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Shifting Gears

Shifting-GearsIt’s time to shift away from spring training coverage and wait for the minors to start up. This has become the new normal, making the call without a given circumstance like a managerial proclamation or a set of cuts. Besides, 21 games is more than enough to shake off the rust, sharpen the snark, and bag on FP.

This year the big boys start early while “our guys” still have to wait until April 4. They’ll get a bit more play tomorrow and next Sunday with two split-squad games, but the cuts and options will still come regardless of how anyone does.

Even before Michael Taylor got hurt, it was safe to bet on Victor Robles making the Opening Day lineup. That decision was probably made last September when the Nats called him up instead of trying to manipulate preserve his service time. The person most affected by Taylor’s injury was Andrew Stevenson, who now has the inside track as the only viable backup centerfielder.

It’s been nice to see Carter Kieboom and Jake Noll get extended looks, but one or both will be in Harrisburg next month. There may be some drama as to who might be the very last bullpen arm – some folks think it might be Kyle McGowin – but it will probably not be Erick Fedde or Joe Ross; one has to think that they’ll be sent to Fresno to pitch every fifth or sixth day instead.

Otherwise, we’re back to the offseason mode of waiting for roster moves and the regular season to start…

14 Commments

  1. McGowin? Guess they don’t follow the team that closely. Williams would be my bet. He’s been outstanding this spring, and even cleaned up after Doolittle pooped the bed yesterday.

    It also looks like there is a good chance the Nats will sign one of the remaining free agents for the OF. Ironically, Stevenson’s chances of making the opening day roster might have been better had Taylor’s injury been less serious. Personally, I’m hoping for Denard Span. He’s not great in CF anymore, but he’d be a good one to pinch hit and spell Eaton now and again.

  2. Luke, I think you lasted a little longer this year. We had some terrific performances from Noll and Williams and a surprise or two (Rhinesmith).

    Yes, these really are the dog days of spring training.
    Spike lives!

    1. Nats fans. Does this take you back ? 1993. Christopher Schwaub. Crestin-xxxxx HS MSP
      Montreal Expos number one. Played hockey too. Should have stuck with hockey. Same peeps school Joe Mauer attended.
      Good luck to Rhinesmith
      Go figure with Goeddel . Listed @ LF but plays CF yesterday in a game

  3. SS games always are the marker for further cuts / demotions . Action Jackson. My pick
    Good for Goeddel pH jack on lucky St Pattys day

  4. Austen Williams has really marked himself as someone to watch. If he doesn’t make the 25-man to start the season, he would probably be the first bullpen call-up.

    Ross hasn’t been “stretched out” at all during the spring, leading me to believe that they’re strongly considering him as the “long man” with the big club. I would think they would be more likely to keep him with the Nats than they would McGowin.

    I’m sorry that Taylor is hurt — particularly since the Nats have few other viable OF reserve options, as Stevenson hasn’t been good — but I hated all the talk of Robles having to share CF. The job should be his, free and clear, and now it will be.

    Elsewhere, Carter Kieboom certainly sent the message that he’s very close. If Dozier’s spring struggles continue into the season, I don’t think they’ll hesitate to give the kid a call. Also fun to see Garcia thriving in MLB games at age 18. I scratched my head over the camp invite for Noll, but he’s certainly made the most of it. Reading the tea leaves, it looks like the organization likes Rhinesmith in the way they like Noll, so perhaps he’ll be on an express ticket from Hags to Potomac.

    2. KW. Jacobs ladder to Potomac . Never have the Nats pushed a domestic kid drafted that far down ?
      Has anyone seen the spring hats in a non Nats cap store recently. We see the overhyped 34 liberty bell PHL kid

    3. Dane Dunning another TJ casualty. The Eaton deal is not a big loss after all.
      Much like the Kearns deal to Nats for Reds fans or BH to Philly a

  5. With Soto, Robles and Eaton starting at least 5-6 games a week, Stevenson can fill in as needed. He also did a good job coming off the bench in the late innings last year. He can play all 3 outfield positions.

  6. I’ll also note the curiosity of Rhinesmith getting a lot more action with the big club than the higher-drafted and higher-promoted Gage Canning. Regardless, the organization really needs some OF depth to start developing, perhaps from among the ’18 draft crop of Canning, Rhinesmith, Wilson, and O’Connor.

    1. KW could it be that Rhinesmith might swing more of a Thor’s hammer than Canning.
      Where is Gil Grissom to agree with my comment about Leonardi Emmm , C. Sanfler and Ricardo Mendez .
      ?? Arias. The wind crys Arias !! 2024!!

      1. The moon is out KW!!!
        The span of time but time not with span in the Rizzo 2019 roster spic and span

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