The Major League Baseball season is upon us and the Washington Nationals don’t appear to be anywhere near playoff caliber, but look to be improved over last season’s disaster, thanks to the signing of 1B/OF Adam Dunn and a few critical youngsters who are pitching well and cracked the starting rotation. The post Jim Bowden Era is underway and a few of the former Reds Bowden brought to DC are int he past, where they belong.
Let’s take a look at the Washington Nationals Infield.
FIRST BASE: The Nationals have a log jam at first base. The Nats will go into the season with Nick Johnson as starter at 1B. Johnson is a legit power threat, has a good glove, and can help the Nats surpass expectations. Problem is, Johnson doesn’t stay on the field long. He has been riddled, absolutely riddled with injuries the past three seasons, missing two of the last three seasons. Back healthy now, Johnson’s success is key for the Nats. Johnson played in 38 games last season, hitting .220 with 5 homers and 20 RBIs before suffering yet another season ending injury. This Spring, Johnson has hit .245 in 40 at bats with 3 homers and 9 RBIs. Dmitri Young will backup Johnson. Young hasn’ t played much this Spring, just recently returning from yet more injuries. Young has 2 hits in 8 at bats.
Outlook/Questions: Exceeding expectations hinges on a healthy Nick Johnson. Johnson joining Adam Dunn and Ryan Zimmerman in the lineup adds even more power, much more power than the Nats had in 2008. The key is – - – Johnson’s health. Can Johnson put in a full season?
Starter: Nick Johnson – Reserve: Dmitri Young, Adam Dunn – Prospect in the Wing: Bill Rinehart
SECOND BASE: The Nats are willing to hand over the starting job to Anderson Hernandez.
Hernandez was obtained via a trade last season with the NY Mets. He
has tremendous upside and has given the Nats every reason to believe he
can handle 2B. Problem is, he will start the season on the 15 day DL
with a strained hamstring. Hernandez took the job from Emilio
Bonafacio last season. Bonafacio was traded in the off-season to the
Florida Marlins. Hernandez batted .333 with 17 RBis last season
starting at 2B in 238 games. He also gave the Nationals confidence in
his ability in winter ball, where he played in 56 games and hit .365.
In 29 at bats this Spring, Hernandez was hitting .276. Ronnie Belliard
will start the season in place of Hernandez and serve as backup.
Belliard has hit .250 this Spring in 28 at bats. He hit .287 with 11
homers and 46 RBI in 296 at bats in 2008.
Outlook/Questions:
Anderson Hernandez has shown a lot of promise at 2B. If Hernandez
fails, Belliarda nd utility youngster Alberto Gonzales stand ready.
Starter: Anderson Hernandez – Reserve: Ronnie Belliard, Alberto Gonzales –
Prospect(s) in the Wing: Mike Martinez (A), Blake Stouffer (A) — Stouffer is a 2008 draft pick that has the Nats a bit excited.
SHORTSTOP: The Nationals return Christian Guzman,
coming off a very solid 2008 season. Guzman, who previously had injury
problem, put those in the past, playing 138 games last year and
hitting .316 with 35 doubles and 55 RBIs. As long as Guzman is
healthy, SS is not an issue. This spring Guzman has hit .238. No need
to worry at this position. Guzman gives the Nationals a dependable bat
and I can foresee another .300 plus season. Alberto Gonzales will likely fill the backup role.
Outlook/Questions:
Even though last season Guzman seemed to have kicked the injury bug, it
pops up. The Nationals need Christian Guzman in the lineup, period.
Starter: Christian Guzman – Reserve: Alberto Gonzales – Prospect(s) in the Wing: Ian Desmond (AA), Seth Bynum (AA), Danny Espinosa (A) — I like the numbers Bynum put up last season, hitting 21 homers and 79 RBIs
THIRDBASE: There is no question at 3B. Ryan Zimmerman
is the unquestionable starter and franchise player. Zimmy will benefit
big time with finally having some power in the lineup in Adam Dunn. He
will be the single biggest beneficiary. Zimmy had a bit less
productive year last season, hitting .283 with 14 homers and 51 RBis.
He battled a nagging shoulder injury that appears to be in the past.
This spring, Zimmerman has hit .255 with 3 HRs and 10 RBIs, without
Dunn in the lineup. I am actually expecting some pretty big numbers
for Zimmy and would not be surprised to see 25 homers and 85 RBIs. Kory Casto is battling to make the Nats lineup and would serve as a backup.
Outlook/Questions:
Ryan Zimmerman wants and deserves a long term deal. Could the
Nationals be waiting to see if Zimmy production increases with a big
bat in the lineup with him? I doubt it, but it is possible. The
Nationals need a fully healthy Zimmerman and with Dunn in the batting
order, I suspect we will see much bigger numbers in 2009 from
Zimmerman.
Starter: Ryan Zimmerman – Reserve: Kory Casto, – Prospect(s) in the Wing: Stephen King (A), Steven Souza (A), Ronnie Labrie (A)
CATCHER: Jesus Flores
is entrenched as starter, well deserved. He has grown into that role
and this he has no expensive, aging veteran like Paul Lo Duca looking
over his back. Flores hit .256 with 8 homers and 59 RBIs last
season. He is a super solid defensive catcher that I bet will thrive
as Nats starter. Flores spent much of spring nursing a sore elbow but
appears healed and ready to roll. The Nats appears to be considering 3
catchers on the roster. Will Nieves will most certainly backup
Flores. Nieves put up decent numbers in that role last season, hitting
.261, and providing solid defense. He has deserved and earned the
backup role. The Nats will also likely carry recent signee, veteran
Josh Bard. It likely comes down to Bard and Kory Casto for the final
roster spot and my bet is, Bard wins out. Bard is 3 for 15 with 2
doubles this spring.
Starter: Jesus Flores – Reserve: Will Nieves, Josh Bard – Prospect(s) in the Wing: Luke Montz (AAA), Devin Ivany (AA), Sean Rooney (A), and Derek Norris (A). Norris seems to be the big prospect here to watch. The Nats really like him.
Outfield, starting pitching, and bullpen previews will be rolled out over the next few days!
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