Anthony Rendon leads Nationals' contingent to Arizona Fall League

Nationals top infield prospect Anthony Rendon will get to extend his season against the best competition in the Arizona Fall League with the Salt River Rafters. Rendon joins Jason Martinson, Brian Goodwin and one other yet to be named infielder from the Nationals organization. Pitchers selected from the Nationals are Paul Demny, Ryan Perry, Christian Garcia and one other pitcher to be named. Martinson will be the taxi squad participant, eligible to play Wednesdays and Saturdays. Mark Grater, the Nationals rehab pitching coordinator, will be the pitching coach for former major leaguer Matt Williams, who will be the Rafters' manager. Triple-A Syracuse is represented by Garcia, who at 27 will be the oldest pitcher on the roster. Double-A Harrisburg entrants include Perry, Rendon, Goodwin and Demny. High Single-A Potomac is represented by Martinson, who started the season at low Single-A Hagerstown with Rendon and Goodwin. The new rules, which allowed for two low Single-A, two high Single-A and three others at Double-A or higher, give the Nationals a chance to get guys like Martinson and Rendon a shot in the Arizona Fall League, even though Rendon joined Harrisburg after Aug. 1, which in previous years had been the cutoff for AFL eligibility. Infielder Matt Davidson (Diamondbacks) and outfielder Jake Marisnick (Blue Jays) join Rendon on the Salt River roster as top 100 prospects. Demny and Perry are starters. Usually the team sends one starter and three relievers. Alex Meyer was not yet invited, and general manager Mike Rizzo confirmed on 106.7 The Fan today that the tall right-hander has been shut down for the season. The season begins Oct. 9, the All-Star game is Nov. 3 and the championship game is Nov. 17.