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Offseason Update: Mar. 8, 2022

Yep. Still here. Still waiting.

Now for some updates…

●  As semi-predicted (srsly, this was like saying “I think the sun will rise in the East”), minor-league spring training appears to be going on as usual, with little-to-no access for fans.

●  MLB has quietly postponed Spring Training to March 18, and will likely do it again if the players don’t meet the owners’ latest fake deadline.

●  The FredNats unveiled their sponsorship with Virginia Credit Union for stadium naming rights.

●  The FredNats also announced a new “Voice of the FredNats,” with the “old” voice moving on and up to the Blue Wahoos.

●  Finally, we’re getting the first of the “meet the new boss” stories, with MASN profiling DeJon Watson and “The Nationals Way,” and WaPo featuring David Longley, Director of Player Development Technology and Strategy.

Until next time (week?)…

9 Commments

  1. Incredibly, it looks like about 8-10 teams are smart enough to let fans watch the minor leaguers. So stupid.

    The word is now there will be no Rule V draft this year. For us, that’s only relevant to Tim Cate, who was the one at risk of being drafted. One more year for him to develop; AA or AAA?

    1. I’d say AA with the stash of arms already on ROCH rolls .
      Right ?
      Most guys should repeat their 2021 finishing level ?

        1. Barrett is the living adage of “make them tear the jersey off you”. He’s 34.

      2. Indy league signees
        Dondrei Hubbard ( relative of a previous Nat farmhand Jaylen or some facsimile of that ?)
        CF listed in the b- reference
        Jaylen Smith infielder
        Kennessesaw State alum
        Complex depth pieces for sure

    2. I see no risk whatsoever of another team trying to draft Cate and keep him on an MLB roster right now. He really, really struggled at AA — 5.31 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, and a staggering 10.5 hits per 9. Obviously we certainly hope he can get things figured out, but as far as a potential Rule 5 pick, there wouldn’t have been much risk. As for 2022, if it were me, he’d start at AA, as he certainly hasn’t mastered it yet. I assume Adon will be in Harrisburg too.

      The bigger question for Cate — and across the organization for a number of guys, with a new developmental team taking charge — is whether he stays as a starter. Even a number of the prospect gurus who still like him (Keith Law) are mentioning him as a reliever. As several of us have noted, this organization has been bull-headedly, bone-headedly resistant to moving guys to the bullpen . . . even as they trade for relievers every darn August.

  2. Regarding Longley, I’m ecstatic to see the Nationals finally bringing in some outsider perspectives. Because, to put it bluntly, no one who has worked in scouting and player development for the Nationals for the past decade deserves any plaudits for their work. As I mentioned before, over the past decade, the Nationals have drafted exactly one player who has contributed more than 1.0 WAR to the team in his career: Erick Fedde (and a mere 1.2 WAR at that across 5 seasons!). Each of the other 345 draft picks haven’t contributed a single cumulative win above replacement to the Washington Nationals franchise. The inefficiency and lack of results is mind blowing.

    And it’s only gotten worse in recent years. Our last draft pick to even appear on the Nationals (never mind to produce any positive results) was Cody Wilson our 13th round pick four drafts ago. And he only has one single at bat (an out).

    I’m baffled as to what results De Jon Watson has demonstrated to warrant a promotion. But at least Longley isn’t tainted with the stink of the Nationals drafting and development in the 400 picks since we lucked into Anthony Rendon way back in 2011.

    1. Will — Amen, brother. Scouting, drafting, and development have been excruciatingly bad. You can extend it to traded players, too. I think Giolito is the only one since Rendon to post more than Fedde’s 1.2. Dunning has a chance, although he hasn’t been that great. And it took Giolito seven years as a pro, across two organizations and multiple pitching coaches, to get straightened out (ultimately by his high school coach). Not holding my breath about Crowe, Hearn, or Neuse, among the few who have even accumulated decent MLB time.

      From the same draft as Rendon, Billy Burns actually accumulated 2.0 bWAR (for other teams), and Brian Goodwin is at 1.5. That’s right, Goody is behind Burns, after a -0.5 in 2021.

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