As we all know, the past year has been rough on the Nationals’ minor league system. Trades and promotions have turned what was once an excellent farm into just a mediocre one, with only a handful of high-end prospects remaining. While all of these moves have been done for the betterment of the major league club, the farm system is still in need of some restocking at all levels. With a low draft pick combined with a small bonus pool, as well as a cap on international spending after blowing through the cap last July 2nd, the traditional methods of restocking the farm offer limited near term value.
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Off-The-Field Recap: The Nats Are Risen
*Extremely Michael Buffer voice:* ARE YOU READY TO REEECAAAAPPPP?
Erick Fedde Looks For Fast Start in Harrisburg
If the early returns prove to be any indication, 2017 will be a strong year for Erick Fedde. The right-hander, who is perhaps the most recognizable pitching prospect in the system, has gotten off to a fast start at Double-A Harrisburg, leaving hope that he will build on his early success.
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Don’t Get Too Excited About Gio Gonzalez… Yet
Three turns of the rotation into the 2017 season and the most frustrating pitcher on the Nationals staff has put together a trio of strong starts. Gio Gonzalez has allowed only three earned runs (plus two unearned) in 20 1/3 innings, and if not for The 2017 Nationals Bullpen in his first start and The 2017 Nationals Bullpen in his third start, the 31-year old lefthander would have three wins as well.
Continue Reading Don’t Get Too Excited About Gio Gonzalez… Yet
2017 Player Preview: Joe Ross
Thanks to some quirks in the early season schedule, Joe Ross finally takes the bump for the Nationals in 2017 today. Ross hopes to build on the positives from 2016, while avoiding the injuries that cut his previous season short. As the youngest member of the Nationals’ starting rotation, there are plenty of positive signs for Cool Joe Ross but some causes for concern as well heading into 2017.
Bucknor’s Bad Night Frustrates Nats
Sometimes umpires are bad, and sometimes umpires make you question the validity of ever giving effort to anything, as we are all just specks in the universe, beholden to another speck’s horrible strikezone. And sometimes, Jayson Werth is gonna yell about it. The Nationals Tuesday night game in Atlanta was all three with CB Bucknor behind the plate.
Ryan Zimmerman Really Has Improved His Launch Angle
{Exterior, Ryan Zimmerman’s house, October 14, 2016, Virginia Beach, VA}
Zimmerman steps out onto his spacious porch overlooking the Atlantic. You can see the weight of the season on his shoulders. He wistfully looks out over the waves, and sighs.
ZIMMERMAN: Never again. Something has to change. No, damn it. I have to change.
{camera pans up to the setting sun as ominous bass notes play underneath}
(Writer’s note: …I made all that up)
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Don’t Worry About Jayson Werth, Not That You Were
Think about Jayson Werth for a second.
As a Nats fan who loves to worry, is he on your list of concerns? The bullpen, the defense, Trea’s hamstring… Werth doesn’t register, right?
Well, he shouldn’t. Just in case you were thinking about it.
Now, there is a reason or two to worry about Werth. But let me explain why even those shouldn’t concern you. Please, remain calm for the duration of the article.
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Bryce Blasts Walkoff Bomb
Sunday, Gio Gonzalez went seven and 1/3 innings to give the Nationals a 3-1 lead before the bullpen worked on the knowledge that Bryce Harper can’t hit a walk-off bomb if they don’t blow a lead first.
Nats Power Rankings: April 17
Welcome to the first in a series, in which we review the previous week in Nationals baseball and power rank the players according to their performance. This is an extremely unserious exercise; at no point should it ever be confused with actual baseball analysis. Don’t worry, I will do my best to make sure that is obvious. Without further ado: your Washington Nationals, ranked according to power.