The State of the Nationals Farm

It’s been about three years since I last did this post and some things have changed.

For starters, there’s a new a general manager and a new field manager. The former is important, the latter is not, at least not in terms of what this site is focused on.

The wish for a star I believe has been granted, perhaps as many as three times in the faces of C.J. Abrams, James Wood, and—FINALLY— Cade Cavalli.

But what’s next? Seaver King is on the cusp. Perhaps Cayden Wallace, too. Yoyo Morales got his chance late but there’s this nagging feeling that it was to shut some people up vs. true belief.

But as Mr. Boss’s site has up in the header…

“…the reason you win or lose is darn near always the same – pitching.” — Earl Weaver

This is not to say the New World Order is not aware of this. Four deadline trades netted nine pitchers. What remains to be seen is whether they see any of these guys as starters in the long term.

Not to spoil the upcoming season reviews, but the almost pigheaded insistence on making every game a bullpen game for Rochester and about half to two-thirds for Harrisburg begs a lot of questions. Is this to develop middle relievers or do they honestly believe that the future is a staff with three starters, four swingmen, and six relievers?

But I digress. Because you may come away with the impression that I’m not happy with how things have changed.

It’s hard to argue against winning. It may have taken some well-time rainouts in Maine, but for the first time ever in the Nationals era of this franchise, all four full-season teams were .500 or better. We can bitch about how it would better if they had some more pitching, but I’m pretty sure that’s a common complaint – especially now that offense is so cheap.

“Stats don’t matter” and “Winning doesn’t matter” are the usual canards tossed about whenever the lack of winning is mentioned, but I have yet to read a coherent explanation as to why the top-tier organizations (e.g., Dodgers, Rays) don’t have losing teams. Maybe it’ll be in the next Blue Rocks media notes.

There’s a lot to look forward to in 2027. Both Jarlin Susana will be 23 and coming off surgery/injury. Alex Clemmey may need some more seasoning, but the potential is there. As aforementioned, King and Wallace could make the jump. Eli Willits, too, if the club is patient.

And no, I am not forgetting the impending lockout. If anything, it puts more emphasis on the minors.