Arizona Fall League Report: Salt River Rafters

Woodbridge, VA-The Potomac Nationals are well represented in the prestigious top prospect haven of the Arizona Fall League, which celebrates its 20th anniversary season. Six total current and former P-Nats, five of whom played for Potomac during the 2012 season, have suited up for the Salt River Rafters, a club comprised of blue-chippers from the Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago White Sox, Colorado Rockies, Toronto Blue Jays, and Washington Nationals organizations.

The Salt River Rafters, skippered by former Major League third baseman Matt Williams, is a ballclub currently leading the AFL's East Division with a record of 4-2. The Rafters feature Washington prospects who played with Potomac including: RHP Aaron Barrett (2010, 9th Rd.), RHP Paul Demny (2008, 6th Rd.), RHP Cole Kimball (2006, 12th Rd.), SS Jason Martinson (2010, 5th Rd.), 3B Anthony Rendon (2011, 1st Rd., No. 6 overall), and 3B Matt Skole (2011, 5th Rd.).

Barrett was lights out for the Nationals in 2012, earning one save in 11 relief appearances, while holding a 1.06 ERA.

Demny went 10-10 with 108 strikeouts in 143.2 IP for the P-Nats pitching staff in 2010.

Kimball was a cog on the 2010 Carolina League Champion P-Nats with a 3-0 record and 1.82 ERA in 19 bullpen outings. Kimball also pitched on rehabilitation assignment with the Nationals in 2012.

Martinson had a career season in 2012, posting a combined 22 home runs and 106 RBI across Class-A Hagerstown and Class-A Advanced Potomac, while swiping 30 bases in 35 attempts. Martinson was the only player in MiLB with at least 100 runs scored and 100 runs driven in.

Rendon, although injured for most of the 2012 campaign, was solid in his limited time with the P-Nats, swinging at a .333 batting clip, and collecting five extra base hits.

Skole had a monster power season for Hagerstown and Potomac, totaling a .291 batting average, 27 HR, and 104 RBI. The South Atlantic League Most Valuable Player sported a .986 OPS for the 2012 season.

Also on the Rafters roster from the Nats organization is RHP Ryan Perry, who went 1-0 in 7 relief appearances for Washington in 2012 and 1-1 with two saves for Triple-A Syracuse. Perry was drafted 21st overall in the 2008 MLB First-Year Player Draft by the Detroit Tigers.

In addition, Double-A Harrisburg OF Brian Goodwin (2011, Compensation 1st Rd., No. 34 overall) appears on the Salt River ledger. In 2012, Goodwin hit .280 in 382 at-bats with Hagerstown and Harrisburg while cranking 14 HR and notching 52 RBI.

2012 P-NATS STATS IN THE AFL (as of 10/16/12)

RHP Aaron Barrett: NR, 2 G, 0.00 ERA, 2.0 IP, 2 R, 0 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 1 SO

RHP Paul Demny: NR, 2 G, 0.00 ERA, 3.2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 4 BB, 1 SO

RHP Cole Kimball: NR, 2 G, 5.40 ERA, 1.2 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 H, 3 BB, 2 SO

SS Jason Martinson: 2 G, 1 BB, 4 SO

3B Matt Skole: 3 G, 7-for-12 (.583), 2 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 1 R, 3 BB

3B Anthony Rendon: 4 G, 4-for-14 (.286), 1 2B, 2 R, 4 BB, 1 SB

To follow 2012 stats for the Salt River Rafters of the AFL click HERE

The Salt River Rafters are the reigning AFL Champions after capturing league titles in the 1993 and 2000 seasons. Rafters alumni includes: Cleveland Indians Manager, Terry Francona, Philadelphia Phillies RHP Roy Halladay, Chicago Cubs LF Alfonso Soriano, and Texas Rangers 1B Michael Young.

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