Offseason Update: Mar. 1, 2022
Not much news to pass along, as it would appear that everything right now hinges upon the negotiations between MLB and the MLBPA to end the lockout. The owners’ fake deadline was moved from yesterday to today, so it’s entirely possible by the time some of you read this that there will be some progress… or not.
I’ll leave it to folks more qualified than I am to dissect the big boys and their labor issues, even if it bores most of us to tears.
Meanwhile (back at the ranch)…
Three of the four full-season affiliates have released their 2022 promo schedules. If you guessed Fredericksburg was the laggard, well, you haven’t been paying attention lately, have you? In fact, the FredNats* will be announcing a naming rights partner this Saturday.
* Yes, I am giving in, since it appears that the MiLB league placeholder names aren’t going away; I’d rather use F-Nats instead of FCL Nats
As noted in the comments, this week is the official reporting date for pitchers and catchers to the Nats’ minor-league camp (next week for position players) and there is little to suggest that it won’t be business as usual, lockout or not. At best, we’ll get some more features from the beat writers that catch up the casual fans with the minors and the next coming thing.
I totally agree, Luke, with your monikers. We have the FredNats and the FNats in Florida. Few things sound dumber than the Florida Complex League. That’s the last time I type that term.
At least the Post is finally writing occasional articles about ‘our guys’.
Kudos to Jessica Camerato for writing up some informative pieces on certain kids on the farm
Good point with the Zach Greineke possibilities to eat IPs in 22 after a freeze in March with 40 man
Numerous young arms on the sidelines plus we don’t know the reality with SS and Ross.
There should be some dollar general deals after resumption of the training camps for 40 man rosters
Baylor plays UCLA on mlb network
I’m sure Jimmy Gonzalez looking at Baylor and other Texas schools ..
“Watson mentioned a pitching approach that involves ‘being more aggressive in the zone and attacking the strike zone.'” Looks like he actually noticed the terrible walk rates of some of his top pitching prospects. Although between that and an offensive approach of “doing damage when we have the opportunity to do damage,” such cliche’ talk sure doesn’t indicate any modernization of player development. Sigh.
I hope that the ongoing kerfluffle between the owners and MLB players will get us considerably more coverage of what the Nats’ revised coaching and player development staffs are doing in FL with the MiLB guys.
Well, I’m looking forward to seeing some minor league baseball next month, at least. I’ll be pleasantly surprised if there is an MLB season at all this year.
Dr Watson has a few more players to fill the AAA ranks especially OFs since some of the guys @ AA and A plus probably have to repeat levels starting 22 except maybe Mitch Longo .
Nobody @ A minus seems like a candidate to bump up to FRED.
Yet again Bats love to use infielders in the outfield if drastic measures call for it .
Connell and Mendez up to AA leaving A plus with Ydes , Strohs and DeLaRosa to patrol Of
Wilson could be used @ AA in a pinch if need be . No bat though ..
Gil Lara with the 40 man frozen inactive should play some AA what with the bodies signed @ AAA by Dr Watson … Young , Franco , Strange- Gordon , Urena.
Speaking of minor league attendance
How was the Fred season attendence numbers compared to Wilmington since DelewAre has lower cost of living compared to the Beltway !?
Per baseball reference:
3318 per game in Fredericksburg
1357 per game in Wilmington