Washington Nationals: Five Takeaways From The Grapefruit League
With Spring Training nearly over for the Washington Nationals, here are five things to take away from Florida to watch for this season.
The Washington Nationals are done with their annual visit to the Grapefruit League.
Although the new Ballpark of the Palm Beaches impressed those who visited, no one will miss the constant games with the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins in nearby Jupiter. Even seven against the interesting Houston Astros lost luster after a while.
Unlike the endless NFL Training Camps, there is good reason Major League Baseball plays nearly 40 games that do not count. It takes time to build shoulder strength for pitchers and for batters to get their swing timing correct for the long marathon to follow.
We see the potential stars of tomorrow like Erick Fedde and Victor Robles or marvel at Matt Albers and Joe Nathan trying one more comeback. Spring in West Palm Beach gives us a look at the fun summer days ahead. After a long winter, to see any baseball is better than none.
The statistics for this time of year are a guide, not facts set in stone. The record is like the television show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” Scores are made up and the win-loss record does not matter.
Still, what we saw the last few weeks in the Florida sunshine sets the table and tone for the season to come. The Nationals purpose this year is to return to the playoffs and advance. How they do that gets interesting in a good way.
With the focus turning to a brief prelude at home—and the real season on Monday—here are the ten takeaways from our endless Florida vacation.
As everyone heads back to work that counts, early returns are good.
NATS DEEPER ON THE FARM
When the Nationals made their big trade at the Winter Meetings, many felt the cupboard of prospects remained too bare. As it will take years to determine of Adam Eaton for Reynaldo Lopez, Lucas Giolito and Dane Dunning is worth, the cupboard down on the farm is still well-stocked.
Fedde delivered two starts catching the eyes of fans and scouts. Austin Voth looked good early. Andrew Stevenson and Drew Ward showed the promise of seasons to come. After Matt Wieters moves on, Pedro Severino will do just fine as the Nationals catcher.
Given a chance to show their stuff, the kids did.
Although Brian Goodwin did not make the final team, Wilmer Difo expanded is versatility and pushed for the last roster spot out of nowhere. Koda Glover pitched himself on the team, possibly to close at some point.
To suggest the championship window closes soon is premature. As long as the farm system continues to develop major-league talent, the Nationals will spend what they can to contend. It might get choppy in the next few years, but it is clear potential turns to talent.
Starting pitching depth in the future is an issue, but outfield and infield talent is not. Starting with Trea Turner and the eventual arrival of Robles, the minor leagues are deep.
BRYCE HARPER’S EYE
When you hit eight home runs over the course of a month, you are locked in. What Bryce Harper did to baseballs this spring was a joy to watch, even if they did not truly count.
Not only did he tattoo balls, Harper’s swing was beautiful to watch. Free, fluid and quick.
The biggest difference between March and an indifferent September was his ability to protect the plate. Pitches swung at down the stretch on the outside corner were watched in West Palm Beach. He forced pitchers to make mistakes and crushed them into outfield berms and team office complexes.
Able to draw over 100 walks a year now, his change of approach turns a productive offense into a potential historic one. By laying off those outside pitches, he forces more pitches and mistakes. At worst, Harper draws a walk.
And you know, a walk is as good as a hit.
The other difference is Harper is relaxed. Sure, the stakes of Grapefruit League baseball for him is nothing. Yet, he played as if he had fun. Keeping loose and free is huge over the next six months.
After an odd 2016, Harper can return to the form earning him the unanimous MVP award two years ago.
STRASBURG FROM THE STRETCH
Most successful pitchers do not change their mechanics dramatically between seasons. Yet, Stephen Strasburg’s decision to work exclusively from the stretch in West Palm Beach was born out his need to simplify.
After a flexor-mass strain derailed his 2016, keeping him out of the playoffs, Strasburg felt the need for change. Two starts were good, one was a disaster while the last kept his arm warm for the regular season.
We do not know if he will use it once the regular season starts, but he felt comfortable from the stretch with the bases empty. As long as he locates his pitches and baffles hitters, he can use a full Luis Tiant-style wind.
As with relievers, being comfortable and confident with your stuff is critical for Strasburg. His arm must hold up for at least 180 innings of real baseball. If he feels better not using the wind why not?
Under normal circumstances, a pitcher starts five times or so in spring, gets his work in and runs wind sprints. If we looked at Strasburg’s March that way, he did what he set out to do. All you want right now.
If he is good, then the Nats are.
THE CLOSER AUDITION
Held largely in private, we now know Blake Treinen won the job.
With more twists than a cheap murder mystery, fans and writers alike remained in suspense until Florida’s final day to get the answer we waited for since Mark Melancon departed for the San Francisco Giants.
From the start, Shawn Kelley was not on the short list. When Glover continued to wow everyone, then there was a true audition.
Although all three pitched well, and Glover bought his way on the team with his performance, the takeaway here is how the Nationals do business. As with the Matt Wieters and Joe Blanton signings, the Nationals do their business out of the public eye.
Sure, it puzzles us all on where the team is headed. We have questions and want answers. By playing things cool and quiet, Rizzo and company never reveal their full hand.
The shot-term fallout, as with the Chris Sale/Andrew McCutchen failed deals, leaves a harsh taste. Whenever the story of this year is finished and written, we will see a well-constructed plan making sense.
No one wants to watch sausage making, although we all claim to want to, but the end product rarely disappoints. With Treinen, you get that sense.
TREA TURNER LEADING OFF
The consensus was before the start of Spring Training that Turner and Eaton would audition for the leadoff spot in the potent Nationals lineup.
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Turner’s ability to intimidate pitchers with his speed made the competition pointless. His six stolen bases and three home runs makes you think of legends Rickey Henderson and Tim Raines. Not only can Turner turn a walk into a double or triple, he has the power to start a game with a home run.
The ability to be a run scoring threat from the first pitch on earned Turner the spot. With Eaton, Harper and Daniel Murphy following, pitchers cannot make mistakes with Turner. He will make you pay.
Inexperienced pitchers will lose focus with the batter trying to keep Turner tied to first or allow the stolen base and set up the immediate runner in scoring position. As long as he reaches base, he is a threat to run.
Oh, he has good instincts and range at short too. Although it may not be Gold Glove stuff, Turner’s speed will rob hits and end rallies.
Although Eaton never got out of the gate in West Palm Beach, unless Turner goes into an extended slump, Eaton will not bat leadoff.
Classic home run hitters intimidate pitchers because they can beat you with a single swing. Turner knows he can do it with a walk. He reads pitchers well and knows when to be aggressive.
He is an All-Star in the making.