Complete Washington Nationals 2015 Spring Training Preview
Entering their 10th anniversary season, the Washington Nationals have completed the transformation from perennial bottom-feeders to one of the most feared units in baseball, but before the team makes its supposed march to the World Series, it will convene in Viera, Florida, for spring training.
The 2014 season ended in bitter disappointment for the Nationals. Washington was shut down in the National League Division Series by the San Francisco Giants, and the Nats' league-best regular-season record amounted to an unceremonious 3-1 series defeat.
Following that postseason exit, Washington had a short but seemingly important to-do list. General manager Mike Rizzo essentially set that on fire.
Conventional wisdom urged the Nationals to work out contract extensions—or even trades—for some combination of Jordan Zimmermann, Doug Fister and Ian Desmond before they all hit free agency after the coming season.
Instead, Washington pushed all its chips to the center of the table for 2015 by keeping those three expiring contracts on the payroll without resolution.
And if it that didn't make it clear the Nationals were all-in this season, they eliminated any doubt when they gave free-agent starter Max Scherzer $210 million.
The 2015 Nationals aren't all that different from the 2014 installment in terms of personnel. Spring training will be our first chance to see the group that's now billed as a superteam following those calculated offseason dealings.
Washington's pitchers and catchers report Feb. 19, followed by position players on Feb. 24.
This preview contains the updates and storylines you need to know as those dates arrive and we inch closer and closer to Opening Day 2015.
Offseason Recap
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| Key Additions | 2014 Team |
|---|---|
| SP Max Scherzer | Detroit Tigers |
| 2B Yunel Escobar | Tampa Bay Rays |
| RP Casey Janssen | Toronto Blue Jays |
| C Dan Butler | Boston Red Sox |
Notable Minor League Free-Agent Signings with Invites to Spring Training
2B Dan Uggla, RP Heath Bell, 1B Mike Carp
Analysis
The Nationals opted for quality over quantity with their acquisitions this winter.
An offseason that was, for almost four months, annoyingly quiet yielded a crop of new players who addressed all of Washington's needs and then some.
The trade that brought in Yunel Escobar took care of the Nationals' glaring weakness at second base. The late signing of Casey Janssen added depth to a bullpen that saw more turnover than any other position group.
But if you bring up the Washington Nationals' offseason to a semi-invested baseball fan, your conversation would likely start with 2013 American League Cy Young winner Max Scherzer.
Scherzer rounded out the all-star team of a starting rotation Washington now has at its disposal, and he was the match that lit the fuse attached to the hype bomb that is the 2015 Nationals.
| Key Losses | 2015 Team |
| 1B Adam LaRoche | Chicago White Sox |
| RP Tyler Clippard | Oakland Athletics |
| 2B Asdrubal Cabrera | Tampa Bay Rays |
| RP Rafael Soriano | Free Agent |
| RP Ross Detwiler | Texas Rangers |
| OF Steven Souza | Tampa Bay Rays |
Analysis
Washington made some decisions this offseason that were as painful as they were necessary.
Tyler Clippard, who had been with the team since 2008, and Adam LaRoche, who came to D.C. in 2011, both grew into fan favorites in their time as Nationals. But Clippard and LaRoche are both out, along with fellow MLB veterans Rafael Soriano and Asdrubal Cabrera.
Despite some obsolete No. 36 and No. 25 jerseys at Nats Park this summer, everything Washington lost this offseason it gained back in terms of prospects or flexibility on the big league roster.
Injury Updates Entering Camp
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OF Jayson Werth
Unlike the bulk of the 2014 regular season, the Nationals are healthy heading into spring training. The only exception is Jayson Werth, who underwent shoulder surgery last month.
The procedure carries a two- to three-month recovery time, so Werth won't be a participant in most of spring training, if any of it. But Werth's plan is to be in left field for Washington in the first game of the season.
"My goal is Opening Day," Werth said, via James Wagner of The Washington Post (h/t CBSSports.com's Michael Hurcomb). "I'm going to try to be back as soon as I can without doing something stupid."
OF Nate McLouth
Washington's first outfielder off the bench, Nate McLouth underwent a shoulder surgery of his own in August that ended his 2014 season. But the timetable is long enough that he should be good to go by spring training.
Coaching Staff Analysis
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| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Matt Williams | Manager |
| Rick Schu | Batting Coach |
| Steve McCatty | Pitching Coach |
| Tony Tarasco | First Base Coach |
| Bob Henley | Third Base Coach |
| Randy Knorr | Bench Coach |
| Matthew LeCroy | Bullpen Coach |
| Mark Weidemaier | Defensive Coordinator and Advance Coach |
| Spin Williams | Senior Baseball Advisor |
Analysis
Matt Williams took over for a retiring Davey Johnson as Washington's manager after the Nats ended a disappointing 2013 without a playoff berth.
In 2014, his first season at the helm, all Williams did was earn the NL Manager of the Year award. The last time a first-year manager in either league claimed that honor was 2006.
In Williams' second campaign in D.C., his supporting cast is largely unchanged. Batting coach Rick Schu and pitching coach Steve McCatty both return for their fifth and sixth season with the Nationals, respectively.
The newcomers are former Montreal Expo Bob Henley and 34-year pro baseball veteran Mark Weidemaier.
While he's not listed as a coach, another new staff member is former Cardinal, Royal, Brave, Astro, Met and National—Rick Ankiel. He'll take Washington's minor leaguers under his wing as the team's "life skills coordinator."
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Lineup Preview
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Projected Starting Lineup
| Player | 2014 Stats |
|---|---|
| 1. CF Denard Span | 147 G, .302 AVG, 184 H, 5 HR, 37 RBI |
| 2. 2B Anthony Rendon | 153 G, .287 AVG, 176 H, 21 HR, 83 RBI |
| 3. LF Jayson Werth | 147 G, .292 AVG, 156 H, 16 HR, 82 RBI |
| 4. RF Bryce Harper | 100 G, .273 AVG, 96 H, 13 HR, 32 RBI |
| 5. 1B Ryan Zimmerman | 61 G, .280 AVG, 60 H, 5 HR, 38 RBI |
| 6. SS Ian Desmond | 154 G, .255 AVG, 151 H, 24 HR, 91 RBI |
| 7. C Wilson Ramos | 88 G, .267 AVG, 91 H, 11 HR, 47 RBI |
| 8. 2B Yunel Escobar | 137 G, .258 AVG, 123 H, 7 HR, 39 RBI |
Projected Bench
- C Jose Lobaton
- 2B/SS Danny Espinosa
- 1B/3B Kevin Frandsen
- 1B/OF Mike Carp
- OF Nate McLouth
Analysis
At times last season, the Nationals looked like they forgot how to score runs.
Injuries were partially to blame for that lack of production, with Ryan Zimmerman, Bryce Harper and Wilson Ramos all missing significant time at various points in the season.
But Washington will trot out the exact same starting lineup as it did last Opening Day aside from the addition of Yunel Escobar in place of Adam LaRoche.
The Nationals will rely on health, consistency and Harper to cure their offensive woes from a year ago. For the player who is supposed to be Washington's star, Harper's 2014 was largely a disappointment.
Anthony Rendon and Ian Desmond, both Silver Slugger winners last season, are reliable sources of hitting. Denard Span is coming off a year in which he registered a team-record 184 hits. Ryan Zimmerman has made a career out of clutch batting exactly when his team needs it.
With all those components healthy, Harper's bat looks like the missing piece that could make up a potent Washington offense.
Rotation Preview
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Projected Rotation
| Player | 2014 Stats |
|---|---|
| RHP Stephen Strasburg | 34 GS, 14 W, 3.14 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 242 SO, 215 IP |
| RHP Max Scherzer | 33 GS, 18 W, 3.15 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 252 SO, 220.1 IP |
| RHP Jordan Zimmermann | 32 GS, 14 W, 2.66 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 182 SO, 199.2 IP |
| RHP Doug Fister | 25 GS, 16 W, 2.41 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 98 SO, 164 IP |
| LHP Gio Gonzalez | 27 GS, 10 W, 3.57 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 162 SO, 158.2 IP |
*Stats courtesy of MLB.com
Emergency Starting Option: RHP Tanner Roark
Analysis
Spring training is less than a week away, and Washington's five-headed flame-throwing beast of a rotation is still intact.
Max Scherzer is settled into his new home in D.C., and Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister have not been traded despite persistent speculation. All signs point to a historically dominant season of pitching for the Nationals.
The only issue that could arise for Washington is the rotation's lack of left-handed pitching. Gio Gonzalez, penciled in as the fifth starter, is the only lefty in the group. But with the depth and talent of the Nationals' righties, the problem can hardly be considered pressing.
And to make matters worse for Washington's opponents, the rotation's average age of just over 28 years old suggests the group won't be over the hill for a while if it manages to stay together beyond this year.
Bullpen Preview
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Projected Bullpen
| Player | 2014 Stats |
| RHP Drew Storen (closer) | 65 G, 11 SV, 1.12 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 46 SO, 56.1 IP |
| RHP Craig Stammen | 49 G, 0 SV, 3.84 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 56 SO, 72.2 IP |
| RHP Casey Janssen | 50 G, 25 SV, 3.94 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 28 SO, 45.2 IP |
| LHP Jerry Blevins | 64 G, 0 SV, 4.87 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 66 SO, 57.1 IP |
| LHP Matt Thornton | 64 G, 0 SV, 1.75 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 28 SO, 36 IP |
| RHP Aaron Barrett | 50 G, 0 SV, 2.66 ERA, 1.3 WHIP, 49 SO, 40.2 IP |
| RHP Tanner Roark† | 31 G, 15 W, 2.85 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 138 SO, 198.2 IP |
*Stats courtesy of MLB.com
†Stats as starter
Other Bullpen Options
- RHP Heath Bell
- LHP Xavier Cedeno
- RHP Blake Treinen
Analysis
Washington's bullpen was the most affected position group in an offseason where moves came few and far between.
But, as was the case at the end of last season, Drew Storen is still the Nationals' closer of the future.
Tyler Clippard can no longer contend for the job in Washington on account of his roster spot in Oakland, and Rafael Soriano is long gone after the Nats declined his option in October.
The mound belongs to Storen in the ninth inning until further notice.
But veteran signing Casey Janssen is a viable contingency plan in case of emergency.
The Washington Post's James Wagner described Janssen's role as "a setup man to Drew Storen and backup closer."
Another wild card in the Nationals' bullpen is 2014 starter Tanner Roark. With the five established hurlers in front of him in the rotation, chances are Roark will head to the bullpen where he spent Washington's one postseason series last year.
Prospects to Watch
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OF Michael A. Taylor, No. 2 Prospect (ETA 2015)
Michael A. Taylor is the heir apparent to Denard Span in center field, and the 23-year-old got his first taste of the majors in preparation for that time last season. Taylor hit just .205 in 39 at-bats in 2015, although he did manage to knock out a home run. But his value is primarily as a center fielder and a baserunner due to his speed. Taylor has an outside chance to make the Opening Day roster, but he'll most likely be called up in the event of injuries this season.
RHP A.J. Cole, No. 6 Prospect (ETA late 2015)
A.J. Cole tore through the Triple-A level in his 11 starts with the Syracuse Chiefs last season. The 23-year-old earned seven wins and struck out 50 batters while putting together a 3.43 ERA. But because of Washington's crowded rotation, Cole may have to wait until September for his big league debut.
SS/2B Wilmer Difo, No. 7 Prospect (ETA late 2015)
Washington could be looking for Ian Desmond's replacement at shortstop soon, and Wilmer Difo makes a strong case for consideration. He spent last season in Single-A Hagerstown, where he hit .315 with 14 homers and 90 RBI. A 22-year-old Dominican Republic native, Difo is another prospect who might get his feet wet in the majors near the end of the season.
Breakout Candidates
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RP Aaron Barrett
Aaron Barrett made his major league debut last season after just 10 games in Triple-A, and in his 50 appearances with the Nationals he more than earned his keep.
But despite his 2.66 ERA and 49 strikeouts, Barrett's season will be remembered for the bases-loaded wild pitch that eliminated Washington from the playoffs.
At 27 years old, Barrett still has room to grow after a disaster in his first experience with the postseason. And with the relative uncertainty in the Nats bullpen this season, he'll have opportunities to prove himself all over again.
SP/RP Tanner Roark
To preface this, Tanner Roark already had a breakout season last year. His 2.85 ERA and 138 strikeouts in 15 wins certainly qualify. But those numbers came as a starter, and he'll have to carve out a new role for himself again in 2015.
His stats as a reliever in the 2014 postseason aren't eye-popping. But a 3.38 ERA against the seven batters he faced is explainable after he spent all season at a different position.
Given the opportunity, Roark has the ability to take people by surprise for a second season in a row.
Bryce Harper
Three years into the Bryce Harper experiment, it's hard to believe we're still talking about a breakout season in the works. He had the lowest numbers of his career last year in terms of hits, home runs and OPS, but the 62 games he missed deserve much of the blame.
He's still just 22 years old, however, and he's coming off the series of his life against San Francisco in the playoffs.
Harper still has the violent swing that can send a ball flying 500 feet in the other direction on any given pitch. And as long as he doesn't send himself violently flying into outfield walls, we could be looking at Harper's best season as a pro.
Position Battle Predictions
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No. 1 Starter: Max Scherzer vs. Stephen Strasburg vs. Jordan Zimmermann
There are upwards of 20 teams in Major League Baseball where any one of these three would be the top starter. But Washington is a unique case, and two of these aces have to watch from the bench on Opening Day.
In Max Scherzer's corner are his 2013 AL Cy Young Award and 252 strikeouts from a year ago. In Stephen Strasburg's corner are the three consecutive Opening Days he's started for Washington. And in Jordan Zimmermann's corner are his season-ending no-hitter and fifth-place finish in the NL Cy Young race last year.
The least controversial route to go is Strasburg, and that's the one Matt Williams will end up taking.
Strasburg is beloved in D.C., and it isn't worth the blow to his ego and the psyche of the town to demote him in favor of the new signing, however Scherzer-ish the new signing is.
Prediction: Stephen Strasburg
Last Bench Spot: Mike Carp vs. Tyler Moore vs. Dan Uggla
Danny Espinosa, Kevin Frandsen, Jose Lobaton and Nate McLouth have four seats on the bench reserved. The fifth is up for grabs heading into spring training.
Each of the following players has a unique claim to the spot.
Mike Carp has valuable versatility at first base and the outfield—both spots could be impacted by injuries this year. Tyler Moore has played 40 or more games in each of the last three seasons for Washington, and his bat brings a good bit of potential pop. And Dan Uggla was arguably the best second baseman in baseball for a time, but his nosedive in production has relegated him to three different teams in the last seven or so months.
If Uggla proves he's turned a corner in spring training, it's a whole different story.
But with Washington's lack of depth at first and in the outfield, Carp makes the best case to win an Opening Day roster spot.
Prediction: Mike Carp
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