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2020 Spring Training Thoughts

Spring Training has finally arrived with pitchers and catchers reporting yesterday and the first full workout today. This afternoon, we’ll find out who’s in the best shape of their lives.

Yesterday, the Nats released their non-roster invite list. This is of most interest to us, of course, because this is the first official acknowledgement that some of these players are back with organization. (Seriously, BA has still not released a new transaction post; MiLB does not have anything newer than Feb. 10 in the seven leagues that Nats have affiliates).

The good news is there are 13 guys who played last summer in the Nats minors; two more than last year. The bad news is that only two (2) of them are younger than 25 &ndsash; Luis García and Jakson Reetz. Joining them are watchlisters Wil Crowe and Jhonatan German. That’s two fewer than last year.

Like a year ago, there’s very little excitement for “our guys.” This is, however, how it probably should be. World Series contenders shouldn’t be reloading with more than one or two minor-leaguers.

Obviously, I’m referring to Carter Kieboom, who is very much the analog to Victor Robles last year (or perhaps more accurately, 2018). The drama will not be so much whether he’ll play, but where and when. The odds are extremely long that Kieboom will break camp with the club. Best-case scenario: they keep him down just long enough to preserve an option (i.e. like Harper in 2012). Worst-case, he’s kept down long enough to preserve his Super-Two status.

And that’s assuming he’ll hit. Some have noted in the comments that his late-season swoon (.726 OPS in the second half) may be indicative that he needs more time at AAA. Others worry about his defense, though as I’ve long noted, if the Nats are willing to tolerate Wilson Ramos or Daniel Murphy, no one who can hit will sit.

Crowe will be mentioned in the competition for the #5 SP. Even if Aníbal Sánchez turns into a pumpkin, the odds are still against Crowe, thanks to options: Joe Ross and Austin Voth have none, Erick Fedde has one.

Likewise, the options still left on Wander Suero and Tanner Rainey—and the slew of AAAA guys—make it very hard for someone younger to wedge their way in to the bullpen. Rizzo will almost always go with the veteran. They’ll just have to wait for injuries or a flameout. Luckily, there doesn’t appear to be massive sunk cost like last year.

MASN will be televising seven games this year but four of those games will be midweek, and three of them will be against the Yankees or Mets. But none of them will be against the Orioles. Color me intrigued about the “Homecoming Game” on March 24, even if it’ll be a glorified intrasquad game.

Though it’s gratuitous, I’ll do some writeups for about three weeks to get back into the habit of writing every morning. Lord knows, I’ve had plenty of downtime this offseason. After that, we’ll go into another slow period before the minor-league rosters are announced in early April.

As always, feel free to discuss in the comments. Fingers (and toes) crossed for some transaction news.

18 Commments

  1. At 3rd base we have Kieboom, Jacob Wilson, Jake Noll, and Drew Ward in camp. That will be the most fascinating story of this spring.

  2. Interesting family story in The Snyder’s . Brandon’s Dad was drafted by the Rangers in 1976 . A lefty out of Clemson . Brian has a nephew pitching in the Braves chain also a lefty

    1. Luke. When is the last time that the big board with NRI shading launched before BA or even Nats release ??? Hmmmm?? Good job , Todd

  3. I have read that the magic service-time date for Kieboom in April 22, but I didn’t do the calculations, so don’t quote me on that. Since he has time to “make up” from his MLB stint last year, his Super Two date would be toward the end of June.

    1. Would Garcia mature enough in March camp coupled with April – June in Harrisburg
      Bengi Gonzalez. Join the F troop …again …

  4. There are only two guys with NRIs who are in the top 10-15 on most Nat prospect lists: Garcia and Crowe. Reetz still appears lower down on some lists. It’s actually good to see him there, as that means his knee has recovered enough to play at the beginning of the season. Don’t read too much into it, though, as he’s the only guy from that far down in the system — they always invite nearly every viable catcher because they have so many pitchers in camp.

    But of course we DO try to read at least something in the tea leaves, cause that’s what we do here. My overall takeaway is that this is essentially their Fresno roster, and that they’re probably going to keep a lot of the “prospects” and demi-prospects at AA, particularly some of the young(ish) pitchers. Istler and Mario Sanchez aren’t particularly young anymore, though, so why aren’t they there? And if you’re Nick Banks or Cole Freeman, what are you thinking as you look and see that you’re apparently behind stiffs like Williamson and Bonifacio in the pecking order? German would seem to be viewed ahead of Condra-Bogan and Lee, based on the invite.

    I will note that the big club has legit battles for #5 starter and for at least three slots in the bullpen, and they have several guys competing who will have to get game innings. The AAA-AAAA types probably won’t see much game action. So I assume part of the reason for keeping so many of the demi-prospect arms in the minor-league camp is so they can see more live action.

    And of course all of us here will be particularly watching what Yadiel Hernandez does. We can’t help it. Yes, he’s 32, and he can’t play CF. But wouldn’t it be fun to see him hit .500 in the spring and get on everyone’s radar?

        1. Shuck was a career in the weeds of the minors until that Pirate Opening Day arrival
          German is one to see how he matures being around all the vets and further teaching

          1. We’ve seen Shuck pitch before, for the White Sox a few years ago. As I recall, we flogged James Shields and Robin Ventura had to finish the game with a position player.

    2. Don’t forget that a lot of times, these older stiffs (Williamson, Bonifacio, Castillo, etc.) are brought in as a favor to them to help them get looked at by other teams during the spring games. They know they have virtually no chance of cracking the Nats starting 26, but if they show well enough in spring, they may have a shot of catching on with another team that may need some veteran depth (at a low cost). Happens all the time.

      1. Forinsicane. Recall how AAA stiffs won American Association titles under the savvy Joe Sparks in Indy ?? Mike Fuentes , Billy Moore , Luis Rivera , Junior Noboa , Wally Johnson , Razor Shines ??

      2. I’ll admit that I thought Parra was a stiff who was done and was just being signed by Rizzo as a favor to him. (The secret D-Back handshake at work again.) Parra did sort of revert to the norm later in the season, but before he did, he certainly lit the fuse (in a good way).

        1. Ok , guys and gals , which kids are you looking forward to following @ FRED and Hags if their projections match the 2020 timeline ??

  5. Third base is Kieboom’s to lose. If he can manage to keep it he’ll stabilize the infield with set starters and utility types on the bench. Kieboom will have plenty of veterans (including Zimmerman) who are familiar with third base and can help him get his feet wet. The infield looks strong enough even with the loss of Rendon.

    It is at catcher that things look a bit dicey with Suzuki. This is where Read, Barrera, Reetz, & mebbe Gushue can show and push off Castillo. I think this is where we may see a protracted battle for a roster spot.

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