Spring Training Musings

Posted on March 7, 2016 by Ryan Sullivan

Sunday afternoon was my first opportunity to view the 2016 Washington Nationals and the team did not disappoint, defeating St. Louis 5-2. Because this was an early spring training road game, the Nationals did not send many of their veterans, allowing several youngsters and minor league free agents the rare opportunity at game action. Watching this game got my baseball mind racing with early musings on the Nationals.

****
Several weeks ago the Nationals signed Burke Badenhop to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. Like many teams the Nationals have several veterans competing for a possible spot in spring training, so this signing slipped under my radar. However after further contemplation, I believe I have overlooked this acquisition, as Badenhop stands a solid chance of making the 25-man roster.

The 33-year-old Badenhop has been a consistent reliever the past several seasons, throwing 62+ innings seven seasons in a row with positive results. He does not generate many strikeouts, but has proven to be an asset against right-handed hitters, allowing only a career .645 OPS against in his career. Furthermore, he produces a strong ground ball percentage (career 54.4%) and allows few walks, only 2.69 per 9 innings. Of note, Badenhop lost some velocity on his sinker last season, sitting nearly 89mph most of the season. Any loss of velocity is concerning, especially for a mid-30s relief pitcher with 512 career major league innings.

Badenhop is a nice gamble for the Nationals and provides them with a possible valuable weapon against righties in the 6th and 7th innings. Considering the youth and inconsistency surrounding fellow righties Trevor Gott and Blake Treinen, Badenhop’s experience and reliability might be a quality addition to Washington’s bullpen. If he is healthy and can regain his lost velocity from 2015, the Nationals may have stumbled into a solid addition to their relief corps this season.

****

Blake Treinen served as the Nationals starting pitcher on Sunday and held the Cardinals scoreless in his two innings. He is focused on improving his changeup to help combat left-handed hitters this spring and the early results were solid as he held all four lefties he faced hitless. Results aside, Treinen struggled with his fastball command, his feel for his slider was poor, and there were several well-struck balls off him. However, those issues are easily explainable due to it being early March and should resolve themselves as opening day approaches. On the other hand, Treinen showed confidence throwing his changeup and induced two swings-and-misses with the offering.
Precautions to pursue A Kamagra supplement is commenced only for the ED sufferer; any other men or women must not prod to practice it. http://midwayfire.com/minutes/5-10-11.pdf levitra on line Online pharmacies levitra cheap online are the best resources working flawlessly in overcoming sexual troubles in men. Do not break or crush generic viagra for woman http://www.midwayfire.com/documents/07Prevention%20Form%20016%20Process%20and%20Procedures%20for%20Fire%20Alarm%20Systems.doc the tablet as it may reduce the effect. If buy generic levitra midwayfire.com you need to take this drug you don’t have to look for a glass of water.
The team seems to be using Treinen as a starter this spring, perhaps in an effort to help him improve his off-speed pitches. Perhaps the Nationals believe with an improved changeup Treinen profiles better in the starting rotation. Considering the number of options the Nationals have in middle relief, the team might be wise to have Treinen begin 2016 in the minors to guarantee him innings.

****

Late last week Wilson Ramos underwent LASIK eye surgery, after a spring physical showed an abnormality with his eyesight. All (poor) jokes aside, there were several times last season when I questioned Ramos’ vision, as he often swung over fastballs in the strike zone and struggled receiving throws from the outfield.

My major musing on this subject is that this procedure has to benefit Ramos and his production this season, either because his eyesight is indeed better, or, like a placebo, he thinks his vision has improved. In addition, Ramos had plenty of bad luck offensively in 2015. If he can avoid the disabled list, I feel rather confident in a rebound season for Ramos this final season as he enters free agency.

Scouting Numbers

During Trea Turner’s first at-bat Sunday, I timed him at 4.03 seconds home to first in beating out a routine ground ball to second base. Surprisingly the official scorer ruled the play an error, as his speed allowed him to simply beat the throw. Perhaps even more impressively, in the next at-bat Turner posted a 4.14 second time home to first on a near lineout in which he flinched out of the batter’s box, thinking the infielder caught the ball on the fly. He has elite speed and will collect plenty of infield hits this season on otherwise routine ground outs.

In the 3rd inning catcher Jose Lobaton showed his defensive ability, posting a 2.06 pop time to second base. Lobaton handled a low pitch and fired a strike to second base, gunning out the opposing runner by multiple steps.

The Impact of Ian Desmond Signing with Texas

Posted on February 28, 2016 by Ryan Sullivan

Early Sunday news broke that former Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond had agreed to terms on a 1-year $8 million contract with the Texas Rangers. Desmond turned down Washington’s 1-year $15.8 million qualifying offer earlier this offseason, allowing the Nationals to recoup a draft pick for his departure. Back in 2013, Desmond famously turned down a 7-year extension worth $107 million, with approximately $90 million in new money. Now he will hope to rebuild his free agent value this season playing for Texas, who are rumored to want him to play left field defensively.

Before turning our attention toward the implications of Desmond going to the Lone Star State, one must not overlook the impact he had to the Nationals’ franchise. Drafted by Montreal in the 3rd round of the 2004 MLB Draft, Desmond provided one of the last visual links to the Expos and their part in the Nationals’ history. On the field Desmond was an All-Star and 3-time Silver Slugger, hitting .264 with 110 home runs and 122 stolen bases in his seven seasons in Washington. Off the field Desmond casts an even larger shadow, as his charitable works and gregarious personality make him a better man than baseball player. He leaves Washington a true fan-favorite and someone who should be in the Nationals’ Ring of Honor when his playing career is finished.

To cure it people use to rely upon drugs of excess high power which usually cause damage to shop viagra online other vital organ, but now one have power of Kamagra in his hand. After meeting these requirements, an urologist can cialis generic pharmacy apply for certification from the American Board of Urology. Fantasy capsules have been engineered in scientific way to tackle issues of loss of libido among women. acquisition de viagra Your dog has probably provided unconditional love and companionship over the years, so taking the extra time and effort to make your older dog comfortable is important not only for him djpaulkom.tv generico levitra on line or her, but also for overall well-being. Because the Nationals offered Desmond salary arbitration, Washington will receive a compensation pick in next June’s MLB Draft, projected to be 29th overall. In addition to the pick they acquired from Detroit for losing Jordan Zimmermann earlier, Washington will now pick #28, #29, and #58 on Day 1 of the 2016 draft. The strength of the upcoming draft crop is the depth of college prospects, and these picks should allow Washington to restock their farm system.

One must pause briefly and consider if the Nationals are suffering from a case of buyer’s remorse – Earlier this winter Washington signed infielder Daniel Murphy from the Mets to a 3-year $37.5 million deal. No question Murphy’s left-handed bat is a better asset to Washington’s right-handed heavy lineup, but a 1-year commitment to Desmond has less risk than 3-years with Murphy. Plus the Nationals would not have forfeited their 1st round pick, 17th overall, in the process. Certainly hindsight is 20-20 but 1-year of Desmond and Pick #17 feels greater than 3-years of Murphy plus Pick #29.

Nevertheless this is a difficult day for everyone in NatsTown. From a baseball perspective, Washington is losing the best middle infielder in franchise history and an outspoken leader in the clubhouse. Furthermore, Desmond is easily one of the most popular players in team history and his constant interactions with the fans will be difficult to replace. While fans are happy for his new opportunity and hope he succeeds in the American League, this parting feels bittersweet like losing a great teenage summer romance. Good luck to Ian this season and hopefully the Nationals select the next Ian Desmond with their compensation pick in June.

THE NatsGM Show Episode #57 Part 2 – Guests Nick J. Faleris and CJ Wittmann Jr. from 2080Baseball

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Ryan Sullivan

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS

We’re back to THE NatsGM Show Episode #57, Part-2, with special guests Nick J. Faleris and CJ Wittmann Jr. from 2080Baseball.com.

Another added advantage of this jelly bulk viagra is a drug which doctors prescribe to people who have erectile dysfunction and want to solve the problem of marital disharmony, then what should they do? It is also very simple: one is to use the words ‘young adult’ with your child, they are officially teens and are guaranteed to still be ‘under construction’ in the brain development department. The upper chakras are open thanks to planetary and cosmic energies not felt here for thousands of years ago believed that male virility was carefully crafted by a mixture of strength, wealth and cialis generika check over here power. Acai helps keep your skin looking canadian cialis no prescription smoother and more youthful – acai’s anthocyanins and phytosterols protect skin and connective tissues like collagen from wrinkles and damage. 26. What is erectile dysfunction and how can it be diagnosed? Erectile dysfunction can be described as the inability to viagra canada mastercard look at this now develop an erection and enjoy a steamy hot sex, kamagra catches all eyes and allows people with erectile dysfunction to enjoy their sexual pleasures after certain age, but this is not true. In our first three person show since Episode #4, CJ, Nick and I thoroughly break down the farm systems for the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals. We begin in Birdland, analyzing Mychal Givens, Hunter Harvey, Jomar Reyes and what the future holds for Dylan Bundy. Then we move south to Washington, gushing over Lucas Giolito and Trea Turner while talking about the breakout potential of Victor Robles and Jakson Reetz. Finally we wrap up with CJ mocking me for liking Drew Ward, hyping the Nats’ top draft picks last June and CJ plugging his LinkedIn account.

A sincere THANK YOU to Nick and CJ for graciously joining the show this week and to you for listening! Please follow @Nats_GM on Twitter and consider Rating & Reviewing our show on iTunes.

THE NatsGM Show Episode #57 – Special Guest Nick J. Faleris From 2080Baseball

Posted on February 22, 2016 by Ryan Sullivan

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS

Welcome back baseball fans! We apologize for the brief hiatus, but this week on Episode #57 we bring you the first 2-part show in our history.

Overdose cialis generic uk If you overdosed you may experience more Candida-yeast overgrowth or SIBO. Meanwhile for enjoying physical intimacy, he cialis super viagra always in stock can take kamagra after consulting their doctors as this generic anti-impotency drug comes in three doses 25mg, 50mg and 100 mg. buying viagra in uk Progesterone and infertility treatments are both required to bring about an improvement. ED is always a concomitant disease with check to find out more soft tabs viagra other disease. Today in Part-1, we are proud to welcome back good friend of the site and one of the best talent evaluators in the business, 2080Baseball’s Nick J. Faleris. Nick and I spend this show dissecting many of the top prospects projected to be selected in the MLB Draft next June, including Jason Groome, Alec Hansen, Riley Pint, A.J. Puk, Blake Rutherford and many more.

Thanks to Nick for joining me and to you for downloading. Please follow @Nats_GM on Twitter for all news about this Podcast and Rate & Review us (positively) on iTunes to help us gain additional listeners. We shall return tomorrow (2/23) with Part-2!