Saturday, April 20, 2013
VIDEO: Who is the Nats' best starter?
On this week's episode of The Baseball Show, Mark, Rob, and Jim Duquette debated who the Nationals' best starting pitcher is so far this season. It seems like a timely topic after Stephen Strasburg's rocky outing last night in New York.
Most agree Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez are among the best in the majors, but what about Jordan Zimmermann and Ross Detwiler? Through two weeks the case could be made for any of the four as the best on the staff. Detwiler is the hot pitcher at the moment and Zimmermann is off to another good start after three consistent outings (3-0, 2.45 ERA).
The Nats have only played 16 games, but right now who would you call the team's best starting pitcher?
Also please check out this week's Geico Minor League Spotlight in which I talk about Anthony Rendon's tremendous first few weeks at Double-A Harrisburg.
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39 comments:
JZ is definitely the Matt Cain of this rotation when Tim Lincecum used to be the automatic Cy Young choice (now Cain is definitely their #1 despite early season struggles).
Stras seemed to me to be trying to rush to the plate a lot last night, and he doesn't work his best that way. Definitely out of rhythm - and it seems like he's been doing that all season. Part of his effort to make it harder to steal on him? Personally I'd rather he just pitch in a more comfortable way for the overall better results, even if a few more stolen bases happen.
Two Nats failed experiments go against each other today ... CM Wang 2-0 for the SWB Yankees against Yunesky Maya in the first game of a doubleheader.
Also, if you're in the mood for weird baseball plays:
Jean Segura of the Brewers tries to steal second twice in the same inning, with stealing first in between.
Also, I can't seem to find video of it, but the Pirates had an RBI strikeout last night against the Braves - bases loaded, the batter swung at a wild pitch that got away from the Braves' catcher (not Gattis) and made it to first before the throw could be made, while the runner on third scored. Never seen that.
I feel that the organization has tried to change both Stras and Gio-- be more efficient, pitch to contact, hold runners on. Maybe that has screwed them up. They originally did that to Det and he had to revert to his old form. Let them be themselves and use the pen in those nights, let JZ throw as many strikes as he wants, let Det throw his two pitches. Different things work for different pitchers. It reminds me of trying to get Desi to take more pitches. Differing styles. Perhaps there is too much thinking going on and those two guys can't incorporate it. Suzuki needs to be somewhere in this conversation. When an error happens, he needs to make sure there is not a meltdown- get out there, tell a joke , something. Stras and Gio are Divas- they need to be handled more. JZ and Det handle themselves.
Uh Chase? Anthony Rendon has played ONE GAME at shortstop. ONE game at DH. And ONE ***ONE** game at second base?
And how many games has he played at third base in his minor league career so far? **28**
That does tell you something doesn't it?
And actually add 14 to that 28. Twenty eight games at third base just in Harrisburg so the totals are 43 games at third base. Add the games in the AFL?
Oh, and Nats?? The fans in NY mocked your starting pitcher. Did that piss you off at all? Will you be responding to that with a bit more fire? I hope so.
Oh, and Nats?? The fans in NY mocked your starting pitcher. Did that piss you off at all? Will you be responding to that with a bit more fire? I hope so.
All I know is they need to get someone different to do the minor league report. Perhaps Luke Erickson is available.
baseballswami said...
Oh, and Nats?? The fans in NY mocked your starting pitcher. Did that piss you off at all? Will you be responding to that with a bit more fire? I hope so.
April 20, 2013 11:40 AM
Yea, Swami, it did piss me off. I want revenge!!!
I think Stras is o.k. He needs to work on hitting his spots on both sides of the plate. Haren we may need to dump, and Storen and HRod are horrible. I think they will be moved one way or the other. We may need to adjust our expectations for this season. My biggest gripe is the contract for Zimm and LaRoche, both of whom are most likely declining players. Zimm, in particular, irks me because he is harming Harper's development as pitchers realize they can pitch around him,losing games, and preventing the development of Rendon. He is unmovable from a financial perspective as well. This will hamper our team for the next couple of years. In an ideal situation, he would have been trade bait for a better offensive second baseman. Rendon could then develop at his natural position with a smaller risk of injury. We could have kept Morse and LaRoche. This is what happens when you make sentimental contracts based on past performance. Werth's contract is bad as well, but he is tough-minded and an offensive asset. But he did block any Justin Upton trade.
I doubt most of the Nats care about the 20 or so idiot NY fans chanting "Harvey's Better"...you would think it was a high school game.
Having said that, I guarantee Stras is ticked.
Part of his effort to make it harder to steal on him?
Good point, EmDash. You could be right. Something definitely is not right with Stras.
peric said...
Uh Chase? Anthony Rendon has played ONE GAME at shortstop. ONE game at DH. And ONE ***ONE** game at second base?
And how many games has he played at third base in his minor league career so far? **28**
That does tell you something doesn't it?
April 20, 2013 11:38 AM
Uh Peric? No, there's been 14 Harrisburg games so far this season and in them Rendon has played 2nd twice, SS once, DH once, and 3rd 10 times.
Not exactly the Rizzo plan he set out and last year Rendon was strictly a 3rd baseman, so what's your point?
And chase referred to AR as "infielder"... What art of that do you find offensive, Peric?
peric said...
All I know is they need to get someone different to do the minor league report. Perhaps Luke Erickson is available.
April 20, 2013 11:53 AM
Chase is doing a great job. Not sure why you constantly feel the need to attack him.
If you have an issue with the positions Rendon is playing, maybe you should address your anger at Mike Rizzo.
EmDash, thanks for that link.
You can watch this game every day of your life and tonight, you might still see something you have never seen before.
Zimm, in particular, irks me because he is harming Harper's development as pitchers realize they can pitch around him,losing games, and preventing the development of Rendon.
DJB, you make some good points, but I really disagree with this statement. Zimmerman is a streak hitter, as is most of our offense. When he gets hot, he will be plenty of protection for Harper. Also at this point, he is not preventing the development of Rendon. Tony can very well use this time in the minors. As the year goes on, however, your point may become more valid.
Ramos and Suzuki have a pitcher hitting behind them. I don't see anyone upset that their development is hurt.
Each player has to adapt and take what the pitcher's give them. According to DJB, Harper should be getting lots of walks and in reality he isn't.
If someone posted already, I apologize. This is hilarious that Desi is trying to set-up one of the BP pitchers with Michelle Beadle.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/wp/2013/04/19/ian-desmond-playing-twitter-matchmaker-for-michelle-beadle/
This pre- game ceremony in Boston is very moving.
And Papi just dropped the F bomb on national tv!
If you have an issue with the positions Rendon is playing, maybe you should address your anger at Mike Rizzo.
He's playing third base 99.9% of the time. He isn't rotating at all. Jeff Kobernus is probably the best minor league position player right now.
I have a beef with accuracy in reporting ... its what I see from Bryon Kerr and Luke Erickson. Just like the folks on this blog demand ... well ... from posters. Chase is making up stories to fit what he likes not what is really going on.
Ghost, Rendon has played 42 games at third base. 2 games and second base, 1 game at shortstop, and 1 game at DH.
Please explain how that is "rotating" positions because he is blocked in the major leagues?
He is a third baseman. Its possible they might convert him later but that isn't happening as yet.
David Wade @davidwade 11m
Whatever the fine is for Papi's speech, the FCC should give it to OneFund. #RedSox
So true. Apparently ESPN bleeped it. Not mlb. It was strangely not at all offensive.
what did he say?
what did he say?
what did he say?
what did he say?
what did he say?
Zimm, in particular, irks me because he is harming Harper's development as pitchers realize they can pitch around him,losing games, and preventing the development of Rendon. He is unmovable from a financial perspective as well. This will hamper our team for the next couple of years
He's moving to FIRST BASE. It will happen. His bat will come around and you will undoubtedly sing a different tune. I believe Zim is capable of becoming a first rung elite hitter IF HE CAN AVOID injury. This is what you want at first base. Think Prince Fielder except far and away the superior fielder.
Zim is capable of hitting over .300, 100 RBI, 3)+ homer, 30+ doubles and perhaps 100 runs every season. BUT that isn't going to happen if his bat speed is hampered by shoulder issues.
DJB getting JUSTI UPTON was their last change to get a similar hitter with a similar ceiling that was still very young. NOTE the requirements: elite hitter potential and YOUNG. Not guys who could instantly go into steep declines.
Rendon has the potential to be a 20 HR guy in the majors at this point. Looks like a perennial .300 hitter who could get you close to 100 RBI and if he bats second like Harper did 100 runs. He's also going to walk a lot.
BUT he really shouldn't be at second base because he has already suffered two broken ankles. That needs to be taken into account. He and his arm belong at third base. Zim with the shoulder at first base.
The outfield with Werth is where more players are blocked. BUT I am hopeful that management will move Werth to the 4th outfielder slot in a couple of year when his hitting declines.
He said-- this is our F- Ing city. Among other passionate things.
And because Rendon IS YOUNG Keith Law the Nats aren't going to trade him. Unless they got two Justin Uptons or a Strasburg in return.
Peric, you are great at manipulating facts. Rendon has played 71.4% of the time so far at 3rd. Last year Rendon was only a 3rd baseman. Report accurately.
Det and Zimm -- hands down. Next month that may change.
whose the worst?
Thanks Swami.
I really think that whoever thinks that moving Zimmerman to 1b will be a cure all, are all wrong. A first baseman needs to throw just like anyother infielder. Don't make the error and think a first baseman doesn't need to throw. With Zimm at 1b, everyrunner on third would score just by hitting the ball down to Zim. If Zim can't get control of his throwing problem, unfortunately, he wont be playing anywhere.
Seems that Laroche is blocking Rendon And Corey Brown -- maybe we should have passed on an aging Laroche and gone 'young' prospect this year. But Davey and Rizzo had to have laroche , so it is what it is. Plus, resigning Laroche ushered in the dumping of arguably one of our best hitters -- leaving us with ... well .. much less. Go figure
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