Starting Pitching

Projected Rotation

1.    John Patterson, RH
2.    Shawn Hill, RH
3.    Jason Simontacci, RH
4.    Matt Chico, LH
5.    Jerome Williams, RH

2007 Team Perspective
   
This is going to be another dreadful year for the Washington franchise, and I’m trying to be as optimistic as humanly possible while I say that. The could challenge the ‘62 Mets for the worst record ever.  I’m excited about Ryan Zimmerman, who looks to be the real deal after exploding onto the scene as a rookie last season. We’ve been waiting on the immense talent that is Austin Kearns for years. Is a change of scenery all he needed to realize his potential?  RFK Stadium certainly limits his power upside.  If he couldn’t pull it together in Cincy, it’s hard to believe that he’ll suddenly find his power stroke in Washington. Staff Ace John Patterson’s got dominating stuff...and a medical chart that makes a phone book look thin. Behind him the rotation are a bunch of has-beens and no-names. First year manager, Manny Acta sure has his work cut out for him.  Kansas City’s got a plethora of talent compared to this franchise.

Bullpen

1.    Chad Cordero, RH, Closer
2.    Jon Rauch, RH, Set-Up 1
3.    Ryan Wagner, RH, Set-Up 2

The bullpen really wasn’t the problem last season, and I can’t see it being much of a problem this season either.  Chad Cordero has been somewhat overworked in the past, but he’s shown no real lingering effects of abuse, and has been a rock of consistency at the end of the pen.  With a 225/85 K/BB ratio in 241 1/3 career IP, he’s pretty good, even if he gives up a good number of homeruns.  I’m not sure whether throwing 85 games last season will affect Jon Rauch, but the big lanky right-hander should be fine. He’s one of the best setup guys out there, and chances are, this is one of the first times you’ve heard that. 86 strikeouts in 91 1/3 Innings.  Any reliever who fans that many batters over that many innings deserves consideration. Ryan Wagner was once thought of as a top closer prospect for the Reds, but those expectations have proved to be unfounded.  Until he can develop some semblance of control, he’s a marginal middle man at best.

Sleeper

Kory Casto has put together some solid run producing years in the low minors in recent seasons, eclipsing 20 HR in each of the last two years at High-A and Double-A Harrisburg.  Though he’s now 25 years old, he walks an awful lot, (165/202 BB/K ratio the last two years), should provide some power, and act as a fair fill-in during this expansion-like phase of the Nationals franchise.

Bust

Who on this team, other than Ryan Zimmerman, isn’t a bust candidate? I’ll say Felipe Lopez, just for argument’s sake, but you’d be making a fair statement if you said that nobody on this team will have a real impact in 2007. Lopez had a big time power drop-off after the deal to Washington.  In 394 PA in Cincinnati, he hit nine homeruns; in 320 PA in Washington, he just hit two.  His HR/F also dropped to a miniscule 3.5% after the deal.  Obviously, his 20+ HR days are over.

Top Prospect

Collin Balester, the big 6’5 Right-hander is just 21 years old, made a short appearance in Double-A Harrisburg last season despite struggling in High-A ball.  He doesn’t have high K rates, or low BB rates. He didn’t turn many heads in the low minors, but by process of elimination, he’s the guy here.  He won’t have any impact this season, and I’d be surprised if he ever amounts to anything more than a middle reliever or fifth starter.  Think Brian Bannister.

First Off The Bench

Chris Snelling and Ronnie Belliard could both see significant playing time before the All-Star Break.  As was pointed out earlier, neither Ryan Church nor Christian Guzman inspire any level of confidence. Snelling’s looked pretty good in Spring Training, and has only been held back in the past by injury.  If he can stay healthy, look for him to find his way into the everyday lineup.  Belliard isn’t anything special offensively, but he did start at second for the Cardinals in the World Series last year.