Initial 2016 Player Reports Completed
The first pass at the player reports for the 2016 Watchlist is now done. Rather than use the snowstorm to work on my novel, I tried to get as many written as reasonably possible.
Truth be told, between doing this and reading the books from Baseball America and John Sickels, this is where the real research gets done.
Until the BA book and the Sickels PDF arrive, I punt on some with a “Report Not Yet Written” with the belief hope that one or the other will list him and discuss him – especially with the 2015 draft picks and guys who I haven’t seen recently (with an exception or two).
The Baseball America handbook and John Sickels’s prospect PDF have been ordered, so now we wait until they arrive to fill in the gaps, which I’ve labeled “Report Not Yet Written,” because I believe one or the other will cover the player. Nevertheless, you’ve got individual capsules on 36 of the 51 pitchers and position players to read, plus the essays on the DSL guys and notables.
The latest BA Transaction post yielded just one new name to ponder: Darin Gorski, who fits the Rizzo mold of an MLFA that can eat innings for either AA or AAA. [Insert speculation about conversion to relief to help big club here].
As always, feel free to discuss in the comments.
Bronson Arroyo is in da house! I’m happy to see this as I was a bit worried about the starting pitching depth and I’ve always liked him. If nothing else, his presence will keep the pressure on Ross and Roark so they don’t assume their rotation spots are secure. Since it is a minor league deal, Arroyo will most likely start the year at Syracuse while he tries to get his mojo back.
Do you think Arroyo would actually go to Syracuse at age 39? I would bet he has a spring opt-out, like Chris Young and a few of the others they have brought in over recent years.
If he sticks, and if it is a fair competition (instead of Dusty just going with his guy; I hope Maddux will be the honest broker on that score), this deal seems a much better use of resources than overpaying and losing a draft pick for one of the string of mediocrities with whom the Nats have been rumored to be linked over the last couple of months.
I would think Gorski will be eating his innings at AAA, considering the growing logjam of arms at the lower levels.
It’s offseason. It’s slow. But it’s a great time to remember that offseason gives people an inordinate amount of time to dream up more and more elaborate practical jokes: thank-you Kyle Kendrick….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nKKqPOiJxI
I think Arroyo is no more than a spring pitching coach and emergency option. And that’s a great thing, considering how many ypoung arms there and how much additional attention will pay off for Giolito (whom I think will be up in DC as early as late May-June, once he shows dominance at AA).
Reflecting on the fall, it reads that the highest rising prospects over the off-season in the collective consciousness of the Nats system are Stephenson, Voth, Goodwin, and Hearn. I have been very critical of nats drafts in recent years, but I think this year is going to be remembered for a memorable pitching haul.
Also, Luke, we have been signalled about the emergence of Weston Davis and McKenzie Mills this year, from injury and ineffectiveness oblivion.
Also, Luke, we have been signalled about the emergence of Weston Davis and McKenzie Mills this year, from injury and ineffectiveness oblivion.
I’m presuming you mean the Instrux stories from Byron Kerr? My only quibble with these is that the info is one-sided; Nats officials are always going to say glowing things about the guys.
And injuries? I am still waiting for someone to state things I know about certain players and/or pitchers that I don’t feel comfortable divulging while they’re still Washington farmhands. This mystifies me because, unlike hockey or football, there isn’t any inherent danger in this; if anything, it ought to be revealed so we as fans can come cut these guys some slack if/when they struggle. Instead, we have to wonder aloud if Player X is hurt and that does Player X no favors either way.
I forgot to mention Fedde, of course, about improved stock.
Yes, Kerr. It is true that he is sunny. But whom he is sunny about is selective, and it is worth noting two players who would otherwise be forgotten from our consciousness, especially since they are HS products.
Are you speaking re: injuries when you mention divulging?