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Washington Nationals: 2017 Minor League Opening Day Preview

By Ricky Keeler

Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Nationals
Nov 3, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Glendale Desert Dogs pitcher Austin Voth of the Washington Nationals against the Scottsdale Scorpions during an Arizona Fall League game at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Syracuse Chiefs

The Chiefs are led by Billy Gardner Jr., who is in his fourth season as the manager at Syracuse. When you look at this roster, it is filled with players that have Major League experience or were in Major League camp this winter as non-roster invitees.

First, this rotation has a strong top three in Joe Ross, Austin Voth, and A.J. Cole. Ross won’t be there for long and is only in the minors since the Washington Nationals don’t need a fifth starter. Taylor Hill is going to start for the Chiefs today against Jose Berrios.

As far as the battery mate for the pitchers goes, the starter is Pedro Severino. The 23-year-old will get another full season in the International League to develop behind the plate as he tries to become the Major League catcher of the future after 2017.

In the bullpen, the Chiefs have some depth in terms of Major League experience with Matt Albers, Trevor Gott, Matt Grace, Neal Cotts, and Michael Broadway. Another name to watch is Austin Adams, who was acquired in the Danny Espinosa trade form the Angels. We had the chance to talk to Adams earlier this winter.

If you look at the Syracuse infield, they have depth at first base with Clint Robinson and Matt Skole, who could also play some third base with Brandon Snyder. Skole was added to the 40-man roster during the winter.

Finally, in the outfield, you will see Brian Goodwin and Rafael Bautista. Bautista has some speed on the bases as evident by his 56 stolen bases at double-A Harrisburg in 2016. Also, Goodwin got some time in the Major Leagues last year and will get a chance to play everyday with the Chiefs.

While Syracuse doesn’t have the best prospects in the Nats system, it’s a group of players that can provide depth to the Major League roster should an injury happen.

You can listen to all Chiefs game on the Score 1260 in Syracuse with Kevin Brown and Eric Gallanty on the call and watch the video on MILB.TV (paid subscription required).

Update: Today and tomorrow’s Syracuse games have been postponed due to rain. They will play their first game on Saturday afternoon at 1:05 p.m ET and then play a doubleheader on Sunday:

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