Preseason Update: Mar. 26, 2021
As predicted, things have slowed WAY down here as we wait for May.
Yesterday, the Nats optioned RHPs Dakota Bacus and Ryne “No Relation to Bryce” Harper to AAA Rochester. As in the previous post, neither move was unexpected.
Earlier this week, the Nats signed free agent Kyle Lobstein, a 31-y.o. journeyman who last pitched in the majors in 2016 for Pittsburgh and spend 2017-2019 in AAA pitching for the Dodgers and… wait for it… the A’s.
Given that most of the drama with the big boys is over things like options, health, and roster construction, we’re in for a bit of drought.
I’d been hoping by now that perhaps MLB would have decided on names for the placeholders (“Ladies & Gentleman, with that win the Harrisburg Senators just became the AA Northeast Southwest Division Champs!”).
I’m now starting to worry that they may now become permanent
On the other hand, MiLB continues to fellate a failed former Heisman winner who took away opportunities from actual prospects, so perhaps someone will explain to Herr Manfred and his schergen that picking new league names represents a chance to both make a buck and get some free publicity.
As of this writing, 28 of the 30 MLB clubs have announced their Alternate Training sites (Pittsburgh and Cincinnati are the holdouts), and as noted previously, Fredericksburg will serve that function once again for Washington.
Just as I expect zero coverage of the minor-league phase of spring training, the only stories that are likely to come out of the Nats’ Low-A affiliate are likely to be whatever the big club wants us (and the other 29 organizations, natch) to know about an injured or demoted player.
So, does this mean the AAA team will be in Fredericksburg and the rest of the farm will train in Florida? It would make sense that way as callups are closer to Washington.
That’s more or less what Rizzo said in a press conference a couple of weeks ago. The BA article cited a cap of 28 at the ATS’s though it’s not clear why.
In other ex-prospect news, Carter Kieboom looks more lost than ever. 0-for-5 today with 6 LOB. Ugh.
You informed us thusly in the late summer of 2019 that the PCL had reduced him to a singles hitter. It’s amusing at this point the lengths people are going to make excuses for him, including (but not limited to) the Billy Rowell defense. That’s not me rooting for him to fail. If he needs more time at AAA, he needs more time. I’m not sure why that’s so hard to understand.
You can make a case that he needs a full year in Rochester. His OPS this spring is below .400!
Ugh is not a strong enough word.
It’s funny you mention Rowell, given that Kieboom was a part-time pitcher (both righty and lefty!) in high school. We’re probably at least a couple years away from being *that* desperate to make something happen with him…but…
Moves have been made. Hernandez, Kieboom, Clay, Garcia and McGowin to AAA. Nats select contracts for Mercer and Perez. Stevenson makes opening day roster.
Also, Jake Noll taken off the 40 man. No surprise there.
Thanks SF.
I Hope Yadiel gets traded, the Nats sure don’t have any use for him. His OPS was a measly 1.175!