Livan Hernandez’s recent hot stretch could yield dividends for the Nationals — in 2008.
The Nationals traded Hernandez to Arizona for two pitching prospects the organization hopes can be ready to pitch in the majors within two years. Washington received two 23-year-old Class AA pitchers — right-hander Garrett Mock and left-hander Matt Chico.
Both former third-round picks will pitch for Class AA Harrisburg.
Nationals Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden said both would now be considered, along with 2006 draft choice Colton Willems, among the top three pitching prospects in their system.
“With our farm system in the situation we all know it’s in,” Bowden said, “we have to find ways toget it better and get building blocks we can win faster with. When you get a chance to get two 23-year-old starters already in AA and both are thought of very highly by our scouting department, those are the kind of deals you need to make for us to win.”
Washington’s new vice president of baseball operations, Mike Rizzo, spent the past five years as Arizona’s scouting director.
Mock, whose body type the Nats compare to Roger Clemens, throws hard — hitting speeds around 95 mph — with a sinker, a power slider and a changeup. Bowden compared him to Kevin Millwood, someone capable of pitching lot of innings as a No. 3 starter.
Mock, who pitched collegiately for Houston, was considered Arizona’s No. 7 prospect by Baseball America before the season. His 117 strikeouts rank fourth in the Southern League and he has a 3.3:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in three minor league seasons. This year, he’s 4-8 with a 4.95 ERA in 23 starts after going 14-7 in Class A last year.
Chico is 36-31 with a 3.75 ERA in three seasons, averaging 8.2 strikeouts per nine innings pitched. In his past seven Class AA starts, Chico, who uses a cutter and changeup to complement his 92-mph fastball, is 6-0 with a 1.87 ERA. Opponents are batting .211 against him this season. His 112 strikeouts and 2.81 ERA both ranked second among Arizona’s minor league pitchers. After 2004, Baseball America considered him the top pitching prospect in the Southern League.
“It’s the exact type of deal we’re looking for,” Nationals President Stan Kasten said. “What’s critical now is to get to the foundation built so we can really have the best jumping-off point when that day gets here, which we hope is in time for Opening Day 2008.”
Livo leaving
» Hernandez, 31, who is 9-8 with a career-high 5.34 ERA this season and had quality starts in seven of his last eight outings, is signed through next year. But Bowden wouldnot say if the organization would pick up any of his approximately $7 million contract for 2007. It’s uncertain who will replace him in the rotation.
» Bowden said he thinks this move would help re-sign Alfonso Soriano as they point to 2008 when the rebuilding could be complete.
