The Nats kicked off spring training today with a couple of split squad games, one against the Marlins and another against the Astros. Thankfully the games don’t count and it is a time for teams to shake off the rust because the Nats came up on the short end of the stick in both games, falling 10-4 to Florida and 15-5 to Houston.
As a prospect guy, I always enjoy the split squad games because more often than not I get to see some names familiar to me (and the folks who frequent NFA). The majority of these guys are there to fill out the rosters, but it’s cool to see their names interspersed with guys who are locks on the 25-man roster.
In the loss to the Marlins, Ian Desmond played quite a bit as both a SS and RF. He finished the game 2/3 with a double, run stolen base & RBI. It’s interesting to see him spend time in RF … makes me wonder if the Nats are seriously considering him as a super sub on the major league roster. Justin Maxwell was 0/3 with a run and stolen base as the CF … I still think he’s fighting an uphill battle to win a roster spot in DC. Jerry Owens played RF, finishing 2/3 with a stolen base and RBI & Kevin Mench entered the game late as a LF, finishing 1/2 with a run & RBI … both guys are long shots to break camp on the 25-man roster.
The following minor leaguers also made appearances:
- CA Derek Norris was 0/0 with a pair of walks and a run scored
- 3B Steven Souza was 0/1
- 2B Stephen Lombardozzi was 1/1 with one RBI
- 1B Chris Marrero was 0/0 with a SF
- IF Francisco Soriano was 0/1 as a PH
- RF Michael Burgess was 0/1
- 1B Tyler Moore was 0/1 as a PH
- RHP Luis Atilano was knocked around for four runs on five hits in just one inning of relief
- RHP Josh Wilkie threw 2/3 of a scoreless inning, walking one
In the game with the Astros, Roger Bernadina was 1/2 with a walk and two runs scored … I think he’s the favorite in the battle with Maxwell for that final OF spot. Chris Duncan played 1B, going 0/2 with a run & RBI … I’d imagine he and Mike Morse are battling for the same spot.
Minor leaguers popping up here were:
- SS Danny Espinosa was 0/1
- 2B Seth Bynum, LF Leonard Davis, and RF Mike Daniel were all 0/1
- Josh Whitesell was 2/2 with one RBI as the DH/1B
- CA Jhonathan Solano was 0/1 as the PH
- RHP Drew Storen pitched a scoreless/hitless inning of relief, striking out one
More than anything else, it’s nice to see baseball games back on the agenda.
#1 by Positively Half St. - March 4th, 2010 at 21:21
I agree. It was great. I wish Martis had made a better showing, though. With a limited number of appearances before the winnowing, this game has to hurt.
#2 by RD - March 4th, 2010 at 23:42
Good to see Norris still taking pitches, even at this level. Some guys may get too anxious to prove themselves and abandon their normal approach.
#3 by Sue Dinem - March 5th, 2010 at 09:34
Hmmm. I just noticed that the bulk of the minor-league ST games just happen to coincide with Spring Break for most area schools. What are the odds that “teach” may have noticed this, too?
That buzzing, Brian. It’s a bug in your ear ;-)
#4 by peric - March 5th, 2010 at 12:34
I thought the idea behind spring break was to get away for awhile. You might run into the entire school down in FLA during spring break. Chaperone?
#5 by VladiHondo - March 5th, 2010 at 13:39
If you ARE going down to spring training, it’d be great if you popped by the accelerated camp and check out the DSL boys: Marcos Frias, Eury Perez and Justin Cuevas.
For some reason always been a Glenn Gibson fan, talk with him and see what happened to him last year and his loss of command. Also Danny Rosenbaum seems intriguing.
#6 by Mark - March 5th, 2010 at 13:39
Martin, Mock and Storen starting out well – good to see. But I guess some teams have more rust than others.
#7 by Jeff E. - March 5th, 2010 at 15:13
accelerated camp coincides with first spring training A game? Read nothing more into kids PT or perhaps the one brass has been impressed with? Souza pushing for POT slot? again, vote for harper. power arms can be had with good scouting. give me a good PITCHER for Nat park. We have Roy Clark. nor worries. we are in good hands.
#8 by NOVAHOOSIER - March 5th, 2010 at 18:07
What are Bernadina/Maxwells option situations?
Thanks
#9 by Russ - March 6th, 2010 at 09:28
Which players will the Nats have to protect this year on the 40 man? I am pretty sure Marrero needs to end up on the 40 man this year doesn’t he?
#10 by Sue Dinem - March 6th, 2010 at 09:33
Maxwell and Bernadina both have at least one left, if I’m reading Keith “Mr. Humility” Law right: http://baseballanalysts.com/archives/2006/08/death_taxes_and_1.php