Spring Training: 2025

[Natsinpwc]

Crews with the triple.

[Smithian]

I'm starting to like Nunez but I don't think he makes sense in DC to start the season. Lefty backup isn't useful for Garcia, where Rosario is more valuable. He hasn't played third, so not good to platoon with DeJong like Tena may be. Hasn't played outfield, unlike Rosario. If Call is for sure on the roster, Tena and Rosario make more sense than Nunez.

I'd rather him in Rochester playing every day as Abrams insurance.

[Dave in Fairfax]

Third ST game I've seen and I am already tired of Franny's shtick. Makes me nostalgic for FP.

[welch]

Not much fun watching this game.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I'm starting to like Nunez but I don't think he makes sense in DC to start the season. Lefty backup isn't useful for Garcia, where Rosario is more valuable. He hasn't played third, so not good to platoon with DeJong like Tena may be. Hasn't played outfield, unlike Rosario. If Call is for sure on the roster, Tena and Rosario make more sense than Nunez.

I'd rather him in Rochester playing every day as Abrams insurance.

Nunez switch hits, but I agree he should play every day in Rochester.

I'm not convinced Rosario will be better than last year's Rosario, but I don't expect the backup righty bat to play much. TBH, if there were a better 3rd base alternative to DeJong, he'd better fill the backup role.

[imref]

well that was ugly

[welch]

I'm ready for Spring Trainimng to be over.

[Natsinpwc]

I'm ready for Spring Trainimng to be over.

I get excited for spring training every year.  And then tire of it after a week or so.

OT. I picked up a book today at a used bookstore in Manassas. Was actually free. My 66 Years in the Big Leagues by Connie Mack. Published 1950.  Has some cool pictures and in decent shape. Pages are yellowed of course. I will write something in the Book Thread later on.

[Natsinpwc]

If only Nunez could hit.  Or if you had a better lineup.  Could trade Garcia and put Abrams at 2B.

[imref]

Davey says Irvin was working on his slider and cutter today, average velocity was way down.

[aspenbubba]

Sayanora Shinnosuke

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Kind of sukes for him

[Slateman]

I think Ogasawara is not good

[imref]

How weird is it seeing “Soto” in the box score today?  I guess they played Elian as a favor to Juan?

[Smithian]

How weird is it seeing “Soto” in the box score today?  I guess they played Elian as a favor to Juan?

Yes, Elian.

Not to be mean to a young kid, but Elian Soto probably isn't going to see a major league game. That makes me think yesterday was a courtesy to Juan Soto in a sort of, "We're good, you good?" moment.

I read something that Juan Soto has come to the Nationals instructional camp to watch Elian practice. I'm fine with it. Juan Soto was the cleanup hitter for a World Series champion team and is going to go down as an all-time player. The Mets experience would have to go really, really poorly or weird for him to wear a Curly hat in Cooperstown, still I think it only benefits is some time in the 2030's or 2040's when Juan Soto is playing his last game in Washington, D.C. we're in a place where he can get a standing ovation at Nationals Park and eventually come back as a former player for a first pitch and Ring of Honor unveiling.

I have some complicated thoughts on Soto's comments claiming he wanted to be a National for life, and I'm putting them aside. The past is the past. I'm glad he was a Nat and I'd like there to be a good, not frosty relationship, with one of the most consequential players in franchise history.

[imref]

Soto absolutely should be in the ring

[IanRubbish]

Third ST game I've seen and I am already tired of Franny's shtick. Makes me nostalgic for FP.

Did a hitter have a "good swing and miss", did Keibert "not throw out the guy the right way", or did the defense do something that got him to say "that's how you want to give up a hit"?

[blue911]

Did a hitter have a "good swing and miss", did Keibert "not throw out the guy the right way", or did the defense do something that got him to say "that's how you want to give up a hit"?

I wonder how cable providers feel about having to pay millions to MASN for a product that consist of a dead guy from St. Louis and a total novice. And that being the only premium broadcast on the channel.

[imref]

Two more after this:

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. MIAMI MARLINS
Where: CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach
Gametime: 6:05 p.m. EDT
TV: None
Radio: MLB.com (Marlins’ feed)
Weather: Clear, 66 degrees, wind 12 mph in from left field

NATIONALS
SS CJ Abrams
RF Dylan Crews
LF James Wood
DH Josh Bell
1B Nathaniel Lowe
2B Amed Rosario
3B José Tena
C Riley Adams
CF Jacob Young

RHP Michael Soroka

MARLINS
SS Xavier Edwards
DH Derek Hill
RF Griffin Conine
3B Jonah Bride
1B Eric Wagaman
CF Dane Myers
C Liam Hicks
2B Otto Lopez
LF Javier Sanoja

RHP Cal Quantrill

[Dave in Fairfax]

Did a hitter have a "good swing and miss", did Keibert "not throw out the guy the right way", or did the defense do something that got him to say "that's how you want to give up a hit"?

The constant hyperbole. It's never just good. It's always perfect or the like. "Just a perfect AB." It's fine that you want to accentuate the positive in a long at-bat that ultimately results in a fly-out, but it's still a fly-out, so it's not great, much less perfect. I get the feeling his mentality is that of a bench player trying to hype up his teammates during a game. "Don't worry, you had some good swings there. You'll get him next time."

The constant simping for the umps also comes across as a player trying to ingratiate himself in the hopes that the marginal calls will go his way. We all know umpiring is hard. We all know most calls are correct. What we care about are getting the marginal calls correct, as well as the way some umpires react to getting challenged when it is their responsibility to be a disinterested party.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

IDK - When Keibert takes a pitch with less than 2 strikes that he'd otherwise tap out on, I an on-board with Frandsen. It beats weak dribblers. Ruiz has enough contact skills I don't want him swinging at anything he can't drill if he has less than 2 strikes. 

[Slateman]

Soroka turned into a pumpkin

[aspenbubba]

I really hope someone puts together an extensive prediction thread like it was done in previous years. I’m sorry but I don’t recall who the author was. JCA  do you ?  Thanks.

[Dave in Fairfax]

I know it's only Spring Training, but a 2-hit shutout courtesy of the Marlins is embarrassing.

[aspenbubba]

I know it's only Spring Training, but a 2-hit shutout courtesy of the Marlins is embarrassing.

No sh-t Sherlock.  I’m thinking 70 wins maybe a reach. I’m not impressed with one acquisition except for DeJong who is playing at his normal level.