Nats Farm Report for Week Ending June 26

by Tyler Radecki, Staff Writer

Syracuse Chiefs, AAA International League

4-3 for the week, 31-43 overall

Pitching Report:

Ross Detwiler: He improved his record to 6-6 Sunday with a five-inning, one earned run start against Rochester.  Detwiler gave up four hits, walked two and struck out four in the outing.  Monday he gave up two eraned runs in 6 2/3 inning, allowing just three hits -- though he walked four -- and struck out three.  He has a 2.61 ERA in June, rebounding well after struggling much of the month of May.  Opponents are hitting just .200 off Detwiler in June, and he given more than two earned runs in a start just once in his last five outings.

Brad Meyers: He was solid on Saturday, striking out three and giving up two runs over six innings. He’s been a little more hittable this month (.314 average against), but he’s striking out nearly a batter an inning and has just five walks in AAA.

Tom Milone: Another strong start from Milone, this time striking out seven in six innings of work with three runs against. His strikeout rate is impressive considering he doesn’t possess a big fastball, and he’s been consistent all year long. Definitely liking what I’m seeing from Milone.

Yunesky Maya: He gave up one run in three innings of a start that was postponed because of rain. He’s given up seven runs in eight innings since his return to AAA.

Josh Wilkie: A tough week for Wilkie – he gave up six earned runs in just 1 2/3 innings. He’s been much more hittable in June (8.71 ERA), so hopefully he can turn it around soon.

Hitting Report –

Steve Lombardozzi: Called up to AAA this week, Lombardozzi seems to have had no problems adjusting to the next level, hitting .458/.458/.542 in five games so far. USA Today mentioned him as well, noting that he looks like “a perfect No. 2 hitting in someone’s – ideally Washington’s – lineup in the near future.”

Chris Marrero: His batting eye has definitely improved, as his OBP is up to .360 on the year after four walks in his last ten games. He also had four RBI this week, raising his total to 38 on the year. His line of .292/.360/.430 isn’t bad at all – oh, and he has just two errors this year.

Matt Antonelli: He’s in the middle of a nine-game hitting streak, and his average in Syracuse is a cool .325 in 120 at-bats. His discipline is good (16 walks to 18 strikeouts) and he’s also slugging .483. He can play short, second and third, and I’d bet he’s called up if one of the position players in Washington finds themselves on the DL.

Jesus Flores: He had six hits in 12 at-bats this week, hitting one home run and driving in eight RBIs. He’s not walking, but seeing him hit for some power and driving in runs is a welcome sight.

Corey Brown: He’s starting to turn it around a little bit, hitting .270/.372/.649 over his last ten games with two doubles, four home runs and seven RBIs. He had a big night Wednesday, going 2-for-4 with two walks, a home run and two RBIs. His average on the year is still just .212, but the past week or so may be a sign of things to come.

Harrisburg Senators, AA Eastern League

4-2 for the week, 43-31 overall

Pitching Report:

Brad Peacock: Another week, another solid start from Peacock, this time throwing 6 1/3 shutout innings with five hits, one walk and six strikeouts. He has a ridiculous 114 strikeouts in 87 innings this year, and would be in AAA, I believe, if the rotation in Syracuse wasn’t already full.

Shairon Martis: The 24-year-old pitched 8 1/3 shutout innings on Sunday, giving up just three hits with 10 strikeouts. His ERA in AA Harrisburg is 2.95, and he’s 3-1 with a 2.10 ERA in June. He’s starting to strike out hitters, too: he has eight or more strikeouts in three of his last four starts. He’s worth watching as he tries to battle back to the majors.

Hitting Report:

Derek Norris: He was just 2-for-10 this week, dropping his average to .217 on the season. He still gets on base (three walks this week), and his OPS is a very solid .837 despite the low average. If he could just hit .250 without sacrificing walks or power, he’d be a monster.

Tyler Moore: He’s struggling right now, hitting just .194 in his last ten games. He did have two homers this week (to bring his total to 14), so it’s good to see the power is still there.

Potomac Nationals, High-A Carolina League

1-3 for the week, 30-43 overall

Pitching Report:

Josh Smoker: He pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings this week with two hits and four strikeouts.

Cameron Selik: He gave up five runs in five innings Sunday, but just one of them was earned. His ERA on the year is a solid 3.45, but he has just 26 strikeouts in 47 innings.

Hitting Report:

Eury Perez: His average continues to fall (.278 now) as he’s hitting just .200 in his last ten games. Since he doesn’t draw walks or hit for much power, his average is crucial, and he needs to get it back up close to .300. A .245 overall average in June won’t cut it.

Destin Hood: Hood returned from the DL, but is just 2-for-12 with two walks since his return.

Jeff Kobernus: Kobernus is hitting .400 in his last ten games but came down to earth, going 5-for-18 (.277) this week (an 0-for-4 Sunday hurt him). Still, he’s hitting well in June overall (.294/.302/.447) and his speed is a great tool.

Hagerstown Suns, Low-A South Atlantic League

2-2 for the week, 42-32 overall

Pitching Report:

According to the Hagerstown Suns official team website, Chien-Ming Wang will start for the Suns tonight in his first rehab assignment.

Robbie Ray: Ray had his first bad start of his career Sunday, giving up six runs (five earned) in 4 2/3 innings, striking out six and walking two. I’d bet it is just a bump in the road for Ray, who has been very impressive so far.

Taylor Jordan: Jordan was great in his start Friday, tossing seven innings of two-run ball with five hits, two walks and eight strikeouts. He’s getting a ton of groundouts and has been consistent all season long.

Sammy Solis: He had a so-so start this week, giving up four runs in seven innings. His June ERA is still at 3.64, and he’s struck out 27 in 29 innings this month.

Christopher Manno: He had just one inning of work this week, but it was a scoreless one. ERA on the year down to 1.09.

Hitting Report:

Bryce Harper: He wasn’t promoted to Potomac or Harrisburg and sat out the Home Run Derby because of a thumb injury, but he says he’s fine and other than a down week (2-for-12 with a double), all indications are that he’s continuing to dominate low-A. He’s hitting .322/.421/.569 and it may be that the team still wants him to improve his defense in RF before promoting him. We’ll see – he has three errors so far this year.

David Freitas: Hitting .305 in his last ten games, capped off by a 2-for-4, two RBI day on Sunday. He had five RBI this week, bringing his total to 51 (six more than Harper). Freitas is a very real prospect at catcher, and he’s due a promotion sometime soon.

Blake Kelso: Harper called Kelso the team’s best player this week, citing his high average (.321) and plate discipline (27 walks to 31 strikeouts). He’s hitting just .250 in his last ten and he has 12 errors on the season, but he’s a good hitter at shortstop.

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Pitcher to Watch: Ross Detwiler. He’s bounced back from a terrible May to post strong numbers in June so far, and he has definitely worked himself back into the discussion for call-ups should a starter get injured in Washington.

Hitter to Watch: Steve Lombardozzi. Called up to Syracuse, he’s already hitting well there (though it’s been less than a week). He doesn’t have any outstanding tools, but he has great discipline and can hit for average. It’s early to talk about him as a call-up, but if he keeps his hitting up, he may force himself into the picture.