Follow the Prospects: Anthony Rendon, 3B (and 2B, we hope)

[imref]

Could there be a double callup in May, Harper and Rendon?

I can't imagine Rendon seeing the majors before September.

[HalfSmokes]

That's one way to show they're going for it

[welch]

I'm hoping for Rendon in late August. Give him time to learn, also to adjust to the longer season. Then bring him up in time to make the post-season roster.

The Nasty Nats, as Frank Howard used to chant.

[BrandonK]

I wish Rendon would get PT this year, but I can't see it happening -- even if Desmond/Espi aren't cutting it. I just don't see the FO bringing him up.

Hopefully he keeps tearing the cover off the ball and plays great defense to force the issue. Imagine an IF of Morse/Rendon/Espi/Zimm .......
Oof. Desmond and Lombo as reserves. That's a helluva infield.

[LostYudite]

I can't imagine Rendon seeing the majors before September.

I just put this over in the other thread, but I agree with this.  I think "start in Potomac, quick bump to Harrisburg, September call-up" is the most aggressive they'll get with him unless he just mashes AA over 50 games.

I love the idea of him at SS though.  He could legitimately be Jeter-esque - or Tejada/Hanley-esque.  Adequate glove playing up because he's basically a corner infield bat playing SS.

[zimm_da_kid]

Could there be a double callup in May, Harper and Rendon?

That would be epic.  Who would win ROY?

[imref]

me thinks were getting a little ahead of ourselves with Rendon. 

[Slateman]

me thinks were getting a little ahead of ourselves with Rendon. 

I agree. I'd be surprised if Rendon gets called up at all this year.

[welch]

(1) You gotta believe!!! [Tug McGraw, 1973]
(2) You gotta have heart! [from a song about the Nats]
(3) Nasty Nats! [Frank Howard clubhouse cheer in `1969 whenever that Nats won]
(4) My heart believes that Rendon will keep hitting and learning, and get to the Nats around the third week of August. His steady fielding at SS and his solid hitting help the Nats win the pennant.

[tomterp]

Florida Scouting Notes - Kevin Goldstein, BP

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=16224

The Bad

Anthony Rendon, 3B, Nationals
Ryan Zimmerman's extension led to all sorts of questions about what this means for Rendon, despite the fact that the sixth overall pick in the 2011 draft has yet to play a professional game. While he'll begin his career at High-A Potomac and was used at multiple positions this Spring, one American League scout says that shortstop is not where Rendon's future lies. “I don't believe he can play there,” he began. “There is arm strength, but there is length in his throw and he can't get rid of it quickly, and he hasn't read ground balls well.” In addition, the scout saw issues with Rendon's total package. “He's getting beat with good velocity right now, and it reminds me of Gordon Beckham in that there is a late hitch in his swing,” the scout explained. “The approach is fine, and I see the tools, but he just doesn't jump off the page at you.”

[GNatsNoMore]

Florida Scouting Notes - Kevin Goldstein, BP

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=16224

He may not work out at SS, but I prefer what his coach at Rice said about him:  (He's got "Hank Aaron's wrists" ).
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/anthony-rendon-stands-wrists-and-shoulders-abover-his-peers/2011/07/24/gIQA4uD6YI_story.html

I also prefer what Bo Porter and others said about his swing and his "total package" early in Spring Training.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/anthony-rendon-wows-washington-nationals-coaches-staff/2012/02/27/gIQAS9qmeR_story.html


But then again, I am a member of the SSS (hoping for and expecting a September call up, at the latest).

[welch]

Harper to the Nats in mid-May; Rendon in late August as the team pushes into the playoffs. The pitching is great; just need a pair of hitters. One OF and one IF.

[PANatsFan]

Ryan Sullivan @ NatsGM posted this report about Rendon at SS:

http://natsgm.com/2012/03/05/recapping-sundays-nationals-game/

This year's draft for the Nats has a chance to be historic. So many good players . . .

[Rasta]

Rendon hurt himself rounding third and was removed from the game tonight.  Shocking.

[natstime]

Rendon hurt himself rounding third and was removed from the game tonight.  Shocking.

Turned his ankle.  God I hope it wasnt the one he broke in college!

[cmdterps44]

crap.

[PC]

Drink more milk, Anthony.

[DPMOmaha]

Turned his ankle.  God I hope it wasnt the one he broke in college!

It was the left one, fwiw.  Not sure if that's the same one or not.

[kirubel94]

It was the left one, fwiw.  Not sure if that's the same one or not.

Thankfully its the different one.

[Kevrock]

Snake-bit.

Thankfully its the different one.

Yeah, he hurt the right ankle twice in college.

[mbash721]

Snake-bit.

Yeah, he hurt the right ankle twice in college.

It depends how you look at this.   I guess you wouldn't want it to be the ankle that he has had problems with, but now he may have to deal with two bad ankles instead of just one.  If any of you haven't ever suffered an ankle injury, you never really gain back all of the strength & flexibility.

[JMUalumni]

Mark Zuckerman ‏
X-rays on Rendon's L ankle were negative. Diagnosis is a sprain.

Relatively great news considering the alternative, though ankle sprains can linger for some time.

[HalfSmokes]

I've got to think putting him at second is looking like a really bad idea

[PANatsFan]

freakcraphelldamncrap

[KnorrForYourMoney]

I've got to think putting him at second is looking like a really bad idea

Where do we put him, then?  Short is no better, and it's possible to get tangled up or dinged by a liner at first.  OF seems like the only option if we're worried about health, but then what if he can't play it?