Report: Prospect lies about name and age

The Washington Nationals have learned through Sports Illustrated’s Web site that prospect Esmailyn Smiley Gonzalez lied about both his name and age.

The Washington Post reported Wednesday, that through SI, Gonzalez’ true identity is Carlos Alvarez Daniel Lugo, and his true age, 23, is four years older than the Nationals believed when they signed him in 2006 to a contract that included $1.4 million bonus.

The Nationals list Gonzalez’s birthday as Sept. 21, 1989, which would make him 19.

The FBI is investigating baseball’s scouting methods in Latin America, particularly allegations of money-skimming practices and Washington is one of the teams to surface in the probe.

I don’t know what to believe, Jose Rijo, owner of the Dominican Republic baseball academy the Nationals use as their Dominican base, told the Post.

Nationals General Manager Jim Bowden has denied any wrongdoing.