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Opening Day!

For the first time in forever, it looks like it’ll be a non-parka weather across the board tonight.

Team Today’s Game (ET) Pitching Matchup (’18 Stats at Level)
Fresno vs. Reno, 10:05 p.m. McGowin (3-2, 1.20) vs. TBD
Harrisburg vs. Bowie, 6:30 p.m. TBD vs. Molina (1-9, 6.66)
Potomac vs. Fayetteville, 7:05 p.m. Johnston (5-2, 4.94) vs. Javier (5-4, 3.41)
Hagerstown @ Greensboro, 7:00 p.m. Alastre (4-8, 5.32) vs. TBD

Now for the annual reminder: These pitchers are not necessarily the team’s #1 starter. They are, within a spot or so, how the Nationals would like the starters to align from Low-A to MLB in the event of promotions or injuries.

Only the Grizzlies’ press release indicated the starting rotation, alphabetically: Scott Copeland, Paolo Espino, Kyle McGowin, Joe Ross and Austin Voth. I’d project Joan Baez, Erick Fedde, Wil Crowe, Sterling Sharp, and Tyler Mapes as starters for the Sens but Ben Braymer is also an option if, for example, Fedde is returned to a relief role or called up (that TBD could also mean “let’s see how Aníbal Sánchez’s hip is today”).

At Potomac, beyond Johnston it would seem to be Malvin Peña, Nick Raquet, Luis Reyes, and Jackson Tetreault, though I’m sure someone will point out that Andrew Lee finished the season in the Suns rotation. In Hagerstown, Tim Cate, Jake Irvin, Jackson Stoeckinger, and Carson Teel would be the most logical candidates, though if you believe the front-office chatter delivered via MASN and BA, Joan Adon could be in that mix as well.

Settle in, kids – we’re off like a herd of turtles.

21 Commments

      1. Nobody has raised this theme. For us midnight
        Cowboys / insimniacs / graveyard shift jockeys. We have Fresno to follow deep into the night !!
        Interesting lineup vs a Reno RHP leaving Orange and Gushue on the bench.

        1. OMG. Some people here need therapy after AW gave up an earned run in bottom of the ninth
          Goodness Luke I am old. I recall watching Steve Hosey Fresno radio guy play for San Jose Giants

  2. Happy Opening Day to all! And no, NO, a thousand times no — don’t call up Fedde as next-man-up starter. It has to be Ross, doesn’t it?

    Scott Copeland was excellent with the big club in the spring as an NRI, for whatever that’s worth. He’s had several good years as a starter at the AAA level.

    Don’t forget Aaron Fletcher as a potential starter at Hagerstown as well. He posted better stats than most of those named during his brief time as a pro last summer between GCL and Auburn. And yes, I would be surprised if the much-hyped Adon isn’t starting at some point.

    Particularly at Hags and sometimes at Potomac, the Nats have tag-teamed starters, having guys work about four innings apiece, so don’t be surprised if they’re stretching out six guys or more at both places. They’ve drafted a lot of starters over the last two years, and there should be some real shaking out this summer.

    1. With all the money saved by TT s former lawyer. He could operate a jet stream on call in Fresno
      Sanchez sure looked good especially shagging that line drive.
      Cue Huey Lewis. Hip to be square
      Let’s say Fedde eventually gets a call, who would get the call in Potomac to drive across the PA state line ??
      No matter how youthful Robles is early , he truly was worth the gas ⛽️ pumped in the gas tank to go watch a minor league game. Time and experience will iron out all these youthful indiscretions / adventures o the pillows (FP)
      Interested to see how on the beam Alastre will be out of the gate
      Play ball

      1. Auburn roster is like the cell phone lot @ re airport where you get parked with engines running waiting for the call. Mendez, Daily . Alvarez3, Cropley

        1. Not a bad opening night.
          Wiseman homers and nails a runner @ home.
          Converse Taylor GS.
          Blash dash for home ( steal). Before the bullpens implode in both A levels
          Just one game

    2. The ironic thing about drafting two guys from the same NCAA program ? The lesser hyped guy Fletch may be the real McCoy

      1. Luke. Dog walks me before ☕️, then eggs then NP reading.
        It’s as the regimented guy in James Thurbers Catbird Seat

    3. Kw I have said that for three years.
      Every aspect of a club evolves
      Appropriate that Max Pentecost retired during Lent

  3. Fedde aside, the Nats really need one of these guys to step forward as a legit MLB starting possibility, much as McGowin did last year. Tejera, the pitching coach at Harrisburg, seemed to have a marvelous influence on McGowin and Austen Williams in particular, so it will be interesting to see what he can do with Crowe and Sharp over full season.

  4. (That was an attempt to reply to Mick’s post, but it didn’t post there as I’m seeing it. My reference was to the AA starters.)

  5. Grissom : How did Andrew Lee look this spring with his mechanics / release point / health ??

  6. The Suns starting rotation is:
    Alastre, Cate, Irvin, Adon, and Francys Peguero

    There are a lot of folks who are new in the system that the organization has high hopes for, so we may see fairly quick promotions to A+ to also accommodate people in XST that they want to get onto the field. A great sign.

    Potomac starters are Pena, Tetrault, Johnston, Raquet, and either Reyes, Borne, or A. Lee. Should tell us all how highly they regard Pena.

    1. Suns media notes list the first four probables as (in order of appearance) Alastre, Cate, Irvin, and Adon.

      PNats are listing Johnston, Tetreault, Raquet, and Malvin Pena as the first four.

      Haven’t gotten the Sens and Grizzlies game notes yet.

      1. Mick’s info, as folks here ought to know, is good. The Fresno notes are in and it’s McGowin, Copeland, Voth, Espino, and Ross.

    2. Signature match – up just concluded with my Sippy cup near by. Right Cane ??
      Sippy strikes out Cano
      Rizzo must be beaming now in box suite

  7. I talked to him, didn’t see him throw. He says he’s healthy and ready to go.

    Pitching only, says he.

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