Baseball America says Nats have strong power arms, catchers among top 30 prospects

Baseball America says Nats have strong power arms, catchers among top 30 prospects
As I continue to focus on the depth of the Nationals minor league system, we turn our attention to Baseball America's rundown of the club's top talent. We already listed the top 12 Nationals prospects according to the publication. But what is interesting is to look at how Baseball America perceives the Nationals' talent from 11 to 30. Editor-in-chief John Manuel says two things jump out to him when he looks at the rest of the list of Nats prospects: catchers and frontline impact...

Additions of Turner and Ross alter Baseball America's Nats top prospects list

Additions of Turner and Ross alter Baseball America's Nats top prospects list
The recent three-team trade that brought a pair of top prospects from the Padres organization has altered Baseball America's latest Nationals prospect list. Baseball America editor-in-chief John Manuel listed Trea Turner and Joe Ross in the top six. One spot was opened up when outfielder Steven Souza Jr. was shipped to Tampa Bay. But to have two brand-new prospects added to the Nationals' talent base worthy of ranking in the top 10 is a big step in building the strength of the...

More on Showalter's Baseball America award

More on Showalter's Baseball America award
The Orioles sent out a release today confirming that Buck Showalter has been named Baseball America's Manager of the Year. I wrote a few days ago that the publication doesn't usually promote the award with an online article, but one has been posted this year. You can read it here. Showalter becomes the third manager to be recognized with the award twice, having also won it in 2012, since Baseball America began giving the honor in 1998. He joins Bobby Cox (2004 and 2010) and Mike Scioscia...

Baseball America names Duquette MLB Executive of the Year

Baseball America names Duquette MLB Executive of the Year
While executive vice president Dan Duquette works toward putting together a roster for the 2015 season, he continues to be rewarded for his work this year. Baseball America has named Duquette as its Major League Executive of the Year. The Sporting News honored him last month during the general managers' meetings. One day after Nelson Cruz agreed to terms on a four-year, $57 million contract with the Mariners, Duquette is rewarded in part for signing the outfielder to a one-year, $8 million...

Bundy, Harvey, Walker top Baseball America list of O's top 10 prospects

Bundy, Harvey, Walker top Baseball America list of O's top 10 prospects
For the fourth year in a row, pitcher Dylan Bundy has been ranked the Orioles' No. 1 prospect by Baseball America, which released its latest list of the top 10 Orioles prospects today. You can read the full list here (subscription required). Last year, the top four prospects were all pitchers; this year, after the top two pitchers, the next three are position player prospects. Here is a look at the list with a brief comment on each player: 1) Bundy: He had a healthy year with no setbacks and...

Phillies' actions with college players likely won't benefit other teams

Phillies' actions with college players likely won't benefit other teams
The Phillies' decision to turn in an unsigned college draft pick to the NCAA for engaging the services of an agent acting as an advisor appeared this week to at least temporarily hurt their standing in the eyes of some agents who take care of those college baseball players. It also might, in turn, have an adverse effect on their opportunities to sign some players later. One agent had said the "Phillies are out." The Phillies apparently alerted the NCAA that Oregon State left-hander Ben...

Nats No. 1 prospect: Lucas Giolito

Nats No. 1 prospect: Lucas Giolito
Drum roll please, it's time to announce Baseball America's No. 1 Nats prospect. It is, of course, 19-year-old right-hander Lucas Giolito, which comes as no surprise. Giolito rebounded from Tommy John surgery to post solid numbers in his first true pro season within the Nationals organization. In eight games with Rookie-level Gulf Coast Nationals and three starts at short-season Single-A Auburn, Giolito went 2-1 with a 1.96 ERA in 11 starts. In 36 2/3 innings, Giolito struck out 39...

Nats No. 2 prospect: A.J. Cole

Nats No. 2 prospect: A.J. Cole
The Nationals were pleased to be able to reacquire right-handed starter A.J. Cole prior to last season in another trade involving the Oakland A's. This was the deal involving power-hitter Michael Morse and the Seattle Mariners. Cole struggled during his time with the Athletics at the high Single-A level, then gained some consistency with Oakland's low Single-A team. But Cole really got going in his second go-round with the Nationals. He not only flourished at the Single-A level this time,...

Comparing Bundy and Gausman at the top of O's prospects list

Comparing Bundy and Gausman at the top of O's prospects list
After putting together the Orioles' top 10 prospects list this winter for Baseball America, the question I was asked the most was about ranking Dylan Bundy as the club's No. 1 prospect with Kevin Gausman No. 2. Some fans wondered how close it was between the two pitching prospects. First of all, keep in mind the editors at Baseball America - as they certainly should - make up the final list and have the final call. I certainly stand fully by the decision to rank Bundy No. 1. That list is...

No. 5 Nats prospect: Sammy Solis

No. 5 Nats prospect: Sammy Solis
The Nationals' No. 5 prospect is left-hander Sammy Solis. Before we talk about the talented southpaw, I wanted to pass along where I am the next few days. I am here in Manhattan, Kan., to call the radio version of George Washington basketball against the Kansas State Wildcats. The game is Dec. 31 at 3 p.m. Eastern time on MASN2 and 1500AM in Washington, D.C., area. Manhattan is known as the "Little Apple" in reference to Manhattan in New York City. It is also about three hours northwest...

No. 6 Nats Prospect: Michael Taylor

No. 6 Nats Prospect: Michael Taylor
It was a very good season for Michael Taylor. He worked daily with then-Single-A Potomac hitting coach Mark Harris to tweak his approach at the plate. He already commanded the outfield for the P-Nats and by the end of the season, his at-bats turned into clutch moments that kept Potomac in the running for the Mills Cup title to the final few days. Recently, Taylor earned a spot on the Nationals' 40-man roster. At 22, he is the second youngest outfielder on the roster. Some guy named Bryce...

No. 7 Nats prospect: Jake Johansen

No. 7 Nats prospect: Jake Johansen
At the end-of-season strength and conditioning camp, right-handed pitcher Jake Johansen was one of the three strongest players on hand. Johansen has the frame, a 6-foot-6 and 235-lbs., and worked very hard in his first season to command his tremendous fastball, which hit 94-96 mph and occasionally touched 99 mph. Baseball America likes what its sees from Johansen. National writer Aaron Fitt has Johansen in the top 10 of the Nationals prospects. No. 7 RHP Jake Johansen "He has always had...

Catching up with the author of Baseball America's top O's prospects list

Catching up with the author of Baseball America's top O's prospects list
Every year, right after the Baseball America Orioles top 10 prospects lists comes out, I rush to the phone to interview the writer of the list to get some insights on those players. This year I had to interview myself. At least I didn't have any trouble reaching the guy. It was exciting to be asked by Baseball America to do the O's list this year. They are the industry standard for prospects and when they talk about young players a lot of people listen. I tried to do a job worthy of their...

No. 8 Nats prospect: Nate Karns

No. 8 Nats prospect: Nate Karns
Nate Karns got a taste of the big leagues last season and held his own. The 6-foot-3, 230-lb. Karns did a nice job building off a very successful 2012 season by pitching well again last season. Karns went 10-6 with a 3.26 ERA in 23 starts for Double-A Harrisburg. His final numbers in his three major league starts - 0-1 with a 7.50 ERA - don't jump out, but he kept the Nationals in games against the Orioles and Braves. On June 2, he was almost able to get through five frames against Atlanta....

No. 9 Nats prospect: Steven Souza Jr.

No. 9 Nats prospect: Steven Souza Jr.
It was another attention grabbing season for outfielder Steven Souza Jr., in the Nationals organization. Souza also has garnered positive feedback from Baseball America, which has him moved up to the No. 9 spot in the Nationals' Top 10 prospects for 2014, according to Baseball America national writer Aaron Fitt. No. 9 OF Steven Souza Jr. "He is kind of a neat story and a talent," Fitt said. "I have heard scouts saying they really believe in him, that they think he can be a Matt...

Baseball America's Nats No. 1 prospect: Anthony Rendon

Baseball America's Nats No. 1 prospect: Anthony Rendon
When Anthony Rendon was first selected by the Nationals, there was a lot of excitement about his potential and how his quick hands and lightning reflexes in the batter's box would translate to the pro level. That excitement was tempered a bit when Rendon went down in April with a fractured ankle in a Single-A game at Lynchburg. Despite that ankle injury, Rendon came on strong and showed consistency in the field, which sets up for an exciting full season ahead. And the incredible potential...

Baseball America's Nats No. 3 prospect: Brian Goodwin

Baseball America's Nats No. 3 prospect: Brian Goodwin
Brian Goodwin has been a fan favorite ever since the Nationals drafted him. Always coveting a center fielder with speed who can hit, hit for power, get on base and has great range, Goodwin is working his way into that leadoff man of the future the Nats have been searching for in the draft. Denard Span takes over this season with the big boys, but Goodwin made a big splash last season as he tore through low Single-A Hagerstown and made the rare two-level jump to Double-A Harrisburg. He...

Baseball America's No. 4 Nats prospect: Matt Skole

Baseball America's No. 4 Nats prospect: Matt Skole
It was a tremendous summer for Matt Skole. He demonstrated his raw power over and over at low Single-A Hagerstown. Skole hit .286 in 101 games for the Suns, smacking 27 homers and recording 92 RBIs. He then got moved up to high Single-A Potomac. He hit .314 for the P-Nats, with 11 extra-base hits, although no homers, and 12 RBIs. The Nationals liked what they saw so much they gave him the opportunity to continue his season in the Arizona Fall League, where he played first base exclusively....

Baseball America's No. 7 Nats prospect: Eury Perez

Baseball America's No. 7 Nats prospect: Eury Perez
There has always been a lot of talk about the potential of outfielder Eury Perez. Last season, for the first time, Nationals fans finally got to see him play in the big leagues. Perez, ranked as No. 7 on Baseball America's list of 10 top Nationals prospects, played in 13 games in September, going 1-for-5 (.200) with three stolen bases and three runs. It was a small sample size, and now Perez will have a shot to try to grab one of the utility slots in the Nationals outfield in spring training...

Baseball America's No. 8 Nats prospect: Sammy Solis

Baseball America's No. 8 Nats prospect: Sammy Solis
I remember that July day in 2011 when left-hander Sammy Solis notched his first victory at the high Single-A Potomac Nationals. The southpaw was pretty pumped about that victory and the promise that inevitably lied ahead. That promise is still intact, now that Solis is recovering from Tommy John surgery performed in March. If everything goes well this season, Solis will be able to return to the mound and get through this season with an innings limit. Solis went 6-2 in 2011 with a 2.72 ERA...