AFL Mid-Season Review Part 2: Pitchers

As we continue on it brings us to the AFL Mid-Season Review Part 2: Pitchers. (Part 1)



LHP Cory VanAllen has an 11.17 ERA in 9.2 innings pitched over 4 games. He has allowed 13 runs (12 earned) on 18 hits. Alarming stat is AFL batters are hitting a combined .391 average against VanAllen. VanAllen did play in the AFL’s Rising Stars game and pitched a scoreless inning.

VanAllen AFL Grade (F): Despite his appearing in the AFL Rising Stars game he has not played well. As it was for Davis it can also be said for VanAllen, that numbers don’t lie. VanAllen is either ‘lights out’ or he gets “lit up”. I’ve seen him perform well and not so well. I’m not sure if he has a command problem or a problem with his mechanics, It’s probably a little of both at times, either way there is something that seems to be holding him back.



LHP Ross Detwiler, Washington's top pick (6th overall) in the 2007 draft, has appeared in 3 games logging 6 innings pitched. He has allowed only 4 hits and is holding batters to a .190 average.

Detwiler AFL Grade (B+): He has pitched well in his 3 performances but has only 1 strike out. Hopefully he gets a few more innings in to better gauge where he stands against better hitters. At this point I think Harrisburg could be a possible starting place for Detwiler next season (don’t hold me to that as its way to early to start assigning players).



RHP Adam Carr, 24, owns a 1.23 ERA in 7.1 IP in 7 games played, while holding some of the top prospects in the minor leagues to only a .233 batting average.

Carr AFL Grade (B+): Something seems to have clicked for Carr in the AFL. After struggling at Potomac and Harrisburg he goes to the AFL and puts up decent stats.



RHP Zech Zinicola emerged as Washington's 2006 Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Zinicola is participating in his 2nd AFL, so far he has allowed only 2 earned runs over 9.1 innings (1.93 ERA) in 6 appearances, Zinicola is also holding AFL hitters to a combined .212 average.

Zinicola AFL Grade (B+): Zech struggled in 2007 with being a thrower vs. a pitcher. He has nasty stuff but had problems falling behind in the count and then not being able to use his top-notch slider. At times he had the same problem in 2008 but he seemed to make the change from thrower to pitcher. His maturing as a pitcher along with his AFL stats could earn him a spring invite.

Overall Review and Grades:
Pitching (B- or C+): Overall the Nationals prospects have pitched well, with exception of VanAllen. Detwiler, Carr and Zinicola have all performed well in the AFL, which is typically deemed a ‘hitters league’.

Position Players (C+): Davis’ solid 2008 performance has carried over to the AFL. Both Rhinehart and Desmond have shown recent flashes of why they are prospects but they still have things to work on.

The difference between a MLB player and a MiLB player is, a MLB player can repeat their peak performance night after night, while a MiLB player has potential and shows flashes of brilliance but can’t deliver on a nightly basis; at least not yet. The Nationals have players to be excited about; some of whom could see time in DC at some point in 2009. As the Nat’s continue to make improvements to the farm system Harrisburg will continue to reap the rewards and could possibly return to the dominance of the 90’s (Let’s hope).

Just a quick guess where the AFL players will start 2009 (Again, don’t hold me to this as it is way too early to start assigning players). I probably won’t start getting serious about assignments until mid-March 2009.
Cory VanAllen: Harrisburg
Ross Detwiler: Harrisburg
Ian Desmond: Harrisburg, possible Syracuse
Zech Zinicola: Syracuse or DC depending on spring training.
Adam Carr: Harrisburg or Syracuse
Leonard Davis: Syracuse, possible DC



Cards shown in this post are not part of my collection. They are free stock photos available on various Web sites.