Astros Blast Past Nats, 6-2
A four-run 4th opened up a 2-1 game as the Astros blasted past the Nats, 6-2 on Sunday afternoon.
Patrick Corbin remained in ’20s form as he was charged with two runs on three hits and a walk over two and a ⅓ innings. He walked one and fanned three.
José Ferrer let in both runners he inherited from Corbin while getting out of the 3rd. Offseason pickup Anthony Banda put the game out of reach with the aforementioned four runs on two hits and two walks.
Jeter Downs was the sole watchlister to start, playing second base and batting ninth. He went 0-for-2 with a Robles.
Here’s how the other notable minor-leaguers who appeared in the game did:
- RHP Thad Ward pitched the fifth and gave up a walk but no runs. He struck out two.
- Jeremy De La Rosa replaced CF Alex Call in the 6th and led off the 8th with a single
- Jared McKenzie pinch-ran for Keibert Ruiz in the 7th but did not score a run. Riley Adams replaced him at C in the bottom half of the inning
- Yasel Antuna followed Yadiel Hernandez in LF in the 7th and grounded out in the 9th
Tomorrow is the last scheduled off day before the club heads north to DC during the last week of March. Washington will take to the buses to visit the Marlins on Tuesday. MacKenzie Gore is expected to make the start.
With Candelario headed for the WBC and Kieboom having a shoulder problem, Alu should be getting a good look at 3B. However, has Rizzo already slated him to play daily in AAA as opposed to riding the pine for the Nats? If so, Martinez will be giving 3B opportunities to guys like Chavis and Downs as possible UT IFs.
They seem to be giving Vargas the primary reserve reps at 3B. They already know what he is . . . and isn’t. Sigh.
I forgot about Erick Mejia among the guys battling for an INF reserve role. I would think that there will be two, and that Vargas pretty much is guaranteed one of them. I fear that they’ve sort of promised Chavis something as well, unless he really sucks. So Alu, Valera, Downs, Mejia, and Kieboom all are in underdog roles.
Oops, also forgot about Franklin Barreto, who has only gotten one spring AB in an MLB game.
Speaking of failed former hot prospects, I don’t find that Blake Rutherford has gotten into any Nat MLB spring games, which is surprising considering their general lack of quality in the OF. Meanwhile, they’ve been playing guys like McKenzie, Wood, and Cox who are a long way from the majors, and ones like Casey who seem to be org guys at this point.
Encouraging outings thus far from Thad Ward. He hasn’t done anything yet to indicate that he shouldn’t break camp with the big club, which is what you have to do with Rule 5 picks (or send them back).
Ward: 3 IP, 0 H, 4 K, 3 BB
Irvin: 3 IP, 1 H, 5 K, 1 BB
Very good to have a little reserve starter potential. They’re gonna need it.
Let’s see how Kuhl levels out after time in AAA or if he’s just another Ronald Herrera
From our “competition” at the top of the 2023 draft board, here’s a good overview of what the top draft prospects did this past weekend:
https://piratesprospects.com/2023/03/pirates-draft-prospect-watch-wyatt-langford-makes-noise-with-a-powerful-weekend.html
Langford certainly seems to be making a loud case. Be it either Langford or Crews, though, I’m skeptical of the Nats investing highly in yet another outfielder, since that’s so much of the top of their system right now.
I like Langword over Crews based on what little I have seen.
I have a hard time imagining them passing on Skenes if he is healthy. 6’6″ 247 with two ridiculous FBs and a plus slider. Rizzo must be drooling.
All things being sorta equal (which they never are), I would prefer Skenes or Dollander, or some other dominant starter if one emerges. It seems like Dollander may be more polished right now but that Skenes has more potential upside. He’s been a two-way player to this point (a catcher!) plus hasn’t been at a major program until now, so he’s just learning how to pitch.
I wouldn’t hate taking Langford or Crews if they’re convinced that one would be a superstar, provided that they’ll trade some of the other OF talent (which they may do anyway). But based on needs, they would look at starting pitching, or a power-hitting infielder like Jacob Gonzalez.