After weeks of speculation, Thursday the Washington Nationals announced they have acquired 22-year-old left-handed pitcher Matthew Spann from the Tampa Bay Rays to complete the earlier David DeJesus trade. Washington claimed DeJesus from the Chicago Cubs on August 19th for cash, only to be redirected four days later to Tampa Bay in exchange for a Player To Be Named Later, eventually Matthew Spann.
General manager Mike Rizzo took advantage of the Nationals relatively early waiver position in late August to claim DeJesus, a solid veteran capable of playing all three outfield positions. When acquiring DeJesus the Nationals pointed to his $6.5 million dollar team option for 2014 as additional motivation for the claim. A career .279/.353/.416 hitter, DeJesus would have been a quality addition to the Nationals bench desperately in need of an overhaul prior to next season. However, with Bryce Harper, Denard Span, and Jayson Werth occupying the three outfield positions next season, at-bats are expected to be scarce, and $6.5 million is expensive for a reserve. Understandably, the Nationals quickly decided to convert their claim into a promising left-handed pitcher in Spann.
Matthew Spann, Tampa Bay’s 25th round pick in the 2010 draft from a Tennessee high school, spent 2013 pitching at Bowling Green, Tampa Bay’s Low-A affiliate, posting a 2.87 ERA with 35 strikeouts against 21 walks in 59.2 innings pitched. According to reports Spann features an 87-90mph fastball, an inconsistent 77-79mph slider, and a changeup with downward movement like a split-finger. Listed at 6-7 185lbs., yes only 185lbs., Spann has plenty of physical projection remaining and I assume the Nationals’ scouts are betting that as he fills out, his velocity will also increase. His low strikeout rate in A-ball is rather alarming, but Spann is an intriguing arm for the Nationals to add to their farm system.
General manager Mike Rizzo has shown a proficiency for uncovering valuable pieces in his smaller trades, cheaply acquiring Mike Morse, Ryan Mattheus, and Tanner Roark amongst others during his tenure in Washington. That said unless Spann increases his velocity and further refines his off-speed offerings to enable him to miss more bats, he is more likely to follow the career path of other Rizzo acquisitions Robinson Fabian, Victor Garate, and Greg Veloz. Either way, the Nationals’ front office deserves credit for shrewdly turning a waiver claim into a young left-handed pitching prospect with breakout potential.
NatsGM Overall Grade -> B-