Nationals: 7 role players to be thankful for since 2005

Craig Stammen

Craig Stammen should have a special place in the hearts of a lot of Nationals fans. He was a 12th round pick in the inaugural draft class, made his debut in 2009, and pitched for the bad Nationals teams before they became good.

Stammen made 38 starts before moving to the bullpen where he remade himself as a solid, right handed reliever.

When the Nationals won the division for the first time in team history, Stammen was a driving force in relief. He pitched in 59 games with a record of 6-1 and a 2.34 earned run average. Stammen didn’t do as well in the Divisional Series, though without his contributions during the year, the bullpen may not have been so stable.

The following year he was called on almost as much as was just as reliable. For six years Stammen was a solid presence for the Nationals.

Unfortunately, injuries derailed his time in DC. Two torn flexor tendons put an end to his 2015 season and his missed all of 2016. He has found a home with the San Diego Padres, spending the past four years on the West Coast. Regardless of his results there, he’ll always be remembered for his time with the Nats.