Tag Archives: Alex Meyer

Washington Nationals 2012 Mid-Season Top 5 Prospect Rankings

By: J.P. Schwartz
@Jaypers413

As we are now halfway into the season and the signing deadline for 2012 draft picks has passed, here is my revised list of top 5 prospects in the Washington Nationals organization.

Remember, a prospect must have fewer than 130 ABs or 50 IP in the Major Leagues to qualify.
(Stats through 8/3/2012)

1) Lucas Giolito – P
Highest Level: 2012 Draft Pick – Has Not Played

2) Anthony Rendon – 3B
Highest Level: High-A Potomac Nationals
2012 Stats:
MILB: .342, 4(2B), 1(3B), 3HR, 9RBI

3) Brian Goodwin – OF
Highest Level: AA Harrisburg Senators
2012 Stats:
MILB: .301, 21(2B), 1(3B), 11HR, 44RBI, 16SB

4) Alex Meyer – P
Highest Level: High-A Potomac Nationals
2012 Stats:
MILB: 8-4, 2.69ERA, 107IP, 39BB, 122K, .207BAA

5) Matt Skole – 3B
Highest Level: Low-A Hagerstown Suns
2012 Stats:
MILB: .292, 18(2B), 25HR, 87RBI

Send your questions or feedback to J.P. on twitter @Jaypers413

2012 Washington Nationals Top 15 Prospect Rankings

By: J.P. Schwartz
@Jaypers413 on Twitter
JP’s FreedomCardboard Blog

2012 Washington Nationals Top 15 Prospect Rankings

Every year at this time I like to rank each team’s top prospects. My criteria is based upon both past performance and future potential to his parent team. This is my ranking of the 2012 Washington Nationals Top Prospects. If you have any questions about my rankings, feel free to shoot me a message on twitter @Jaypers413

To qualify, a prospect must have fewer than 130 at-bats or 50 innings in MLB

#1 Bryce Harper OF
Born: 10/16/1992
Highest Level Reached: Double-A Harrisburg Senators
2011 Combined Stats: .297, 24(2B), 2(3B), 17HR, 58RBI, 26SB

#2 Anthony Rendon 3B
Born: 6/6/1990
Highest Level Reached: 1st Round Pick 2011 MLB Draft
2011 Combined Stats: Did Not Play In 2011

#3 Brian Goodwin OF
Born: 11/2/1990
Highest Level Reached: Supplemental 1st Round Pick 2011 MLB Draft
2011 Combined Stats: Did Not Play In 2011

#4 Alex Meyer RHP
Born: 1/3/1990
Highest Level Reached: 1st Round Pick 2011 MLB Draft
2011 Combined Stats: Did Not Play In 2011

#5 Matt Purke LHP
Born: 7/17/1990
Highest Level Reached: 3rd Round Pick 2011 MLB Draft
2011 Combined Stats: Did Not Play In 2011

#6 Matt Skole 3B
Born: 7/30/1989
Highest Level Reached: Short-A Auburn Doubledays
2011 Combined Stats: .290, 23(2B), 1(3B), 5HR, 48RBI (5th Round Pick 2011 MLB Draft)

#7 Sammy Solis LHP
Born: 8/10/1988
Highest Level Reached: High-A Potomac Nationals
2011 Combined Stats: 8-3, 3.26ERA, 96.2IP, 23BB, 93K, .268BAA

#8 Robbie Ray LHP
Born: 10/1/1991
Highest Level Reached: Low-A Hagerstown Suns
2011 Combined Stats: 2-3, 3.13ERA, 89IP, 38BB, 95K, .221BAA

#9 Steve Lombardozzi 2B
Born: 9/20/1988
Highest Level Reached: MLB Washington Nationals
2011 Combined Stats: MINORS: .309, 25(2B), 9(3B), 8HR, 52RBI, 30SB
MAJORS: .194 (6 hits in 31 at-bats), 1(2B), 1RBI

#10 Tyler Moore 1B
Born: 1/30/1987
Highest Level Reached: Double-A Harrisburg Senators
2011 Combined Stats: .270, 35(2B), 4(3B), 31HR, 90RBI

#11 Michael Taylor OF
Born: 3/26/1991
Highest Level Reached: Low-A Hagerstown Senators
2011 Combined Stats: .253, 26(2B), 7(3B), 13HR, 68RBI, 23SB

#12 Destin Hood OF
Born: 4/3/1990
Highest Level Reached: High-A Potomac Nationals
2011 Combined Stats: .276, 29(2B), 5(3B), 13HR, 83RBI, 21SB

#13 Chris Marrero 1B
Born: 7/2/1988
Highest Level Reached: MLB Washington Nationals
2011 Combined Stats: MINORS: .300, 30(2B), 14HR, 69RBI
MAJORS: .248 (27 hits in 109 at-bats), 5(2B), 10RBI

#14 Taylor Hill RHP
Born: 3/12/1989
Highest Level Reached: Short-A Auburn Doubledays
2011 Combined Stats: 0-2, 3.16ERA, 31.1IP, 3BB, 27K, .264BAA (6th Round Pick 2011 MLB Draft)

#15 Kylin Turnbull LHP
Born: 9/12/1989
Highest Level Reached: 4th Round Pick 2011 MLB Draft
2011 Combined Stats: Did Not Play In 2011

Disclaimer – I did not attend any minor league games this year, nor do I claim to have any scouting experience. These lists are the product of my own research of statistics and online scouting reports.

Interview With Washington Nationals 2011 First Round Pick Pitcher Alex Meyer

By: Andrew Martin
@RedSoxFanNum1
BaseballHistorian.Blogspot.com

Lately the Washington Nationals have not just been accumulating prospects, they have been stacking them up like cord wood. In the past couple of years they have picked up well known mega prospects in Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper, but they may have gotten their best haul from the 2011 draft, which brought a blend of well regarded hitters and pitchers. Alex Meyer is one of the most highly regarded prospects snatched up by Washington this draft’s haul. Taken with the 23rd pick in the first round, the 6’9 right handed pitcher projects to one day help anchor the top of the Washington starting rotation with Strasburg.

Meyer was originally drafted out of high school by the Boston Red Sox in 2008, but opted to attend the University of Kentucky instead. He was successful throughout his Kentucky Wildcats career. In 2011, his junior year, Meyer went 7-5 with a 2.94 ERA, and an SEC leading 110 strikeouts. Armed with a mid-to-upper 90’s fastball, and a slider and change-up that scouts believe will both be plus pitches, Meyer has the stuff to be a front of the rotation type starter. I recently caught up with Meyer and was able to find out a little more about him and his experiences in baseball. Take a moment to get to know one of baseball’s next top prospects.

How did you first get interested in baseball?
I first got interested in baseball at a very young age. My dad is a big baseball fan and so is my mom. When I was growing up, there was always baseball on at my house. Whether it was the Cubs always being on WGN or if I had to watch the Braves every night on TBS, there was always baseball on TV. I honestly don’t think I went a day, even being as young as 5-6 years old, to where I didn’t watch a baseball game or at least ESPN highlights. I really think this was a big influence on my life.

Who was your favorite team and player when you were growing up?
Growing up, my favorite team was the Seattle Mariners until Ken Griffey Jr. got traded. Then, I started to like the Boston Red Sox. My favorite player was Griffey Jr. without a doubt. I feel like he was everyone’s favorite player at that time. He was fun to watch because he was everything that every young kid wanted to be. He played the game the right way and he had fun doing it.

What was the draft process like this year? How did you know that Washington was interested in you?
The draft process was a lot of fun. I feel like if you don’t just sit back and enjoy it then it can really be overwhelming for people. I had fun with it and my parents were really good about it too. They were always there supporting me telling me that it was my decision on what to do. I knew the Nationals were interested in me, but didn’t know how interested they were until I heard my name selected on TV that night. They did a good job of not “bothering” me with phone calls during the season and just let me play. They did things the right way.

What is it like to be part of the “super prospect group” for Washington, with you, Bryce Harper, Anthony Rendon, Matt Purke, etc…?
The group of players that Washington has drafted over the past few years is incredible. To be included with a group of players mentioned above is really humbling for me. It’s an honor to get to play pro ball, but to be able to play with such a good group of guys committed to getting better makes it that much more fun. I’m really excited to get back for the Spring and really get to work again.

What is the best piece of advice or instruction you have gotten as a baseball player?
The best piece of advice that I have gotten in baseball has been this and I believe it to a tee; Baseball is a game of failure. There is so much failure that if you aren’t careful, it can really bring you down. You have to stay positive through the good times and bad. In baseball, a guy can fail 7 times out of 10 and be considered one of the greatest hitters in the game (.300 batting average). Baseball is all about staying calm and positive and the ability to play through the tough times.

What has your experience been like with fans?
It’s been fun. While I was at Auburn (Washington’s Short-A New York Penn League Affiliate) for a short period of time, the fans there were awesome. They were excited for the organization. I didn’t necessarily know what to expect when I got there, but the fans there made us feel welcome and made the experience a fun time.