Author Archives: Ryan Sullivan

End of 2018 Looms Large for Nationals’ Joe Ross

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One of several reasons the 2018 Nationals have underachieved this season has been their lack of starting pitching depth. Washington suffered lengthy injuries to starters Stephen Strasburg and Jeremy Hellickson this season, and replacements Erick Fedde, Tommy Milone and Jefry Rodriguez could not adequately replace their performance.

However, one could argue the Nationals’ pitching depth began to feel strained in July 2017, when Joe Ross tore his ulnar collateral ligament and was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery. The Nationals have struggled to replace him and his injury has exposed a major organizational weakness, a lack of starting pitching prospects at the upper levels.

The 2018 season has primarily been about recovery and getting back on the mound for the 25-year-old Ross, as he made only six minor league rehab starts this summer before returning to the majors earlier in September. In his first major league start after surgery, Ross was immediately thrown into the fire, pitching against the Cubs, the team with the best record in the National League. Ross held his own against their dangerous lineup, allowing only two runs on four hits and two walks against no strikeouts over five innings.

The prevalence of complete ED in healthy men triples from 5% at 40 years to 15% at 70. viagra pharmacy Most men, at some point in their lifetime, will cialis 20 mg http://cute-n-tiny.com/cute-animals/little-dog-in-a-hoodie/ have to face the challenge of erectile dysfunction (ED). As such, allowance of this drug means taking levitra overnight shipping advantage of a low cost drug with a juice to let the mans implement his best in bed. People who’re suffering from this health issue in men include relationship issues, depression, nervous issue and obesity. online viagra prescription In this outing, I was particularly impressed by the crispness of his repertoire. The zip on Ross’s fastball had returned, as the pitch velocity was consistently averaging 93-94 mph, rather than the 90-91 mph we were seeing in 2017. In addition, his slider was dancing like Justin Timberlake and flashed the hard bite it is known for, rather than the loopy version we saw last year. His changeup still lags well behind his fastball and slider, which hurts his ability to consistently get left-handed hitters out, but he threw several against the Cubs with more confidence than prior to his injury. The improvement of his changeup is the key to his long-term major league success.

With only 10 games left in the season, this likely leaves two more starts for Ross in 2018, tonight against the scuffling Mets and either Wednesday at home against the Marlins or Friday on the road against the Rockies, to impress the Nationals brass and stake a claim for the 2019 rotation. These final two starts of 2018 for Ross will have a significant and direct impact on the Nationals’ plans this offseason.

If Ross continues to perform well and shows the rejuvenated fastball velocity he is accustomed to, general manager Mike Rizzo should tentatively slot him into the 2019 starting rotation. On the other hand, if he shows signs his first start was more adrenaline than a healthy arm, the Nats should prioritize acquiring two starting pitchers this winter to the detriment of another roster weakness like second base or additional bullpen depth. So while these last 10 games might feel slightly forgettable to the disappointed fans in NatsTown, these contests are critically important to the future of players like Ross and the 2019 Nationals.

*Originally published at MASNSports.com on 9/21/18*

Prospect Spotlight – Nick Raquet

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Nick Raquet       LHP        Potomac Nationals (High-A)

DOB: 12/12/1995      Height: 6’0”        Weight: 215       Bats: Right          Throws: Left

Nick Raquet was Washington’s 3rd round pick in 2017 after a fine career at William & Mary.  Listed at 6’0″ 215lbs, Raquet is stocky with a thick lower half and zero projection remaining.  The 22-year-old is a below-average athlete, but surprisingly repeats his mechanics and fields his position well.  Raquet is extremely intense on the mound, attacks opposing hitters and displays a high Pitching IQ.

He throws from a traditional three-quarters arm slot and utilizes a semi-windup into a drop-and-drive delivery.  Raquet has a noticeably long stride and gets excellent extension toward home plate.  There is plenty of movement in his delivery and he closes his body during his motion, helping hide the ball from the batter.  Raquet shows fringe-average command and control, consistently pounding the lower half of the zone but often failing to hit his targets on the corners.
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Raquet features a four-pitch repertoire of a fastball, cutter, changeup and a curveball.  The fastball sits 89-to-92mph, occasionally touching 93mph, with good sink down in the zone or late zip above the letters.  The cutter is his best off-speed pitch, sitting 81-to-84mph with good shape away from lefties.  At its best it has quick, late bite.  His changeup sits 80-to-84mph and is thrown with conviction and deceptive arm speed.  It can get firm but will occasionally show fading movement.  Finally his curveball sits in the mid-70s with long, loopy action.  He uses it presently as a “show-me” pitch and can throw it for strikes but the pitch projects as a future “40”.

Raquet is a promising prospect due to his impressive fastball velocity, hard-biting cutter and his bulldog-like mound presence.  His lack of a plus pitch, combined with both a below-average changeup & curveball limits his prospect ceiling, and should force a future shift to the bullpen.  However, he has the perfect demeanor for being a reliever and profiles well in that capacity.  Raquet has a ceiling as a 7th inning reliever, with the most likely outcome being a middle reliever or Quad-A relief pitcher.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krvX7zvH1iI&feature=youtu.be

Prospect Spotlight – Andruw Monasterio

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Andrew Monasterio       SS/2B                    Potomac Nationals (High-A)

DOB: 05/30/1997      Height:  6’0”       Weight: 175       Bats: Right          Throws: Right

Originally signed by the Chicago Cubs as an international free agent in May 2014, Monasterio was acquired by Washington in the August trade of Daniel Murphy.  The 21-year-old Monasterio is a plus athlete with a projectable 6’0” 175lbs frame and looks the part of a major league infielder.  He possesses easy above-average speed and excellent instincts, which allows him to impressively run the bases.  Monasterio shows tremendous hustle and a high Baseball IQ.

Defensively Monasterio has split time between shortstop and second base in my viewings.  He shows soft hands and polished actions fielding the ball.  Monasterio has above-average first-step quickness and excellent instincts, helping him range well in any direction.  He possesses an above-average, accurate arm with a quick release.  In addition, he seems comfortable charging the baseball and throwing on the run.  Monasterio projects as average at shortstop, and potentially above-average at either second or third base.
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At the plate the right-handed hitting Monasterio has a simple, quiet swing built for contact.  He has average to slightly above-average bat speed.  He keeps his hands close to his body and naturally swings inside-out.  In game action he primarily uses the middle of the field, making solid contact and peppering the gaps with line drives.  Monasterio will flash occasional power during batting practice and can pull inside fastballs enough to keep pitchers’ honest.  Assuming he adds strength as he matures, he still profiles as a “30” power hitter.  However, his contact oriented approach and easy swing project as a “40/45” type hit tool in the big leagues.

Monasterio is an intriguing prospect due to his athleticism, plus-plus Baseball IQ and potential for three above-average tools.  His lack of a plus tool and true home run power limits his ceiling, but Monasterio’s defensive aptitude at three infield positions should get him to the major leagues.  He has a ceiling as a versatile backup infielder, with his likely outcome being a Triple-A infielder who receives a few major league promotions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8-x-Mbieoc

THE Joshua Kusnick Experience #40 – What Artery Did I Stab?

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THE Joshua Kusnick Experience Episode #40 is now Live!

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