Author Archives: Ryan Sullivan

Make or Break Time for Wilmer Difo

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The Nationals have 21 games left in a difficult season filled with injuries, poor play and the departure of several popular players. This has left many in NatsTown pondering on social media about why they should continue to watch games down the stretch.

The obvious answer is that baseball is awesome and once the final pitch is thrown, we must anxiously wait like a dog for its owner to return home for pitchers and catchers to report next February. And with all due respect to my Caps brethren (congrats on the Stanley Cup!), there is no better live sporting event than an evening at the ballpark.

On the field, I am particularly focusing my attention on second baseman Wilmer Difo. Like many on the Nationals, this has been an up-and-down year for Difo, playing in 130 games and batting .242/.299/.374 with seven home runs and seven stolen bases. However, in the roughly two weeks since the Daniel Murphy trade gave Difo the starting second base gig, he has hit .261/.306/.500 with three home runs. Difo plays outstanding defense at second base and brings an infectious energy to a team filled with veterans. These next few weeks are vital for Difo, who is auditioning for the second base job in 2019.

Before exploring free agency this winter, Washington does have other options in-house to play second base. Howie Kendrick, who injured his Achilles earlier this season, is under contract for 2019 and expected to be ready around spring training. That said, he’s 35 and coming off a tough leg injury, so Kendrick might be better as an occasional option at the keystone, rather than the solution.

In addition, prospect Carter Kieboom held his own as a 21-year-old in his first experience at Double-A this season. He needs additional seasoning in the minors, but the Nationals are showing faith in Kieboom by sending him to the Arizona Fall League next month. Kieboom could force his way into the conversation and become an option at second base by midseason.
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And as mentioned, free agency offers several tempting options this winter, as it is a good crop of available second baseman. Players such as Brian Dozier, Ian Kinsler, DJ Lemahieu and Jed Lowrie will certainly interest the Nationals, not to mention Murphy could be a possible match.

This will be an extremely busy offseason for general manager Mike Rizzo and the Nationals front office, as they desperately need to acquire a couple of starting pitchers, bullpen depth, a permanent solution at catcher and attempt to re-sign Bryce Harper. If the 26-year-old Difo can give the organization enough evidence over the next three weeks that he can be the everyday second baseman, the Nationals could opt to ignore second base this offseason and go with Difo and Kendrick to begin 2019, while waiting for Kieboom to emerge from the minors. But if Difo struggles, he is likely to be relegated to a career as a backup and Washington would seek another starting option this winter.

These next few weeks could make or break Difo’s career and I am keenly interested to see how he responds to the challenge.

*Originally Published for MASNSports.com 9/7/18*

Prospect Spotlight – Gage Canning

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Gage Canning was Washington’s 5th round selection this past June after an impressive three-year career with Arizona State University.  Listed at 5’10” 175lbs, the 21-year-old Canning is a wiry, projectable athlete with easy plus speed, running sub-4.10 second times from home to first.  He constantly hustles in game action and shows an impressive baseball IQ.

Defensive Canning has split time both in college and professionally between center and right field.  He uses his plus speed and impressive first-step quickness to cover significant ground in the outfield.  Canning has an average right-handed throwing arm with good accuracy and excellent defensive instincts.  He needs more experience, particularly in center field, to improve his route-running.  His arm strength makes him profile best in center field, where he has above-average potential, but Canning projects as a solid defender at all three outfield positions.


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At the plate the left-handed hitting outfield does not project as a huge power threat, but does flash some raw power to the pull side during batting practice.  In game action Canning shows more of a line drive approach, peppering the gaps and letting his speed put the defense on their heels.  The swing can get lengthy and he will need to make adjustments going forward to make more contact.  He has a plan of attack at the plate and is willing to hit with two strikes.  There are concerns with his strikeouts, but Canning projects as a future fringe-average hit, “30” power, major league hitter.

Canning is an intriguing prospect due to his excellent athleticism, baseball instincts and the likelihood he stays in center field defensively.  He is not going to hit for much power and must limit his strikeouts in order to reach his potential.  He is a high floor prospect due to his defensive aptitude and should quickly hit his way through the low minors.  If he reaches his ceiling, Canning profiles as a down-the-order hitter that creates havoc on the bases, while playing a strong defensive center field.  Most likely, Canning develops into a 5th outfielder or Triple-A contributor, a solid value in Round 5.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40NwKthoia4

Washington Trades Gio Gonzalez

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Late Friday evening, mere hours before the midnight deadline and hours after trading Ryan Madson, Washington traded LHP Gio Gonzalez, plus international bonus money, to Milwaukee for prospects KJ Harrison and Gilbert Lara.  According to reports, Milwaukee will also take on the balance of Gonzalez’s $12 million 2018 salary before he reaches free agency this winter.

The 32-year-old Gonzalez has battled through a difficult 2018 season, posting a 7-11 record with a 4.57 ERA, allowing 153 hits and 70 walks against 126 strikeouts over 145.2 innings pitched. 2018 has been a tale of two halves for Gonzalez, as he posted a 3.74 ERA over 101.2 innings in the 1st half, followed by a disastrous 6.55 ERA in 44 innings in the 2nd half.  However, in his seven seasons in Washington, Gonzalez made 213 starts, throwing 1,253.1 innings with an 86-65 record and a 3.62 ERA.  He will now look to rebound with the Brewers, who desperately need another starting pitcher in their quest for the playoffs.

In return Washington receives KJ Harrison, Milwaukee’s 3rd round pick in the 2017 MLB Draft after a strong career at Oregon State.  Defensively Harrison has split time this season at catcher, first base and designated hitter.  Behind the plate he shows excellent effort, but his fringe-average arm and poor receiving skills portend a future shift off the position.  He has good hands and footwork at first base, but will need to really slug if he permanently shifts to the cold corner.

At the plate the right-handed hitting Harrison shows feel for the barrel and above-average raw power.  The power plays closer to average in-game as a result of his contact issues.  He collects strikeouts like kids do germs, and he has a strong tendency to get pull conscious.  The 22-year-old has tools and a potentially intriguing ceiling if he remains a catcher and cuts down on his strikeouts; then again, this is unlikely to happen and make him project as a Triple-A player who might collect a cup of coffee in the big leagues.

Astute prospect nerds will quickly recognize Gilbert Lara’s name as a former July 2nd bonus baby, signing with Milwaukee for $3.2 million in 2014.  Since then, the 20-year-old has flashed the tools that had him so hyped as an amateur, yet he has generally scuffled in game action.  This season Lara is repeating Low-A and hitting .249/.281/.353 with 5 home runs and 33 extra base hits in 115 games.  He has split time between shortstop and third base this season, holding his own at short but continues to outgrow the position.  He has the arm strength and quickness to project as a quality third baseman.
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Listed at 6’4” and 200lbs, Lara has a big, projectable frame and shows raw power in batting practice, yet this has not yet translated in games.  He has a long swing and poor balance at the plate, which hinders his ability to make contact.  Just 20-years-old, 21 in October, he still has major league potential due to his raw physical tools, but there is also a great risk he never graduates Double-A.  He is a massive boom-or-bust prospect at this point, but a nice gamble for Washington as a classic “change of scenery” player.

Gio & I

This deal is rather bittersweet, as trading away Gio feels like a gut punch in an overall difficult season for Nats’ fans.  He was inconsistent and maddening at times, but overall, Gonzalez provided Washington with seven excellent seasons.  Gio grew up in front of our eyes almost simultaneously as the Nationals matured into a winning organization.  He still has innings to throw, but I expect Washington to induct him into the team’s Ring of Honor soon after he retires.

From a baseball perspective, Washington did quite well to find a team willing to take on the remainder of Gonzalez’s salary and gather two intriguing prospects for five weeks of his services.  Milwaukee desperately needed another starter to help in their playoff chase, and Gio feels like he could be rejuvenated by a “change of scenery”.  While both Harrison and Lara have major league potential, neither departure is likely to hurt Milwaukee’s long-term future.  That said this feels like an overpay on Milwaukee’s part, as I am surprised Washington received more than salary relief in the deal.  Milwaukee fills a need, but Washington is the clear winner in this swap.

NatsGM Grade ->            B+

Who are the Sleepers in the Nationals’ Farm System?

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Earlier this week, I was driving by a Bob Evans restaurant and noticed in the window a large sticker with the words “Down on the Farm.” Not only did this display get me hungry and wishing I was wearing my fat pants, it got me thinking about the Nationals farm system and some under-the-radar prospects in the organization.

In this space, I have discussed young players like Juan Soto, Carter Kieboomand Luis Garcia this season, among others. But in the spirit of looking ahead toward next year, who will be the burgeoning prospects we will be discussing next summer? These are three names that have performed well for Washington’s minor league system in 2018 and could have breakout seasons next year.

Jackson Tetreault was Washington’s seventh-round pick in the 2017 First-Year Player Draft and started his first full professional season at low Single-A Hagerstown before his performance forced a late-season promotion. Tetreault threw 110 innings for Hagerstown, with a 4.01 ERA and 118 strikeouts against only 34 walks. He currently throws four pitches, headlined by his heavy sinking 90-94 mph fastball and a hard breaking cutter. Unfortunately his changeup and curveball are extremely inconsistent and lag behind the fastball and cutter. Tetreault is a terrific athlete and has the frame at 6-foot-5 and 170 lbs. to add weight as he ages. If he can improve his curveball and changeup, the 22-year-old Tetreault projects as a strong No. 4 or 5 starting pitcher in the big leagues.

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Plucked just a round earlier, Kyle Johnston was Washington’s 2017 sixth-round selection after an impressive career at the University of Texas. The 22-year-old began 2018 with Hagerstown, pitching both in relief and as a starter, giving the Suns 55 1/3 innings with 3.42 ERA and 59 strikeouts before a July promotion to high Single-A Potomac. Johnston possesses a three-pitch repertoire, featuring a 91-95 mph fastball with natural cutting movement, along with a slider with excellent break and a quality changeup. He has the build to be a starter at 6-foot-0 and 190 lbs., but a wonky delivery and below-average command could shift him to the bullpen. If Washington made him a permanent reliever, he could skyrocket through the system and perhaps see time with the Nationals late next year.

Finally, a bit lower in the minors, short-season Single-A Auburn catcher Israel Pineda is making quite a name for himself, hitting .273/.341/.388 with four home runs and 24 RBIs, along with being named a New York-Penn League All-Star. The 18-year-old Pineda signed with Washington two years ago for a reported $450,000 bonus as an international free agent. A right-handed hitter, he displays a natural feel for making solid contact and scouts expect the 5-foot-11, 190-lb. Pineda to hit for more power as he grows into his body. He has the physical tools to stay behind the plate long-term and Washington has done a nice job developing catchers in recent years. The hype is already building around Pineda and he could emerge as a top-five prospect in the system this time next year.

*Originally Published at MASNSports.com on 8/31/18*