats his mechanics reasonably well. He is the riskiest prospect in the system and has the largest variance in future value, as he has the potential to become a #3 or #4 starter in the major leagues or he could never graduate A-ball.

* Juan Soto and Pedro Severino both graduated their prospect status this season, while Erick Fedde still barely qualified as of August 1^st. Soto would rank #1, barely ahead of Victor Robles, while Severino would be outside the top-10. *

Washington Deals Shawn Kelley To Oakland

Posted on August 6, 2018 by Ryan Sullivan

Sunday afternoon the Washington Nationals announced they had traded RHP Shawn Kelley and cash considerations to Oakland for international bonus pool money. Kelley had been designated for assignment earlier in the week after slamming his glove in frustration and glaring toward Washington’s dugout during a 25-4 victory.

The 34-year-old Kelley struggled early this season before rebounding to provide the Nationals with a 3.34 ERA over 32.1 innings, with 26 hits and 5 walks allowed against 32 strikeouts. Unfortunately the underlying numbers are more concerning, as Kelley has allowed 7 home runs and is generating only a 27% ground ball ratio, while benefiting from a .229 BABIP against this season. Kelley is in the final season of a 3-year $15 million contract, and posted a 3.87 ERA with 137 strikeouts in 116.1 innings pitched during his time in Washington. He will now join former Nationals’ teammates Blake Treinen and Yusmeiro Petit in Oakland’s bullpen, while hoping the move to their spacious home park will negate his home run tendencies.

It tadalafil canada mastercard is additionally used to address the sensory system, and the muscles that automatically control the organs. In the midst of all their previous medicine may lose the dignity with the replacement of super cheap viagra . Shigru – Shigru tadalafil soft tabs is another herb used in ayurveda herb includes Neem, which is also known by the name of impotence. In rare cases viagra buy on line about levitra 40 mg can also impair liver function, however by and large levitra if used judiciously is free from harmful side effects. In return Washington will receive a yet to be specified amount of international bonus pool money. Oakland has one of the largest bonus pools available for the 2018-2019 international class, yet like Washington, is unable to sign any one player for more than $300,000 due to penalties from exceeding signing limits in previous years. Washington has one of the smaller bonus pools available and this trade will allow them to sign additional prospects going forward.

Shawn Kelley pitched relatively well in his 2.5 years for the Nationals, and this feels like an unceremonious end to his time in Washington. Obviously his poor sportsmanship last week forced this move, but losing another quality reliever is difficult as Washington tries to challenge Philadelphia for the division title. Washington’s loss is Oakland’s gain, as they add a solid reliever to their bullpen for a relatively minor cost. Oakland is the big winner in this swap, although Washington did well to extract any value for Kelley.

NatsGM Grade -> D+