Nats look to have promising future

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Last week we looked at some of our prospects who have succeeded so far this season, players who had advanced a couple levels and position players who had been promoted. This week we’ll take a look at more prospects, starting with the pitching staff at Class A Vermont.

The starting pitching staff of Colton Willems (first round, 2006), Glenn Gibson (fourth round, 2006), Hassan Pena (13th, 2006), Jordan Zimmermann (second, 2007) and Adrian Alaniz (eighth, 2007) have combined for an 11-2 record with a 1.67 ERA and a 1.15 walks and hits per innings pitched (WHIP).

» Colton Willems (18 years old), RHS (Vermont): The second selection in the draft for the Nationals in 2006, Willems has the ability to locate three plus pitches in the zone. In his first six starts he is off to a great start with a 2.76 ERA and 2-0 record.

» Glenn Gibson (19), LHS (Vermont): The most dominating pitcher recently in the organization, Gibson mixes pitches as well as anyone in the system. In six starts, he is 3-0, with a 0.87 ERA, and 0.87 WHIP. However, his most impressive stats may be his four walks and 35 strike outs in 31 innings pitched.

» Hassan Pena (22), RHS (Vermont): Pena has a live arm and works in the low 90s with an above average change-up and curve ball. He is continually refining his command and has tremendous potential. In his six starts he is 4-2, with a 2.93 ERA in 30 2/3 innings pitched.

» Jordan Zimmermann, RHS (Vermont): Selected in the second round of this year’s draft, Zimmermann is off to a hot start, striking out 25 batters in just 15 2/3 innings, while allowing only 10 hits. His success comes from his ability to combine his low to mid-90s fastball with an electric slider and plus change.

» Adrian Alaniz, RHS (Vermont): A College World Series champion, Alaniz is 4-0 with a 0.35 ERA, while hitters are just batting .129 against him. Alaniz mixes a four pitch assortment and keeps hitters off balance with a slider and change. He pitches to both sides of the plate and consistently gets ahead of the hitters in the count by establishing first pitch strikes.

Other Prospects Having Success

» Adam Carr (23), RHR (Potomac): An 18th round selection in 2006, Carr has dominating stuff, with a mid-90s fastball. Having outstanding success in Potomac, he is 2-1, with a 2.06 ERA, in 43 2/3 innings with 57 strikeouts, while limiting batters to a .186 batting average.

» Bill Rhinehart (22), 1B (Vermont): Drafted in the 11th round of the 2007 draft, Rhinehart is batting .331 with an 853 OPS. Twelve of Rhinehart’s 39 hits are doubles and he has an on-base percentage of .396.

» Marvin Lowrance (22), LF (Potomac): Middle of the order bat with the combination of good patience and power. Has 10 HR with a .363 OBP.

» Sharion Martis (20), RHS (Potomac): A durable arm, Martis has pitched extremely well in the past month and is among the top five in the organization in innings pitched with 106 2/3. He attacks hitters with a low 90s fastball with a plus change, solid slider and curveball. Martis is 8-7 with a 4.74 ERA and 1.41 WHIP on the season.

» Ofilio Castro (23), 2B (Potomac, Harrisburg): A consistent contributor both offensively and defensively. Earned a spot on the Carolina League All-Star team, and has 83 hits, good for fifth in the organization.

» Rogearvin Bernadina (23), CF (Harrisburg, Columbus): Leading the organization with 27 stolen bases, while playing a solid CF.

As told to The Examiner’s John Keim.

Nationals General Manager Jim Bowden provides an exclusive column to The Examiner each week, ranging on topics from the Nats to the state of Major League Baseball.

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