8/29-9/1 Series Preview, Harrisburg vs. Bowie

Today marks the start of the final series of the 2008 season. Harrisburg just missed the playoffs this year but still look to finish with a winning record. Hopefully the Senators can finish the season with a strong series this weekend.

Harrisburg welcomes the Southern Division leading and playoff bound, Bowie Baysox’s to town for a 4-game series. Many of Bowie’s staff and players have recently received awards: catcher/DH, Steve Torrealba was the EL Player of the week last week, Brad Komminsk was named EL MGR of the Year, Brad Bergesen was named EL Pitcher of the Year and recently promoted to Baltimore, outfielder, Lou Montanez was named the EL Player of the Year. Bergesen and Montanez, along with Nolan Reimold were named to the 2008 Season Ending EL All-Star team. They also have a handful of prospects, lead by catcher Matt Wieters. Wieters, who is in his first year of pro baseball, might be the best prospect in all of baseball at this point. He has combined to hit .349 / 26 HR /88 RBI /85 Runs at Frederick and Bowie. Even more impressive is his plate discipline as he has walked 81 times and only struck out 73 times.


Harrisburg Prospects – Baseball America (BA) and John Sickles (JS)

P – Jordan Zimmermann – 7 (BA), B (JS)
OF – Justin Maxwell – 8 (BA), B (JS) (Injured)
P – Adam Carr – 13 (BA), B- (JS)
SS – Ian Desmond – 14 (BA), C+ (JS)
OF – Mike Daniel – 23 (BA)
P – Adrian Alaniz – C+ (JS)

My players to watch on the Senators:

1B – Bill Rhinehart (has struggled since his promotion but produced at each level before coming to Harrisburg)
OF – Marvin Lowrance
P – Yunior Novoa
INF – Seth Bynum – Not a real prospect but you have to love watching him play as he always gives 100%.

Bowie Prospects – Baseball America (BA) and John Sickles (JS)
C – Matt Wieters – 1 (BA), A- (JS)
OF - Nolan Reimold – 4 (BA), B- (JS)
P – Chorye Spoone – 8 (BA), B- (JS) (Injured)
P – David Hernandez – 15 (BA), C (JS)
P – Brad Bergesen – 26 (BA), C+ (JS)

My list of players to watch on the Baysox:
P – Jason Berken (not scheduled to start but went 12-3 with a 3.37 ERA)
P – Wilfredo Perez (has a 2.49 ERA in 14 games with Bowie this season)
SS – Blake Davis (young SS batting .283 but has 20 errors).
3B – Jeff Nettles (veteran power hitter has 23 homeruns this year).


Pitching Match up’s: Harrisburg vs. Bowie
Friday, August 29, 6:35pm, RH Jordan Zimmermann vs. RH Brad Bergesen
Saturday, August 30, 6:05pm, LH Cory VanAllen vs. RH David Hernandez
Sunday, August 31, 1:05pm, RH Bobby Brownlie vs. RH Chris Tillman
Monday, September 1, 1:05pm, TBA vs. RH Zach Clark

Final Thoughts:

Harrisburg may not have made the playoffs but they still have a chance to finish the season with a winning record, the first time since 2002. Senators’ fans saw quality talent on City Island this season, as proof by the very productive first half of the season. The mass exodus of players around/after the All-Star break shows two things: we had good talent to start the year and, the Nationals are still working to build the farm system as proof by the sub par second half. The Nationals are committed to building a solid farm system but that will take time. Overall, things are looking up in the organization as top prospects are on the rise and before you know it they will be playing in Harrisburg. All signs are pointing to a decent team for 2009….


Look for my 2008 Season Review coming next week.