Nationals Arm Race

"… the reason you win or lose is darn near always the same – pitching.” — Earl Weaver

May 2013: Minor League Monthly Rotation Review

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Welcome back Matt Purke. Photo AP/Nati Harnik

With the draft and the big early June roster shakeup and the College World Series going on (I’m apparently the only guy in Nats-land who cares about it), I’m a little late with this monthly quick glance at the Minor League starters.  Here’s April 2013’s version.

For each level, I’ll put out the Rotation members, their “letter grades” per start and then throw in a quick table to show their seasonal stats for context.  As with last month, the top group of Starters per level is the “current rotation” as best as we can figure it, then I’ve got a line for guys who got spot starts or (especially in the lower levels) guys who did long relief or “second start” stints.


AAA Rotation

  • Maya: A,D+,A–>promoted/dfa/back, D-/inc->injury
  • Tatusko: B+,A,C-
  • Ohlendorf: A,C-,D,D-,A,A
  • Torra:  D,D-
  • Rosenbaum: D,A,F,B+,B-,F
  • Roark: A
  • Mandel: B-,D+,A
  • Perry: F,B,F,F -> D/L
  • Young: B,C-,F-,C-,D-/inc -> D/L

Discussion: Syracuse YTD Stats are here for reference

May saw some interesting movement in the underperforming Syracuse rotation.  MLFA signing and supposed MLB rotation insurance policy #1  Chris Young continued to struggle before hitting the D/L.  Similarly, Ryan Perry put in a number of ugly appearances and also landed on the D/L.  This created an opeing for two new guys in the rotation, handled somewhat ably by Ryan Tatusko and somewhat less ably by MLFA Matt Torra.  Ross Ohlendorf righted the ship a bit and put himself in line for an earned callup on the strength of several good outings, only to have the weather in Washington conspire against him.  Yunesky Maya got a long-deserved DFA and outright, and now sits in limbo having not pitched since his aborted 5/31 start.  Lastly Danny Rosenbaum continues to have the best stat line of any starter in Syracuse, but (as often discussed here) he seems destined for life as a 6-year free agent plying his trade elsewhere in this Mike Rizzo-run organization that values power arms over finesse artists.


AA Rotation

  • Gilliam: D,A+
  • Treinen: A,F,D,B+,C-,B+
  • Demny: D+,A+,A-,D,A,B
  • Clay: C-,F,D,A-,A-
  • Jordan B,A+,D/inc->up and back,A
  • Swynenberg C+,C+
  • Holland: B+
  • Rauh: A
  • Holder: released (why?)
  • Broderick: C-,C+->D/L
  • Broadway: A->promoted
  • Karns: A-,B+,F,C+,C+->promoted

Discussion: Harrisburg YTD Stats are here for reference

The Harrisburg rotation continues to house a number of sub 4.00 ERA hurlers and we’re starting to see some movement among the ranks.  First and foremost Nathan Karns “earned” a callup to the big club probably mostly by his placement on the 40-man roster at the time, but also b/c of his excellent K/9 ratio.   Brian Broderick‘s D/L stint (will he return at this point or go straight from the D/L->release?) has opened the door for a couple new names.  Taylor Jordan continues his great comeback from his 2011 Tommy John surgery.  Paul Demny‘s string of excellent starts earned him a brief Syracuse call-up.   Robert Gilliam struggled in his AA debut but righted the ship and (as of this writing) has decent enough AA numbers that he seems to be capable of sticking on.  One odd personnel move was the abrupt release of Trevor Holder, who didn’t have bad numbers on the season and was immediately picked up by San Diego.  I wonder if there’s something to this story.


High-A Rotation

  • Ray: B-,A,A/Inc,A,C-,B+/inc
  • Solis: C+/inc,A/inc (pitch count limited)
  • Cole: A,B+,D-,D,B-
  • Hill: A,A-/inc,B+,F,F
  • Schwartz: B-,A+,B+,A+,C-
  • Fischer: C+,D+
  • Bates A,B+
  • Holt: A
  • Herron: D+,B+ -> Promoted
  • Jordan:  A+->promoted
  • Gillam:  B,F->promoted
  • Dupra: D,B- -> demoted
  • Grace: A

Discussion: Potomac YTD Stats are here for reference

Welcome back Sammy Solis; he’s slowly getting re-initiated to the rotation and spent his last May starts on strict pitch count limits.   After a disastrous 2012 Robbie Ray continues his excellent campaign and may be making a statement for the next promotion (as of this writing: 81Ks in 62 innings as one of the younger guys in high-A?  wow).  A.J. Cole continues to be frustratingly hit or miss; one night he’ll strike out 11 in 6, another night he gives up 5 runs in 5.  Speaking of inconsistent; Taylor Hill‘s last two May starts were awful, then his first two June starts were stellar.  All in all though, Potomac’s rotation has been a bright point for the farm system and has produced a number of promotions before the all star break.


Low-A Rotation

  • Anderson: A,A-,F,A,C-,B+
  • Encarnation: A,A-,C-,D-,B->bullpen for Purke?
  • Lee: B+,F
  • Pineyro: A-,C+,C-,A,C
  • Purke: A
  • Henke: | C
  • Rauh: D,B+->up/down
  • RPena: C-,A for effort,C,F,C-
  • Fischer: A,A–>promoted
  • Turnbull: D+,F,D-,C- ->demoted

Discussion: Hagerstown YTD Stats are here for reference

I’ll be honest; right now its hard to tell what the “rotation” is in Hagerstown.   The arrival of Matthew Purke seemingly had to bump someone, but its hard to tell who.  Purke’s showing some great swing-and-miss stuff in his first pro starts in half-of-forever; if this guy can turn back into the prospect he once was, the Nats will be ecstatic.  DSL grads Pedro Encarnacion and Ivan Pineyro continue to put up good numbers for the Low-A Suns.  As does Dixon Anderson, who is seemingly due for a promotion at this point.

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