Washington Nationals Analysis: Rookies Making Huge Impact In 2015
Mandatory Credit:
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Nationals have endured their fair share of injuries this season. Four members of their “full strength” lineup, two starting pitchers, and four relievers have all spent time on the disabledlList. Players that were not mentioned very much at the beginning of the season have been depended on for extended amounts of time and in big situations while their teammates work their way back to full strength. Among these players, four rookies have stood out among the rest as solid contributors on a team that is right in the thick of the pennant race in the middle of August.
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At the start of the 2015 campaign, no rookies were projected to crack the starting lineup, rotation, or bullpen. However, the offense has seen a whole lot of the likes of Michael Taylor and Clint Robinson, with both being given playing time as a result of the absences of Denard Span, Ryan Zimmerman, and Jayson Werth. While Doug Fister and Stephen Strasburg‘s DL stints were not part of the Nationals’ plans, the emergence of rookie Joe Ross has opened eyes across the organization. Finally, with extended absences in the ‘pen by Aaron Barrett and David Carpenter, Felipe Rivero has taken his opportunity and thrived in the lefty specialist role.
The league as a whole has gotten younger, with All-Star teams stacked with players under 26. The Nationals are no exception, as they own four rookies that have made a huge impact in their quest for their third NL East crown in four years. With less than two months left in the season, just how important have these rooks been to the Nats staying in the race in the NL East?
Next: Michael A. Taylor
Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Michael A. Taylor
The Nats most Major League ready prospect entering 2015, Michael Taylor was expected to contribute as a solid bench bat and fourth outfielder, but not much more. It is general consensus that he will be taking over the starting center field spot after Denard Span enters free agency after the season, but not many thought he would be getting 300+ at bats in 2015. Through 95 games, Taylor is hitting .237/.282/.371 with 10 homers, 14 stolen bases, 47 RBIs, and 31 runs scored. He has spent time at all three outfield positions, mainly in left and center, while hitting at every position in the lineup other than second, third, and fourth.
This year:
— cj abrams enthusiast (@HalfStreetHeart) July 30, 2015
Carlos Gomez: 1.7 fWAR 314 PA
Michael Taylor: 1.6 fWAR 302 PA
While having Taylor in the starting lineup may not be the optimal position for the Nats, he has undoubtedly held his own. Among all qualified rookies, the Nats’ 24-year old outfielder ranks fourth in home runs, third in RBIs, and second in stolen bases. Although his strikeout numbers have been high (110 on the year), his production has been substantial for a player who was thrusted into the starting lineup a year earlier than expected. He has hit especially well in clutch situations, putting up a .368/.423/.559 slash line with runners in scoring position.
With Taylor taking over the center field job in 2016 and beyond, the future in Washington is a bright one. Having shown flashes of 20/20 capabilities, there are high expectations for him in the upcoming years. For now, the Nats will have to be content with having a player with his abilities on the bench (once Span returns of course). With his speed and ability to hit in clutch situations, who’s going to complain?
Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Ross
Acquired from the San Diego Padres through the Wil Myers trade this winter, Joe Ross wasn’t even considered Major League ready at the start of the season. Not even considered the biggest prospect shipped to the Nats in the trade, not many gave him a second thought in terms of making an impact in 2015. However, upon his promotion to the majors on June 6th after A.J. Cole‘s demotion to triple-A, there he was competing at the highest level. In his seven career major league starts, Ross is 3-3 with a 2.80 ERA, 0.911 WHIP, 47 strikeouts, and only 4 walks.
Nationals starter Joe Ross: highest K-BB ratio (11.8) through a pitcher's 1st 7 career starts in modern MLB history (since 1900)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 7, 2015
via Elias
With Stephen Strasburg’s return from the disabled List, rather than demote Ross back to AAA, manager Matt Williams decided to keep the rookie pitching every fifth day and regulated struggling veteran Doug Fister to the bullpen. While he is reportedly on an innings limit this season, he could be very valuable down the stretch to a Nationals club struggling to limit opponents’ scoring and he has held his own against some of the game’s best pitchers.
In the rotation this season or not, Ross has pushed himself to the forefront of plans for the future for years to come. Only 22-years old and a former first round pick, the potential to be a superstar is very much there. His brother, Padres’ starter Tyson, may already be the better pitcher right now, but Joe may give him a run for his money when it’s all said and done. The Nats may have struck gold in the trade for Joe Ross, and as a result, have a dominant, young pitcher as a rock in the rotation for years to come.
Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Clint Robinson
Clint Robinson entered the 2015 campaign a 30-year old prospect who had yet to get more than a cup of coffee in the majors. Bouncing around from team to team, no MLB club really gave him a chance to put his talents on display up on the big stage. After making the Opening Day roster for the first time in his career, Robinson still was thought of as nothing more than a left-handed bat on the bench with a little pop. Four months later, he has proven to be one of the more valuable pieces on the Nationals roster.
Hitting .264/.345/.408 in 83 games with 18 extra base hits and 21 RBI’s while spending time at first base, left field, and right field, Clint Robinson has held his own. Even pitching a scoreless inning in relief, he has come out of nowhere as Matt Williams’ go to bench player. Under team control through the 2020 season, he may be that go-to players for the Nats for the next several years.
With Zimmerman’s, Werth’s, and Span’s eventual returns to the lineup, there isn’t much opportunity for Robinson to play every day anymore. However, as it pushes the likes of Matt den Dekker and Emmanuel Burriss off the 25-man roster, he is certainly an upgrade on the bench. Having hit cleanup for a majority of the season and behind a player like Bryce Harper, he has been in plenty of tight situations with runners on and performed well. As the Nats look towards the postseason with high aspirations, Robinson is certainly a major player in Williams’ plan.
Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Felipe Rivero
It’s probably pretty easy to forget about Felipe Rivero in the shuffle of Nationals rookie pitchers who made their major league debuts this season. Rivero, Ross, Sammy Solis, Matt Grace, A.J. Cole, Rafael Martin, and Abel De Los Santos all took the mound at the major league level for the first time in 2015. What makes Rivero stand out among the rest, however, is his solid performance coming out of the bullpen that has been unmatched by any other rookie.
Owning a 2.84 ERA over 22 appearances with 25 strikeouts and only 4 walks, the lefty consistently hits 96 mph with his fastball in addition to throwing a devastating slider that can lock up the best left handed hitters in the league. While Matt Williams will occasionally misuse him in games as more than a lefty specialist, his overall performance has been nothing to turn a blind eye to. Of the aforementioned rookies to make their debuts in 2015, Felipe Rivero is the only pitcher to make more than 17 appearances, and one of three to make double digits.
Heading forward, Rivero looks to be a mainstay in the bullpen through the rest of the season. Although he has struggled as of late, there will be plenty of opportunities for him to regain his control and settle back in. With the disaster that their bullpen has been this season, the Nats are going to need him. Granted that Williams uses him in the ways that maximize his potential, he should prove to be one of the most reliable arms in the bullpen.