Photo courtesy Will Bentzel / MiLB.com

An Open Letter to:

Mike Rizzo, GM and Executive VP of Baseball Operations for the Washington Nationals
Bob Boone, Assistant GM and VP of Player Development for the Washington Nationals
Doug Harris, Director of Player Development for the Washington Nationals

Gentlemen,

First, I wanted to thank you for the opportunity to see budding superstars like Stephen Strasburg and Drew Storen up close and personal here in Harrisburg while they made their way to the big leagues with the Nationals. It’s also been a pleasure to watch players like Brad Meyers and Tom Milone move up the organization as they blossom into potential major leaguers.

Over the course of the second half of 2010 and so far this season, I have watched Brad Peacock flourish into the aggressive, dominating pitcher he is today. Drafted in the 41st round five years ago, I’m sure his meteoric rise to success as even surprised you a little.

I write this open letter to emphasize one thing…Brad Peacock NEEDS to be promoted to Triple-A Syracuse. Not next month, not even next week. Now.

I understand you have a logjam of starting pitchers at both the major league and Triple-A level. I don’t care. Openly shop Jason Marquis out on the trade market. Put Ross Detweiler on the DL if there’s an injury issue (since lately he’s pitched like there is one), and if he’s healthy move him to the bullpen. Frankly, I don’t care what you do to make it happen, just make it happen.

It’s become crystal clear over the last two weeks that he is beyond this level. He’s become the 12-year old who already shaves dominating the other little leaguers. I’m sure on some level it’s fun, but I think we’re past the point of this being beneficial for him. Can he still learn a lot from pitching coach Randy Tomlin? Absolutely, but even Yoda knew when Luke was ready to leave the swamp and make it on his own.

After this morning’s 7-6 victory by the Senators over the Akron Aeros, he has now thrown 19.2 innings in his last three outings while only giving up a total of 9 hits. Of the 71 batters he has faced during this time, he has struck out 33. Let me repeat that…if you stepped into the batter’s box in the last two weeks against Peacock, half of the time you’d strike out and the other half would be almost as futile.

I will be sad to see him go as both a fan of baseball and the Senators, but for his sake and the Nationals’ organization he needs to be promoted now.

Hugs and kisses,
Mick Reinhard