http://nationals.scout.com/2/442106.html
By Patrick Teale
Sep 22, 2005
Many of the Nationals' top prospects will make the overseas trip to the
Dominican Republic on October 4th to begin their 7-week Instructional League.
Nationals' Minor League Hitter of the Year Kory Casto headlines a young and
promising group of talented players at the 2005 "Instructs".
3B Kory Casto of the Potomac Nationals hit .290 with 22 home runs in 90 RBI
this past season. CapitolDugout.com has learned that Casto, who also drew 84
walks in 135 games and slugged 36 doubles, will most likely begin his
transition over to second base during Instructs as first-round pick Ryan
Zimmerman currently blocks his path to the Major Leagues.
Also joining Casto among the positional players will be Vermont outfielder
Francisco Plasencia. The 21-year old Venezuelan hit .300 with 31 extra-base
hits, including 11 home runs, and stole 14 bases with the Expos in the
short-season New York Penn League this past summer. He has propelled himself
into top prospect discussions after hitting .403 with runners in scoring
position this past season.
Highlighting the pitchers going to Instructs this year is former first-round
draft pick Clint Everts. Drafted in 2002, Everts missed the majority of the
2005 season after Tommy John surgery. He entered this season with a career
3.07 ERA in 36 starts and was relegated to a combined 15 appearances for the
Vermont Expos and Gulf Coast League Nationals this year.
Joining Everts on the pitching front is Savannah ace Collin Balester. Drafted
in the 4th round of the 2004 MLB Draft, Balester held opposing South Atlantic
League batters to a .222 batting average, lowest on the starting the staff in
2005. The 19-year old hurler went 8-6 with a 3.67 ERA in 24 games for the
Sand Gnats but struggled down the stretch, posting a 4.68 ERA in his final 11
games.
Below is a list of all the players attending this year's Nationals
Instructional League.
Last First B/T HT WT DOB 2005 Team
Balester Collin R/R 6'5 190 6/6/86 Savannah
Campbell Brett R/R 6'0 170 10/17/81 Potomac
Everts Clint R/R 6'2 170 8/10/84 Vermont
Francisco Bartolo R/R 5'9 155 8/24/82 Savannah
Harrison Ryan R/R 6'2 190 7/12/86 Gulf Coast
Jackson Aaron S/R 6'0 175 3/28/86 Vermont
Kolb Daniel R/R 6'1 190 6/5/80 Potomac
Lehman James R/R 6'2 185 3/14/85 Vermont
Lira Oscar R/R 6'3 185 7/17/82 Vermont
Lugo Christopher R/R 6'1 185 11/10/86 Vermont
Martinez Carlos R/R 6'4 177 3/30/84 Vermont
Mavroulis Coby L/L 6'3 180 2/7/83 Gulf Coast
Morales Alex R/R 5'11 170 12/8/82 Savannah
Morales Ricardo L/L 6'1 170 12/9/83 Savannah
Norderum Jason L/L 6'3 220 11/21/81 Potomac
Perks Matthew R/R 6'7 200 8/20/85 Gulf Coast
Perrin Devin R/R 6'7 225 5/14/81 Potomac
Plexico Gerald L/L 6'4 210 2/24/80 Gulf Coast
Trahan David R/R 6'3 185 5/21/82 Savannah
Wilson Thomas R/L 6'2 185 5/21/82 Savannah
Catchers
Last First B/T Ht. Wt. DOB 2005 Team
Ivany Devin R/R 6'2 185 7/27/82 Savannah
Montz Luke R/R 6'2 205 7/7/83 Savannah
Peacock Brian R/R 6'1 185 8/26/84 Gulf Coast
San Pedro Erick R/R 6'0 205 10/5/83 Potomac
Infielders
Last First B/T Ht. Wt. DOB 2005 Team
Alvarez Jean R/R 6'2 185 2/15/87 Vermont
Casto Kory L/R 6'1 190 12/8/81 Potomac
Contreras Jose S/R 6'0 170 4/26/85 Vermont
Davis Leonard L/R 5'10 195 12/24/83 Vermont
Desmond Ian R/R 6'2 185 9/20/85 Potomac
Figuereo Johan R/R 6'2 195 3/2/86 Vermont
Torres Carlos R/R 6'4 190 4/3/84 Vermont
Webb Trey R/R 6'0 170 2/11/82 Savannah
Whitesell Josh L/L 6'3 220 4/14/82 Potomac
Outfielders
Last First B/T Ht. Wt. DOB 2005 Team
Baez Edgardo R/R 6'2 190 7/12/85 Savannah
Bernadina Rogearvin L/L 6'0 175 6/12/84 Savannah
Brown Dee R/R 6'0 230 10/21/82 Vermont
Daniel Mike L/R 6'3 180 8/17/84 Vermont
Guzman Francisco R/R 6'4 195 12/21/83 Vermont
Lowrance Marvin L/L 6'0 215 7/16/84 Savannah
Plasencia Francisco L/L 6'1 192 6/19/84 Vermont