Monday, June 7, 2010

48 hours under the spotlight

The glow of Bryce Harper's selection as the Nationals' newest No. 1 draft pick will hardly have died down by the time 7:05 p.m. arrives tomorrow. But that major development in franchise history will already be trumped by an even greater event in Stephen Strasburg's big-league debut.

It's a 1-2 punch that has never been seen before, in these parts or anywhere else in around the sport. As I wrote on CSNwashington.com, during these 48 hours, Washington has suddenly become epicenter of the baseball universe.

7 comments:

Ernie said...

I am honestly excited, but is anyone else out there at least a little nervous we might end up with another Kwame? I hope it's not the case, but the last few years have taught me not to get my hopes up about this team...

Anonymous said...

"Rizzo said he won’t rush Harper, who is going to be converted from a catcher to a right fielder, and the 17-year-old won’t be on a track to the majors nearly as fast as Strasburg and Drew Storen, two college pitchers who made it to the majors in less than one year."

So, this is really Rizzo's Plan B for Rightfield.

I knew after Dukes was dumped and Maxwell flopped and no trade was made that Rizzo had a RF solution.

Wait 3 years for Bryce Harper! ;-)

Anonymous said...

I guess we will have 3 RF's for the next 3 years while we wait for the second coming of the second coming...Harris, Bernadina and Morse...not exactly the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse! I think we should covert Stammen to RF, hs bat is better than all three of those goons combined!

Knoxville Nat said...

Anon, 8:55 said.... "I think we should convert Stammen to RF, hs (sic) bat is better than all three of those goons combined!"

Apparently you were not paying attention on Sunday when Morse hit a clutch two out, two run double in the bottom of the ninth to tie the score.

Better to let Stammen stay on the mound in the minors and learn how to pitch out of first inning jams and also learn how to get a sacrifice bunt down when called upon to do so!

Anonymous8 said...

Anon, I doubt Willie Harris will be back. He is in the last year of his $1.5 million contract and diminishing returns.

I really think the Nats 3 biggest holes for next year is 1st base, RF, and 2nd base.

Bernadina can be the lefthanded guy but they need a righthanded guy for 2 years until Bryce Harper is ready and certainly Bernadina can play CF.

Morse is a valuable bench guy and management doesn't see him as a defensive asset I guess.

Do they re-sign Adam Dunn because if not, 1st base will again be the focus in the off-season.

Who do takes over at 2nd base next year?

I am still hoping the team does a new contract with Dunn over the All Star break so they can make RF and 2nd base the focus for the off-season.

Bowdenball said...

Everyone's excited today ... and rightfully so ... but don't forget that the Nats are also on the clock in the MLB draft right now, picking at noon. Whoever they add today is going to immediately become one of the better prospects in the system.

At the very least, it's something to help pass the time until 7:05 PM.

Anonymous8 said...

Knoxville Nat said...

Better to let Stammen stay on the mound in the minors and learn how to pitch out of first inning jams and also learn how to get a sacrifice bunt down when called upon to do so!


Well said and agreed. For such a good athlete, Stammen really stuck himself by not being able to bunt.

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