The Washington Nationals have released 28-year old righty swinging outfielder Alex Escobar. This shows how far Escobar has fallen as he was once one of the best prospects in all of baseball but injuries have derailed his career. The fact that the Nationals have released him despite having a rash of injuries in the outfield shows they didn’t think he could help them at all. Escobar played in 67 games in AAA-ball this season and he was 59 for 230 (.257 avg, .705 OPS) with 29 runs scored, 6 homers, 31 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Escobar has played in 125 games in his major league career to date and he is 100 for 388 (.258 avg, .743 OPS) with 53 runs scored, 13 homers, 52 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Some team will likely take a flier on Escobar.

The Nationals have placed outfielder Wily Mo Pena on the 15-day disabled list but he could miss the remainder of the season. Pena has a small tear in his rotator cuff and he has fraying of the labrum in his left shoulder. Pena played in 64 games this season for the Nationals and he was 40 for 195 (.205 avg, .510 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 2 homers and 10 RBIs. Nationals’ outfielders are falling like flies right now so some kids will likely start getting a chance to prove themselves in Washington.

19-year old lefty swinging outfielder Michael Burgess was the #4 prospect in the Nationals’ farm system heading into this season according to the Baseball America Prospect Handbook and he’s showing why this season. Burgess has played in 88 games in A-Ball this season and he is 84 for 316 (.266 avg, .888 OPS) with 58 runs scored, 18 homers, 56 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Burgess does have some holes in his swing however as he has whiffed 108 times in only 316 at bats this season. If he improves his plate discipline he will likely be a impact player in the majors in the near future.

The Nationals have placed reserve infielder Aaron Boone on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left calf. Boone has played in 71 games for the Nationals this season and he is 42 for 163 (.258 avg, .730 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 5 homers and 17 RBIs. The Nationals have recalled infielder Pete Orr to replace Boone on the current roster. Orr has played in 73 games in AAA ball this season and he is 78 for 284 (.275 avg, .761 OPS) with 46 runs scored, 2 homers, 33 RBIs and 19 stolen bases. Orr has also played in 7 games for the Nationals this season and he is 2 for 11 (.182 avg, .364 OPS). Losing Boone will hurt the Nationals as he has played pretty well for them this year.

28-year old submarine style righty reliever Steve Schmoll is having a good year in the minors for the Nationals. He’s the type of pitcher that could help the Nationals late in the season if they trade some relievers. He has pitched in 28 games in AA ball this season and he is 2-2 with 4 saves, a 2.53 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. Schmoll also has some major league experience. He has pitched in 48 games (0 starts) in his major league career and he is 2-2 with 3 saves, a 5.01 and a 1.48 WHIP. But, he hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2005 with the Dodgers.