National Record

The 2011 Washington Nationals have competed in the early going but some bad luck with both injuries(3B Ryan Zimmerman) and personal issues(SS Ian Desmond) taking away key players. The pitching continues to battle , pitching deep enough into games to provide the offense chances to win games. 4 of the Nationals 5 starters have sub 3.75 ERAs while number 5 man LH Tom Gorzelanny has been solid as well at 4.96 in 3 starts. The bullpen has been great from day 1, led by LH Doug Slaten(0.00), RHs Drew Storen(3 saves, 0.69) and  Tyler Clippard(6 holds,1.69).

NATIONALS NOTES:

1- DOWN 2 MEN:  Zimmerman(DL with an abdomen strain) jogged prior to Tuesday’s game(April 26th) and will more than likely plays some minor league games soon. Look for the team’s franchise 3B to return sometime next week.  Desmond was placed on the paternity list April 26th to be with his wife, who is delivered their first son the same day. Manager Jim Riggleman said his shortstop will return and be in the lineup Thursday(April 28th)

2- OFFENSIVE OUTBURSTS: The Nationals have clearly missed Zimmerman in the early going with the club 23rd in runs and 29th in batting average among the 30 ML teams . However, two positives with their recent play have been LF Michael Morse and 2B Danny Espinosa. Morse went 10 for 24  during a 7 game span(April 15-24), hitting his 1st homer April 24th. 2nd year 2B Espinosa,who has settled into the leadoff spot nicely, has 15 rbi and is among the National League leaders in that category.  With Desmond returning, the Nationals middle infield should be set for years.

15 games in and the 2011 Washington Nationals have made progress and are a team that you must show up to beat.  If you think this team is a joke, you will lose. GM Mike Rizzo has done a nice job  during his tenure of adding veteran major leaguers  to fortify the kids. While some have struggled(1B Adam Laroche, RF Jayson Werth) in Washington, their baseball card says they will turn it around.  The underrated pitching staff, an area that features a blend of kids and smart investments, keeps the Nationals in almost every game. Bright, bright future with two potential  superstars, SP Stephen Strasburg(Tommy John surgery) and OF Bryce Harper(1st season in pro ball) already in the organization.

Nationals Notes:

1- Struggling Offense: Amazing that Washington is 8-7 with so many players not hitting. The team ranks offensively(30 Major League teams), as of April 19th:  Runs(18th), Batting average(27), On Base(19) and Slugging percentage(26). Werth and Laroche have combined to hit 4 home runs and  drive in 7 runs. LF Michael Morse(.205, 4 rbi) , who was one of the stars of the spring, couldn’t  hit water if he fell out of a boat right now. Youngsters at 2nd base and Catcher have been bright spots, Danny Espinosa has 2 homers and 14 rbi while Wilson Ramos clearly appears close to taking over back stop duties full time, hitting at a .414 clip after 29 at bats. SS Ian Desmond was in a major slump early(hitless in the first 3 games) but has settled down after collecting 4 hits in game 4. The talented infielder leads the club in hits with 13. A silver lining here? The club has been without superstar 3B Ryan Zimmerman since April 9th.

2- Surprise Pitching: The pitching staff has carried the club early, especially the top 4 rotation spots. The unit has posted solid numbers overall: 10th in ERA, 8th in quality starts(6 innings pitched,3 earned runs or less),9th in WHIP and 11th in batting average against.  When you watch the Nationals pitch, you begin to realize why they have been effective. This team offers variety and different looks, heck half the time Livan Hernandez(2-1,2.88, 4 starts) looks like he couldn’t break an egg but he gets outs. Lefty John Lannan(1-1,3.38) and veteran Jason Marquis(1-0,3.26, Team high 15 Ks) have also been impressive in their 3 starts. However, the biggest positive has to been  the development of  RHP Jordan Zimmerman, in his 2nd season healthy after Tommy John surgery  late in 2009.  The tall right hander has a team low 2.45 ERA in 3 outings and is 1-2. Add in 10 Ks with an obscenely low 0.98 WHIP and this kid looks back.

3- BULL-pen: A unit that I really liked coming into the season has not disappointed and with the rotation giving the boys enough rest yet enough work early,  this group could be dominant.   LH Sean Burnett has 3 saves(2.35 ERA, 6 Ks and no walks)  and is now the closer. Tyler Clippard looks like he could pitch everyday(9 games) and is one of the top set up relievers in the game. He has 4 holds,1.64 ERA and 13 strikeouts to 4 walks. Promising RH Drew Storen looks strong and will one day be the closer. In 9 games, he is 1-1  with a 0.87 ERA. The Nationals 1st round selection in the 2009 draft(10th overall) has 8 strike outs with 3 walks. One of the more underrated components of this organization is pitching coach Steve McCatty. That man is doing a tremendous job with the staff and should start to hear his name linked with managerial positions.

Washington Nationals 3B Ryan Zimmerman will be placed on the DL due to an abdominal strain. The club’s best all around player had a similar injury in spring training and aggravated  it sliding Saturday(April 9th). Baseball activities- swinging the bat, running, fielding- do not hurt him but falling or landing on it  does  according to Nationals General  Manager Mike Rizzo.  Internal candidates Jerry Hairston Jr and Alex Cora are the top candidates to play  3B while Zimmerman is out. No sugar coating this, a HUGE loss.  Starting 1B Adam Laroche strained his left groin in Sunday’s (April 10th) contest but he should be Ok with treatment scheduled for Today(April 11th). The club has no plans to DL their new 1B and his status becomes even more vital after the loss of Zimmerman.

The 2011 season opened last week and the Washington Nationals received some workman like performances from their top 3 starting pitchers-LH John Lannan, RHs Livan Hernandez and Jordan Zimmerman (17 and a third innings, 5 earned runs)  but the bats did not back the arms as  the team slumped early , noticeably sparkplug SS Ian Desmond, who opened 0 for 13 out of the leadoff spot.  However, Desmond has picked it up, going 6 for his next 10 while adding 2 rbi and 2 steals. Mega-free agent acquisition RF Jayson Werth homered for the first time April 7th while franchise 3B Ryan Zimmerman continues to show why he is the franchise, hitting .316 with a home run and 4 rbi thru 6 games.

Negatives? Two of the stars of the spring, CF Rick Ankiel(.158) and LF Micheal Morse(.111) have come out colder than an igloo in the North Pole. New 1B Adam Laroche has a homer and 3 rbi but is hitting .167 . Great glove or no great glove, that must improve. The catching platoon of rookie Wilson Ramos(4 games, 14 ABs,.357 batting average) and future hall of famer Pudge Rodriquez(3,10, no hits) has offered a mixed bag as the veteran has failed to pull his weight.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Rookie 2B Danny Espinosa showed why he is so well regarded, hitting .333 with 2 rbi in the first 6 games. Very exciting player with speed who will hit for power over time. The bullpen tandem of LH Sean Burnett(4 games, 4 innings, 2 saves, 3 Ks) and RH Tyler Clippard(4,6,hold,6 Ks) looked strong after impressing in 2010.