Nats Links: Pitchers and Catchers report in a week
The beginnings of baseball are almost here. The Washington Nationals pitchers and catchers report to spring training in just one week. Not soon enough for many DC fans. The Washington Redskins season is complete and the Washington Capitals look pretty awful. The Washington Wizards are playing much better baksetball, but far, far from any contention. So, we anxiously await the return of Nats baseball. Who would have though that just two to three years ago. On to some Nats links.
Patrick Reddington writes on the Nationals catching situation.
Mike Rosenbaum ranks the five most underrated prospects in the Nationals system. He lists OF Brandon Miller, P Brett Mooneyham, P Sammy Solis, P Rob Wort, and P Nathan Karns. I disagree a bit on Solis. Not sure Solis is underrated. He is a highly touted prospect that missed last season due to Tommy John surgery. Our weekly minor league reports touted Nathan Karns and Rob Wort all last season. These two pitchers had pretty terrific seasons and Wort has been incredibly consistent in the bullpen throughout the Nats system. He coudl become a main stay in the Nationals bullpen soon.
Finally healthy—but still on a short least—Karns emerged as one of the top stories in the minor leagues during his full-season debut in 2012, as the 25-year-old registered a 2.17 ERA and .174 BAA with 148/47 K/BB in 116 innings between both Class-A levels.
The 6'5" right-hander’s fastball sits 92 to 94 mph with weight, and he uses it to pound the strike zone and get ahead in counts.
30th-round draft pick in 2009, Wort seemingly came out of nowhere last season to post the highest strikeout rate (15.1 K/9) and strikeout percentage (41.3) in the minor leagues. Granted he did it as a 23-year-old while repeating High-A Potomac, but it was nonetheless impressive.
Overall, the 6'2" right-hander registered a 2.38 ERA with 95/19 K/BB in 56.2 innings. After posting a 6.6 BB/9 at the level in 2011, Wort’s improvement to 3.0 BB/9 last season was a huge step in the right direction.
Eric Flynn from our Bloguin partner site wraps up Tyler Clippard for 2012 season.
Mark Zuckerman takes a look at the five players, besdies the big stars, that could be critical for a Nationals World Series run this season.
District Sports page preview the Nationals starters and the Nationals bullpen.
How about a Nats/Orioles World Series in 2013. Find out what some Execs think.
Lee County, Florida wants the Nationals for spring training. However, it could cost them around $36.6 million.
