The Washington Nationals pitchers and catchers report to the Carl Barger Complex to kick off the Nationals training camp today.
Interesting to say the least, the battles in the rotation and bullpen are among many battles to take place this Spring on a revamped roster loaded at certain positions, loaded to the point of difficult decisions lying ahead. Far better situation for the Nats than the past few seasons. Were going to break down out training camp preview into starting pitching, bullpen, infield, and outfield, a 4 segment look at these curious Nats.
First up … Starting Pitching:
The Nationals believe their starting pitching staff is set. The list includes John Patterson (umm, hold your breath), Shawn Hill (keep holding), Jason Bergmann, Matt Chico, and John Lannan. This is the word right now. But, there are also some other guys that plan to make a case for a rotation slot as well.
Now, a look at those not named and what their prospects may be …
Tim Redding did a fine job as a battle tested veteran the Nationals relied on mid to late season last year with an injury decimated starting rotation. He was 3-6 with a 3.48 ERA last season recording 47 strikeouts in 84
innings. His presence was more in line with a string of injuries to Bergmann, Hill, and Bowie last year. He will certainly get a look, if for no other reason than he deserves it. Redding’s primary problem is, he simply doesn’t fit into what the Nationals are building, the future plans, the long term. Guys like Bergmann, Hill, Chico, and Lannen are the BUILD.
Newly acquired prospect Tyler Clippard will almost certainly get a glance from Manny Acta and Randy St. Claire. Clippard was obtained via trade from the New York Yankees, a once super-hot Yankee prospect that had fallen a bit, if for no other reason than other hotter prospects in the oven. Cillpard was obtained by the Nats in December 2007 via trade in exchange for reliever Johnathan Albaladejo. Clippard pitched in 6 games with the yanks in 2007 going 3-1 with a 6.33 ERA in 27 innings. Personally, I liked the Clippard trade, but don’t see Tyler breaking the rotation this season. I see Clippard as part of the Columbus rotation, joining Joel Hanrahan and Garrett Mock.
Joel Hanrahan was called up and pitched well initially, but struggled by late season. In 2007, Hanrahan was 5-3 with an ERA of 6.00 in 11 starts. Hanrahan was batter for 24 earned runs in his last 7 games on 24.2 innings of work. Hanrahan seems destined to hone his skills in Columbus.
One wild card is Garrett Mock, obtained via the trade of Livan Hernandez, acquire along with Matt Chico. Mock pitched decent in Harrisburg last season and had a decent winter stint that helped get a training camp invite. In winter ball, he posted a 2-1 record with a 4.78 ERA and recorded 21 strikeouts in 27 innings. Mock will push and get a look but will likely anchor a Columbus staff along with Hanrahan.
Overall, the Nationals starting pitching for the 2008 season seems set. The good news is, John Patterson feels good, is pitching very well, and has no apparent lingering effects of two season of surgeries. The other good news, at least in my eyes, is the Nats looking at John Lannan as a solid rotation slot. Lannan was nothing shot of impressive exciting last season. He is no doubt the number one pitching prospect in the system right now, with 2007 first rounder Ross Detwiler and 2006 first rounder Colton Willems closely following.
Calling Lannan up partly as a reward for dominating int he minor and need because of a decimated pitching staff, Lannan responded by starting 6 games and posting a 2-2 record with a 4.15 ERA. In 2 of his 6 starts, Lannan pitched 7 strong innings giving up just 1 run in each game. His impressive minor league combined totals were a 12-3 record with an ERA of 2.31 in a combined 19 starts. He also recorded 74 strikeouts in 124 innings. Lannan no doubt will be one of the most exciting stories to watch develop in the 2008 season. He seems destined to anchor a rotation spot for years to come, part of the Bowden led system rebuild.
2007 first round pick Ross Detwiler will likely be in camp, but don’t expect anything more. Detwiler has plenty of time and his time is not right now. He will likely start the season in AA Harrisburg.
TRAINING CAMP QUESTIONS TO ANSWER:
1. Can John Patterson stay healthy for more than a few games? Further question on Patterson, after missing two years, will Patterson be the same?
2. Who will be the ACE of this staff? Patterson seems to be the logical choice, but did nto Shawn Hill state a case last season?
3. Speaking of Shawn Hill, see Part One of the double question in number 1 above? Just supplant Patterson with Hill.
4. Is Jason Bergmann the real thing? Will he put up impressive numbers long term?
5. With Lannan in the hunt, doe she stand a shot to break the top three slots for the Nats rotation?
6. Finally, how long before Detwiler gets his opportunity?
AND TO THE SEASON …
Let’s face it. The Nationals made more, and arguably better off-season acquisitions than any other NL East team, maybe with the addition of Santana, Mets can argue, but for these Nats, it still all comes down to the starting pitching. Think how well Acta’s team played last season, even skipping out of the NL East basement, with the most battered starting rotation in all of major league baseball.  Odd thing is, the Nats went into the 2007 season with the most suspect of all rotations and 3/5 spent most of the season injured. Yet, the Nationals still manage to finish in 4th and post a record most never expected. Imagine what they could have down with a healthy rotation. Well, so goes it for 2008. This team will ride on the arms in the rotation, period. They have bigger, more powerful, and more explosive bats, but the rotation is absolutely critical to success. The arms are there. But, can they meet or exceed expectations and more importantly can they stay healthy.
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