District on Deck » Drew Storen

Fantasy Preview: Drew Storen

Andrew Flax — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 13:30:07 +0000

The 2013 season will be a new experience for righty Drew Storen. In his only full MLB season, 2011, Storen was the Nats’ full-time closer and earned 43 saves. While he was not the team’s top reliever in 2010, as a rookie, or in 2012, when he backed up Tyler Clippard after returning from an injury, Storen will enter the season as the team’s 8th inning for the first time in his career. He dominated out of the role last season, with a 2.37 ERA and a 0.989 WHIP in 30.1 IP after returning in July. While not getting saves will hurt his fantasy value, he remains an excellent reliever, as befits his draft slot (10th overall in 2009). He also appears to be past his nightmarish end to 2012, in which he allowed four runs to blow a save and turn a 7-5 advantage with two outs into a 9-7 St. Louis Cardinals lead. As much as it was covered during the offseason, Storen has moved on, as he showed with his composure after blowing a recent Spring Training save against the Mets. Our projections foresee continued excellence from him, with some regression to be conservative:

February 15, 2013; Viera, FL, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Drew Storen (22) in action during spring training at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

ZiPS: 56.1 IP, 52 K, 17 BB, 1.17 WHIP, 3.20 ERA

MLB.com: 58 IP, 50 K, 17 BB, 1.16 WHIP, 3.20 ERA

CBSSports: 65 IP, 59 K, 17 BB, 1.05 WHIP, 2.77 ERA

ESPN Fantasy: 64 IP, 61 K, 20 BB, 1.23 WHIP, 3.23 ERA

Averages: 61 IP, 56 K, 18 BB, 1.15 WHIP, 3.10 ERA

Without injury or playing time concerns, thoughts on Storen’s 2013 all follow a similar thread. Lots of strikeouts, few walks, and not many runs either. Even this estimate, which would make Storen a great reliever, might be an overestimate in terms of runs allowed. Despite a small sample size, Storen pitched at a maintainable level in 2012. His baBIP actually jumped 18 points from his incredibly successful 2011, when he had a 2.75 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP, meaning his performance was not founded on getting lucky with balls in play. He also had a FIP of 2.40, meaning his ERA was quite close to representing how well he actually pitched, based on fielding-independent outcomes like home runs, walks, and strikeouts. So while some may see a low ERA and assume it is unsustainable, the stats seem to say that Storen simply pitched well, and there is no reason to assume he won’t in 2013. Call me an optimist, but I expect Storen’s ERA to be at least a bit lower than what our projections expect. In fantasy he won’t have much value unless you are awarded points for holds or he pitches extremely well, so he will likely be a non-factor there, like every other middle reliever. On the Nationals, Storen will certainly continue to perform as an elite bullpen option, demonstrating the embarrassment of riches the Nationals have in being able to pitch him in the eighth.

Spring Training Game 2: Washington Nationals 2, Miami Marlins 2

Jared Book — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 14:01:58 +0000

Yesterday’s game was such a Spring Training game. There was a lengthy rain delay where most regulars did not return. There was a tie, and the game result didn’t matter*.

*Also applicable to the 2002 All-Star Game

I haven’t looked, but I really hope that a lot of people aren’t freaking out about Drew Storen‘s blown save after he gave up a run in the ninth inning. This isn’t a repeat of Game 5. This was his first appearance of the Spring in a game where the result didn’t matter. This doesn’t justify signing Rafael Soriano and it doesn’t mean that he will never be the pitcher he once was. He gave up two hits and a run. That’s all there is to it. It doesn’t matter if it happened in the first inning or the ninth. Speak to me again in April.

February 23, 2012; Melbourne, FL, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Yunesky Maya (29) works out during camp at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

This game’s offensive exploits for the Nationals came courtesy of Anthony Rendon, who showed why he is the top prospect in the organization with an opposite field two-run home run off Ryan Webb in the fifth inning. Webb is a major league reliever, so it is significant that Rendon showed power like that. Rendon can be making his major league debut as early as this season, so him having good performances against major league caliber pitching is a good sign. Of course, it is one at bat in Spring Training and not much can be taken from this, but it’s baseball and it’s all we’ve got.

Jordan Zimmermann allowed two hits and a run over three innings and should be satisfied with his start. Yunesky Maya also had a very good game as well, going three innings allowing only one hit and one walk. If Maya proves he can pitch against Major League hitting, he just adds to the pitching depth. He has been mostly a disappointment since coming over to the United States, but with lower expectations he might be able to have a role as a swing guy between AAA and the majors.

Zach Duke only pitched one inning, and while I initially thought that shows the Nationals are keeping him for the bullpen, he was interrupted by the rain delay and probably finished his workload in a simulated game indoors.

Things are often blown out of proportion this early in Spring, so I will try to not contribute to that, but with Chad Tracy playing in the field two days in a row it looks like Davey Johnson may be looking to see if Tracy can play a role on this bench. The Nationals have a lot of options on how to configure their bench, but keeping Tracy around as only a pinch hitter is maybe not the best way to go about things. If he can show he can be at least somewhat serviceable in the field, that makes him even more valuable.

The Nationals are back at it again tonight at 6:10 again against the New York Mets (and again in Port St. Lucie.) The game is available on MLB.tv and MLB Network. Gio Gonzalez will be getting the start for Washington.

Nationals Avoid Arbitration With Six Players, Only Jordan Zimmermann Remains

Jared Book — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 19:13:42 +0000

Update: Amanda Comak of the Washington Times tweets that the club has come to an agreement with shortstop Ian Desmond as well. The deal is for 1 year and $3.8 million, so obviously it does not look like a long-term deal for Desmond this year.

Update 2: Dan Kolko of MASN says that Tyler Clippard has avoided arbitration as well.

After solidifying their roster with trades and free agent signings, it seems like the Washington Nationals turned their attention to their own players, avoiding the dreaded arbitration hearings with Drew Storen, Craig Stammen, Ross Detwiler and Roger Bernadina.

September 29, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond (20) throws out a St. Louis Cardinals base runner during the second inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

Storen will receive an incentive laden $2.5 million which would mean more money if he returns as the team’s closer after General Manager Mike Rizzo made it known that Rafael Soriano was brought in to pitch the ninth inning. Basically, the more games that Storen finishes, the more money he will make.

Detwiler will also see a one-year deal worth $2.337 million. He is penciled in as the fifth starter right now, and if he has a solid season should be set to see that number rise over his career.

Stammen signed a 2-year extension worth a total of $2.25 million, according to Adam Kilgore. Stammen will be one of the middle relief guys in the Nationals bullpen and could start if injuries pile up in the rotation.

Bernadina also avoided arbitration, according to James Wagner. No terms have been announced as of yet.

That leaves Jordan Zimmermann as the two remaining Nationals who have not come to an agreement. I would not be surprised to see a long-term contract finalized with Zimmermann as he is the de-facto third starter for this Nationals team and coming off of a great season after Tommy John surgery.