Spring Training 2019

[GburgNatsFan]

More Jessica Mendoza. Less of whoever that was.

[Natsinpwc]

Marmalejos is a frustrating prospect and is probably like the majority of guys.

Seems to hit well but will most likely never break through for whatever reason.

Great name though.

[imref]

More cuts per Zuck:

-Austin Adams optioned to AAA

-Taylor Gushue, Matt Reynolds, Brandon Snyder, Jacob Wilson and Luis Garcia reassigned to minor league camp

[imref]

https://curlyw.mlblogs.com/a-letter-to-nationals-fans-from-mark-d-lerner-2931e7fb7e77?sf99857968=1

Dear Nationals Fans:

We are in our third week of games down here in West Palm Beach and things are ramping up for your Washington Nationals.

Manager Dave Martinez and his staff have continued their intense focus on fundamentals, defense, base running and just playing the game the right way. I’ve seen just about every game and have watched the guys put their work in on the back fields in the morning, so I have seen their commitment and dedication in action.

As I write this, there are some Spring Training numbers that have really caught my eye. Our rotation of Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Patrick Corbin, Aníbal Sánchez and Jeremy Hellickson have allowed just 19 earned runs across their first 16 starts. Max has run into some bad luck in a few starts, but he has been his regular, intense self.

As I mentioned in my first blog a few weeks ago, one of the big things I wanted to pay attention to was the work of Yan Gomes and Kurt Suzuki behind the plate. Our pitchers have raved about what they have brought to the team, both from a leadership perspective and an overall talent perspective. They are going to be really important to the success of our club this year.

At the plate, Michael A. Taylor is tied for second on the team in hits so far, and as we all know him to do, he is playing great defense out in centerfield. Speaking of the outfield, Juan Soto, Victor Robles and Adam Eaton are swinging the bat well and playing strong defense out in the field.

In the infield, I have been watching the relationship build between Trea Turner and Brian Dozier. They have clearly established a rapport, which I know will pay dividends on the field. Witnessing the evolution of two individual athletes becoming partners has been fascinating. I can’t wait for all of you in D.C. to see them in action!

Down in the bullpen, Trevor Rosenthal and Kyle Barraclough are having really good springs. Much has been made about Trevor hitting triple digits in his first few outings. It’s wonderful to see him back healthy and pitching well once again.

Davey has talked a lot this spring about being better on the base paths, stealing more bases and just taking advantage of opportunities. Well, as I type this, we have stolen 17 bases and have only been caught three times!

There’s still time to come down to West Palm Beach to see us. If you can’t make it down here, single-game tickets for the 2019 regular season are on sale now!

I am counting the days until Opening Day (it’s 15!) and looking forward to returning to D.C. with the team.

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

Really looks like against lefties MAT will play CF and Robles will play RF with Eaton sitting.  We'll see if MAT will live up to the ST buzz with his new swing and finally be the player he's always had the tools to be.  I'm ok with keeping Eaton fresh and going with the plus defense of MAT in CF and seeing if his bat has improved.  I'm glad MAT playing won't be at the expense of Robles.

I'm interested to see how much this team runs this year.  We may really shift from a power team to more a running team subtracting Murph and Harper for Dozier and Robles.  Turner obviously can lead the league in steals, and Robles could steal 30-40 or so depending on how much green light he gets.  MAT is a legit base stealer when he plays.  Dozier has ran quite a bit in his career.  Eaton is capable of 20 if they feel comfortable with him running. 

[aBaltoNat]

Going to be a lot of unhappy fantasy players come OD. Some fantasy sites saying that Robles has all but locked up the starting job as of yesterday and he's now being drafted in the top 100 of all players.

[imref]

Zuck predicts the 25-man:

http://www.masnsports.com/nationals-pastime/2019/03/projecting-the-25-man-roster-with-two-weeks-to-go.html

C: Gomes/Suzuki
IF: Zimmerman, Dozier, Turner, Rendon, Adams, Difo, Sanchez (assuming Kendrick is out)
OF: Soto, Eaton, Robles, Taylor (he says there's no way Robles goes to Fresno and he's in team plans from day one)
SP: Scherzer, Strasburg, Corbin, Sanchez, Hellickson
RP: Sipp, Doolittle, Grace, Rosenthal, Barraclough, Miller (if healthy), Suero but he hedges on Miller and Suero, saying they could keep Alvarez or Nuno.

[LoveAngelos]

Yesterday where I sat you could hear Mighty Mouse chirping at the Braves and his teammates. He has all the make up to be a special clubhouse influence. The prima dona is gone and this team is attitudially adjusted......O and Corbin replacing Gio looks so grand

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Zuck predicts the 25-man:

http://www.masnsports.com/nationals-pastime/2019/03/projecting-the-25-man-roster-with-two-weeks-to-go.html

C: Gomes/Suzuki
IF: Zimmerman, Dozier, Turner, Rendon, Adams, Difo, Sanchez (assuming Kendrick is out)
OF: Soto, Eaton, Robles, Taylor (he says there's no way Robles goes to Fresno and he's in team plans from day one)
SP: Scherzer, Strasburg, Corbin, Sanchez, Hellickson
RP: Sipp, Doolittle, Grace, Rosenthal, Barraclough, Miller (if healthy), Suero but he hedges on Miller and Suero, saying they could keep Alvarez or Nuno.

so Zuck says Ross to the minors to stay stretched out? Alvarez to maybe stay as the long guy in order to not have him opt out?

[imref]

Zuck notes in his Q&A that some within the organization prefer Sanchez to Difo, but that it would take a collapse by Difo to cost him his utility slot.  Both have an option left.

[LoveAngelos]

Sanchez seems to be more a fighter. More spirited
I say keep him

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Sanchez is a better hitter and adequate defensively so I can see why some may prefer him.

[imref]

Mark Zuckerman
@MarkZuckerman
Carter Kieboom, Henderson Alvarez, Scott Copeland, Aaron Barrett and Vidal Nuño reassigned to minor league camp.

Jake Noll remains....

[DCFan]

Zuck;

Kieboom, don’t unpack your bags.

[imref]

Zuck reports that per Davey, Eaton will lead-off, Turner will bat 2nd, and Robles will bat 9th.

Ross to Fresno where he will start.  Fedde and Spencer Kieboom to Harrisburg to be near the big club if needed.

[varoadking]

Zuck reports that per Davey, Eaton will lead-off, Turner will bat 2nd, and Robles will bat 9th.

Ross to Fresno where he will start.  Fedde and Spencer Kieboom to Harrisburg to be near the big club if needed.

If we need Fredde, we may as well fly the white flag on the season...

[DCFan]

Spencer Kieboom to Harrisburg to be near the big club if needed.

Oh, he’s needed. It won’t be long.

[Natsinpwc]

Oh, he’s needed. It won’t be long.

Why?  They have Suzuki and Gomes.

[Natsinpwc]

If we need Fredde, we may as well fly the white flag on the season...

He’s making AJ Cole look like Cy Young.

[DCFan]

Why?  They have Suzuki and Gomes.

One can never have enough Kiebooms.

[Natsinpwc]

One can never have enough Kiebooms.

You don’t know which one is which.

[sixthree175]

Zuck reports that per Davey, Eaton will lead-off, Turner will bat 2nd, and Robles will bat 9th.

Ross to Fresno where he will start.  Fedde and Spencer Kieboom to Harrisburg to be near the big club if needed.

Ross needs to show something this year.  I'm tired of hearing about his potential.   

[GNatsNoMore]

Austen Williams and Suero are left in camp to compete for the final bullpen spot, and Andrew Stevenson, Jake Noll and Adrian Sanchez are still in camp for the final bench spots per nationals.com

[imref]

Zuck notes Stevenson will be on the 25 man with Taylor on the IL.  It's down to Sanchez and Noll for the Kendrick spot, or they could decide to add an extra reliever, keeping both Suero and Williams.

[varoadking]

Ross to Fresno where he will start.

Isn't there somewhere further away that we can send him?