I recently answered a few questions for Daniel Shoptaw’s “C70 At the Bat” St Louis Cardinals blog about the Nationals prospects for the 2013 season. My answers are below:
1) How would you grade the offseason?
I’d give it an A. The Nationals acquired players to shore up their two most glaring weaknesses: Speed in the leadoff spot and big game experience in the closer role. Denard Span gives them a true table setter in front of proven hitters like Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman, while Rafael Soriano has pitched in the postseason for Tampa Bay and the Yankees. This mitigates the loss of Michael Morse, who usually helped the team with his bat, but was a definite defensive liability in the outfield and had no shot of displacing Gold Glove winner Adam La Roche at first base. Sean Burnett was an effective 7th inning man man at times, but he also faltered in the NLDS Game 5 debacle. Moving Tyler Clippard into that role is an upgrade as well.
2) How likely is it that Bryce Harper will improve on his Rookie of the Year numbers?
It’s anybody’s guess, of course, but by all accounts, last year’s NL Rookie of the Year has done everything he can to avert a sophomore slump. He was a workout demon in the offseason, doing targeted weight training and exercises four days a week and heavy lifting once weekly. He also hit and ran daily. He showed up for spring training with an additional 20 pounds of muscle, penciled him in as the 10 of which he plans to lose by opening day, so his speed in the outfield and on the bases won’t be compromised. Davey Johnson must like his chances of improving, too. The skipper has penciled him in as the No. 3 hitter, a role Ryan Zimmerman has occupied for the past four years. Just the fact that Harper has a chance to play in a full season this year is reason enough for optimism that he will better his totals of 22 homers and 59 RBI over 139 games in his rookie year.
3) Will Wilson Ramos be healthy and, if so, how productive will he be?
Ramos is already playing behind the plate, running the bases and sliding in spring training and will be alternating with Kurt Suzuki in exhibition games. If he is even close to his form before his season-ending injury, the Nats will be fine at catcher. This is a position where any player who has a decent bat and is not a defensive liability will help his team. The fact that both he and Suzuki play excellent defense puts the Nats ahead of most teams in this area. Suzuki showed in the postseason that he has a clutch bat, so if both catchers can share time this season, the Nats will be just fine.
4) What rookie will make the biggest impact in 2013?
With all the young talent already at the major league level, it will be tough for any rookie to have much of a chance to play. Manager Davey Johnson is likely to take an all-veteran squad north this year. The first call-up is likely to be Anthony Rendon, who is having a terrific spring. But as an infielder, he is playing behind several well-established vets, and is unlikely to get any time unless there’s an injury. If he does force his way into the lineup, there’s a possibility he could make utility infielders Danny Espinosa or Steve Lombardozzi expendable at the trade deadline. Look for him to play a role similar to the one Tyler Moore had last season: pinch-hitting and spot duty.
5) What will be the final record of the team and where will they finish in the division?
I was bullish on this team even when they were struggling last season, and it still surprised me by winning the division, rather than grabbing a wild-card spot. I’m staying optimistic this year: 101-61, first place, NL East.
6) What one thing from your team are you most looking forward to watching?
A full season without any blather about whether the team will be hurt by shutting down Stephen Strasburg or whether such a move will sour him on a future with the Nationals. A full complement of starts and a few playoff wins under his belt will make everyone forget about last year and all the made-up drama.
