Keep in mind,that we attempt to be honest here and look at players potential by evaluating and yes,guessing, what they may do as they move up the ladder of the National farm system
We aren't always correct and we've made our share of mistakes,but we've been right far more than wrong and I'm pretty proud of that track record.
This has been a scouting based site at it's heart from day one and even though I may like some of the players that I write about on a personal level,these year in reviews have nothing to with that and I believe that they are unbiased.
We aren't a "Go Suns Go" site and if that's what you are looking for- there are other places to go for that.
Thanks for the time and even though you may not agree with all the evaluations and thoughts,I hope that I was able to make you think...
The 2014 Hagerstown Suns were built around their prospect pitchers.
It allowed them to complete the best overall record in the Northern Division and it killed them in the series against the Asheville Tourists..
The biggest name is Lucas Giolito and the 6'6 righthander did not disappoint.
Many thought his time in Hagerstown would be short,I thought he would be in High A,if he pitched well in the first half.
All were wrong as the Nationals kept Giolito in the Hub City all season and true to form,stuck to their 98 inning pitching limit,which shut him down late in the season.
Without Giolito in the rotation,the undermanned Suns had to rely on the lesser lights of their staff.
Giolito dominated the SAL at 19 (for most of the season),which is surprising yet expected.
Surprising because at his age,one expects some growing pains as a high school draftee,yet expected because of the skills he possesses.
Giolito's command was quite impressive (28 walks) and showed impressive maturity over the course the season.
Giolito has all the tools,but the one thing that I wonder about is the high fastball,which tends to get a little straight.
At higher levels,that is a flaw that will need to be corrected as those hitters will feast on that pitch.
Otherwise,Giolito has the potential to be the top of the rotation starter for years to come in Washington...
Giolito could start at AA Harrisburg,which is where I would put him to challenge him,but the Nationals may decide to start him at High A Potomac instead.
The breakout star was Reynaldo Lopez,who ,despite losing the third game against Asheville ,was the shining light of the final month,
Lopez throws as hard as the touted Giolito and has a sharp curve that is the type that makes you gasp.
Lopez and his handful of late season starts were the talk of the stadium and in many ways,I like him as much as Giolito.
My biggest concern with Lopez?
His size.
Listed at 6'0,there is no way he is remotely that tall and I always worry about slight pitchers that throw very hard.
The shelf life for that pitcher does not tend to be as long as others,but that is the only question mark that I have about Lopez,who should start next season at High A Potomac...
Austin Voth made the SAL All-Star team in a season that saw him reach AA Harrisburg.
Voth was excellent at Hagerstown,but even better in a short term at Potomac.
Voth's season ended shortly after reaching AA,but the 22 year old former Washington Huskie averaged over a strikeout an inning in his three stops,which is a stat that I look closely at in the low minors.
The prospects dip quickly after the upper three,which is to be expected.
Jake Johansen throws very hard,but needs development in adding something softer to his toolbox.
As a starter,Johansen was often pounded,but I saw potential in his ten or so appearances after moving to the bullpen,which looks to be a better fit for the Texan.
Johansen does turn 24 before the 2015 season starts,so time is ticking a bit,
Johansen will likely start at High A Potomac,although I wouldn't be shocked with a Harrisburg assignment with a strong spring,
Nick Pivetta was not impressive to me in posting a four plus ERA,striking out well under a batter an inning and looks to me to be a flyball pitcher that was helped by the confines of the Muni.
Pivetta's stuff is just average and I don't see anything that makes me think he is more than an AAA level pitcher at best..
Pivetta will have a chance to prove me wrong at High A Potomac.
I would say the same for Hector Silvestre,who split his season between the Suns and Potomac,if not for one thing-when Silvestre was good,he was very good and that makes me think that there may be something that is correctable somewhere.
I have questions on Silvestre,but his good nights (which weren't as common as his bad ones) intrigue me into waiting another year.
Silvestre should return to High A Potomac.
Wander Suero was borderline dominant in Hagerstown,yet was practice fodder in Potomac.
Combine that question with wonders about a slight,lanky frame and I have doubts about long term/higher level viability.
Suero does throw reasonably hard,so I'm not giving up on him yet...
Moving to pitchers that made a few starts early or late in the season.
John Simms was dominant in five Hagerstown appearances,but his numbers in Potomac and Harrisburg were pedestrian,so the jury is out there.
Matthew Spann was very similar to Simms,dominant in Hagerstown,average elsewhere.
Travis Ott was less than impressive in a small sample size late in the season,but I'm willing to give him next season to form a firm opinion.
Brett Mooneyham was thought of as a high prospect at this time last year,but injuries have taken their toll as he was rocked at Potomac and didn't look like the same pitcher after being returned to Hagerstown.
He may be finished as a prospect.
Andrew Cooper was a spot starter and spent more time in the bullpen with an ERA over five,I don't consider Cooper a prospect.
The relievers were a mixed bunch with one or two standing out.
Jake Walsh was an All-Star before a Potomac promotion and posted excellent numbers at both levels,but turns 24 before next season,so he was a bit old for those levels,
David Napoli took over as the teams closer from Walsh and did well.
Problem is that he will be 24 by next season's opener and was way too old for the SAL.
Napoli is a lefty though,so that plays in his favor.
Justin Thomas was a player that I winced whenever he came into the game,but his season ending stats were far better than I would have wagered.
Like David Napoli,he starts next season at 24 and like Napoli,he is lefthanded,so..
Ryan Ullmann was also 23 all season and his numbers weren't as impressive,Ullmann will have to make a quick jump in order to avoid the organizational soldier label.
Phillips Valdez has decent stuff,but the numbers didn't quite match.
Valdez will be 23 next season and will,like Ullmann,need a fast start.
Joseph Webb pitched well and I liked his ability to keep the ball on the ground,but he will be 24 when the season starts and coming off an injury.
Sam Johns was a late round 2014 pick that looks like an organizational soldier to me after being- wait for it-23 years old.
The diminutive Cody Davis is already 24 and was decent enough at Hagerstown and Potomac despite less than top notch stuff.
Davis is likely already thought of as an organizational soldier.
No other Sun made more than an handful of appearances and since some of those were on the road,I didn't see enough to offer an opinion off of seeing them pitch.
The Washington Nationals have built themselves winning teams in Hagerstown and Potomac by drafting older players and having them be successful at lower level by simply filling those teams with experience.
By the time those players reach Harrisburg,some of them have reached their level and the Senators do not share that same success.
It is not a coincidence that the pitchers that seem to have the most success are the younger pitchers (Giolito,Lopez and Voth) that are able to establish themselves against older or same age appropriate competition,while the older pitchers are not truly considered as prospects.
Tomorrow with some luck,I'll take a look at the position players....
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