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Washington Nationals: Erick Fedde converts to reliever

By Ron Juckett

Mar 17, 2017; Jupiter, FL, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Erick Fedde (62) throws against the Miami Marlins during a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Jupiter, FL, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Erick Fedde (62) throws against the Miami Marlins during a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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In a surprise move, the Washington Nationals will move Erick Fedde to a relief role. What will this mean for them and his future?

The Washington Nationals will move top pitching prospect Erick Fedde into the bullpen for the rest of the year.

With pen depth a major issue on the bug club, the Nats hope they can make a quick conversion of Fedde and call him up this year. By doing so, they are making a major gamble in two areas where Washington is short.

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It is unusual to convert a good pitcher during the regular season, but desperate times call for equal measures. When teams switch a pitcher’s role, it normally happens in spring training. The Boston Red Sox converted Jonathan Papelbon one Grapefruit League into a closer. Whether Nats fans have forgiven him yet remains.

Although changing roles is not unusual, Sammy Solis and Blake Treinen were starters, the timing is. Making the move with a successful pitcher is too. You will hear chatter of controlling innings, but this is another attempt at a quick fix covering the Nats failures to address the issue last winter.

Fedde started a pair of games for the Nationals in West Palm Beach. He shut down a mostly full New York Mets club in his first, drawing speculation he might be ready this year.

His offspeed pitches are ready. It is swing and miss stuff. The fastball needs work. Fedde did not command it well in his two spring starts and the pitch is flat.

Assigned to Double-A Harrisburg this spring, Fedde made seven starts with good results. In 42.2 innings, he has an ERA of 3.16 and a WHIP of 1.125. With a record of 2-3, not so important at that level, he allowed 34 hits, 14 walks and 35 strikeouts. Good solid numbers for someone projecting into a mid-rotation spot.

After announcing the role switch Tuesday, Fedde pitched the seventh against Eastern League foe Bowie Bay Sox with mixed results. Again, the fastball did not dance. He struggled with command with a walk. A double led to a run. He managed two strikeouts, but in 22 pitches tossed 12 strikes.

At 24, Fedde is on the verge of being ready. A few more good starts would earn him a promotion to Syracuse; a team in dire need of quality starters. Instead, the Nats are rushing his development, hoping to catch lightning in a bottle.

If the Nats carried good starting pitching depth, then fine. Fedde’s tired of long bus rides and morning games. We know, however, the starting depth for Washington runs four deep. Joe Ross is in Syracuse while A.J. Cole looked lost in his recent spot start. Jacob Turner will get whiplash between long relief and starting.

Fedde does not strike you as a closer in waiting. His fastball is not overpowering. If he joins the list of setup layers, he’s an unpolished Treinen. We saw what the closer role did to him.

Next: Zim chases Triple Crown

It is a gamble. How smart remains to be seen.

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