Aug 9, 2006

http://0rz.net/dc1Jj



WASHINGTON - When teams are out of the playoff chase, you usually hear the
same old cliché: "We're building for the future.”


Talk is cheap.

However, we have already begun to implement our plan for a successful
tomorrow. The makeover began with the amateur draft and continued with a
major international signing, a trio of trades, and the hiring of one of the
game's premier executives.


There are numerous reasons for optimism.


Two weeks ago we hired Mike Rizzo to be assistant general manager and vice
president of Baseball Operations. Mike is a big reason why Arizona is
competing for a division title this season. As the Diamondbacks scouting
director, Mike was able to bring in some of the premiere talent in all of
baseball: Stephen Drew, Justin Upton, Conor Jackson, and Garrett Mock, among
others. Mike's objective with the Nationals is to stock our system with
premium talent.


Dana Brown and his scouting staff have restocked the farm system through a
highly-regarded draft. The two jewels of this class are first round picks
Chris Marrero and Colton Willems.


Marrero is a converted outfielder with tremendous power potential. During a
pre-draft workout at RFK, Marrero consistently drove the ball into the upper
deck and reminded some of a young Miguel Cabrera. Chris is batting .309 in
the Gulf Coast League. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Chris, who is
recovering from viral meningitis. He should be back on the field in the next
10 days.


Willems is a power pitcher with the potential of being in the front end of
the rotation. Colton has been impressive thus far in his first five Gulf
Coast League starts.


Thanks in large part to the hard work of Special Assistant to the General
Manager Jose Rijo, we followed a strong draft with an international signing
as we out-recruited and outbid numerous other large-market clubs for 16
year-old shortstop Esmailyn Gonzalez of the Dominican Republic. Esmailyn, who
has drawn comparisons to Rafael Furcal, Tony Fernandez and Miguel Tejada,
will start the 2007 season in the Gulf Coast League.


Our rebuilding process has been expedited through three key trades. We added
two young every day Major League players in addition to stockpiling our farm
system with four talented arms.


The successes of Austin Kearns and Felipe Lopez have been well-documented.
Both are only 26 years old and figure to be longtime staples in our lineup.
Ryan Wagner, a relief pitcher acquired from the Reds with Kearns and Lopez,
is a former first-round selection who we believe only needs some mechanical
adjustments to become a solid set up reliever as early as next season.


Shairon Martis, 19, acquired for Mike Stanton, is a young starting pitcher
who pitched a no-hitter in the World Baseball Classic. He is current pitching
in low-Class A Savannah.


Garrett Mock, 23, acquired for Hernandez, was rated as the seventh best
prospect in the Diamondbacks system. The flame-thrower will begin his
Nationals career with Class AA Harrisburg. He has the potential to be a solid
third starter in rotation.


Matt Chico, 23, also acquired for Hernandez, is a left-handed pitcher who
was named the Diamondbacks' best pitching prospect following the 2004
season. He will report to Harrisburg as well. He also has the potential to be
a middle of the rotation starting pitcher.


While there may be some pain and suffering over the next couple of years,
some of the pieces are already in place as we move toward new revenue streams
associated with our new ballpark.


Washington's baseball future is not only coming into focus, it is looking
brighter and brighter.