Minor League Monday

Columbus Clippers

Yurendell Eithel de Caster – The Nats Blog last saw Yurendell ripping up double A Harrisburg. A former Olympian for the Netherlands, de Caster has never been able to crack the bigs for a consistent stay despite incredible versatility (plays first, second, third and outfield) and solid production. After an initial stumble upon his promotion to Columbus, de Caster has rebounded and is again making his case for a big league promotion. Since his move to Columbus de Caster has batted .321 with 3 homers, 16 RBI’s, and 39 total bases. It’s going to be hard for the Nats to promote him because the Major League club is so crowded right now. The only chance he has to come up before the rosters expand is if Willie Harris or Mackowiak falter and Dimitri Young’s rehab slows. It would still be nice to see though, for “Yunny.”

Harrisburg Senators

Jordan Zimmerman- The Nationals top pitching prospect earned a promotion from single A Potomac after just 5 appearances where he went 3-1 with a 1.65 ERA, 31/8 K/BB ratio, a .167 average against and yes, even 1 save. Since his promotion Jordan has continued to produce but now at a higher level. In 12 innings of work Zimmerman has a 2.92 ERA with 12 K’s and only four walks. Opponents are only hitting .200 against him and he has a 1-1 record. If Jordan continues this development we may get to see him make an appearance in Nats Park by the late summer. It’s another bright future for a Zimmerman in Washington.

Potomac Nationals

Adrian Alaniz – The Nats drafted Alaniz in the eighth round last year out of the University of Texas at Austin. At 24 Alaniz is getting a little old to be in single A but is currently doing everything in his power to pitch his way out of it. In seven starts for Potomac, Alaniz has a 4-0 record with a 2.19 ERA. He has 35 K’s with only 14 walks in 37 innings. Not only has he pitched well overall, but he has shown improvement, allowing only 3 earned runs in his last 23 innings of work. He is a four year college guy, so his age is forgivable if he shows quick improvement and maturity, which Alaniz has, expect him to get a promotion real soon.

Minor League Monday

Columbus Clippers-
Michael O’Connor- O’Connor is getting a little bit old to be considered a prospect anymore. Now at the age of 27, he got his first taste of the big leagues last year filling in for the never injured John Patterson. A George Washington alumni, O’Connor hadn’t done much in the National’s organization to warrant much more then an emergency call up in the middle of July. So far this year however, O’Connor has been arguably the best pitcher in the National’s system. In four starts for Columbus so far, the lefty has gone 2-0, with a 1.96 ERA. In 23 innings of work he has recorded 20 strikeouts and only allowed 4 walks.

Harrisburg Senators-

Yurendell Eithel de Caster-Who? Exactly…Yurndell de Caster is the epitome of a career journeyman minor leaguer. Signed by Tampa in 1996 at the age of 16, De Caster has only managed two career at bats (last year for Pittsburgh). Even more impressive then de Caster’s inability to make it to the show, is his unbelievable versatility. In 2005 with the Indianapolis Indians, de Caster recorded 28 games at third, 25 at first, 13 at second, and 58 in the outfield. Not only is de Caster’s story just plain weird, it warrant’s mention because of how unbelievably well he has preformed so far this year. In 17 games between Harrisonburg and Columbus, Yurendell has batted .328, hit 4 homers and driven in 19 runs. He’s reached base .434 percent of the time and is slugging just under .600. (Another interesting fact about Yurendell, he hit three bombs in the 2006 Olympics for The Netherlands…)

Potomac Nationals-
Jordan Zimmerman- Building upon last weeks no hit bid, Jordan Zimmerman continues to impress with yet another quality start. Friday night against the Wilmington Blue Rocks the 22 year old tossed 5 shut out innings striking out six and allowing only three hits, while lowering his overall ERA to .061 He is still a long way away from the Nationals clubhouse, but the continued development of the young righty is promising.