Fire Jim Bowden: Interview with Baseball America Editor John Manuel

FJB: You rated the Nationals’ 2007 draft the best in MLB and their overall system the 9th best minor league system in baseball. This year, Ross Detwiler has regressed, Josh Smoker and Jack McGeary have been mediocre, and Chris Marrero had a season-ending leg injury. On the other hand, Jordan Zimmermann has probably exceeded expectations and Collin Balester has performed admirably since his call-up. In retrospect, so you think you overrated the Nationals’ system? If you had to guess right now, should we expect to see the Nationals rise or fall in your next ratings?

JM: No, I think the whole minor leagues are down, it’s hard to find organizations other than the A’s (who had to completely punt their MLB team to do it) and the Marlins (who have been awful for a long time) to find organizations that are having real strong years in the minors. I do wish more Nats high-profile prospects were having big years to make our list look better but Leonard Davis re-emerged as a prospect, Michael Burgess has reached high Class A, Roger Bernardina put it all together, Zimmermann has had his year . . . in general though you’re right, it’s a middling season for the system.