To pass the time, here is MiLB.com’s review of the 2008 Nationals season for your reading pleasure.
Not much to quibble with … maybe the classification of Detwiler. I might have pegged him as a “Slippped a Rung” all things being considered.
{ 2008 10 06 }
nattyballfan | 07-Oct-08 at 8:06 am | Permalink
No mention about Wilkie, not once? The guy dominated the Carolina league
Sue Dinem | 07-Oct-08 at 8:47 am | Permalink
Probably because his was a tale of two halves:
1st Half: 1.00 ERA, .224 OBA, 8.00K/9IP
2nd Half: 3.65 ERA, .264 OBA, 4.74K/9IP
Wilkie was definitely dominant in the first half, but by August it looked like the league had figured him out, which you can look up on the Howesportsdata.com website, which lists how players did by each day/appearance.
nattyballfan | 07-Oct-08 at 3:18 pm | Permalink
Well if you add the playoff numbers (1-0, 1 SV, 7 innings pitched, 1 hit, 0 runs, 6 K’s) and a Championship ring of which he contributed greatly to the second half that brings his second half ERA to a 2.90. Not to mention his era was under a 2 the entire year till Burgess botched a fly ball read in the outfield the last game of the regular season to push it over a 2. In either case….if ANYONE else in the entire organization put up these numbers from Rookie Ball all the way up to Trips; first half, second half or both, they would be getting praised as the Nats “Second Coming”. What did this kid do to not get a shred of credit? I’m not saying he should be crowned the nats Top Prospect or even be considered a “prospect”…if ANYONE else in the organization pitches that well in an entire half (ERA @ a 1, All-Star Team Selection, etc…) they are almost guaranteed a promotion of which he was never given and passed up by almost every other pitcher on the staff.
MO Nats Fan | 07-Oct-08 at 5:40 pm | Permalink
Saguaros take the field tonight for their first game in the AFL. I’m curious to see if Detwiler and VanAllen are both in the rotation or if one or both are out of the bullpen. Does anyone have an idea how they usually handle their pitching staffs down there?
Also curious to see what Ian Desmond and do with the bat this fall and how much playing time he gets at SS with Gordon Beckham on the same roster.
Go Saguaros! Thank you for giving us something non-MLB and non-Crow related to think about for a few weeks.
estuartj | 07-Oct-08 at 5:42 pm | Permalink
I’m curious to see what Leonard Davis can do, he had a great year and if he can build on that through the fall and into spring training there might be a roster spot for him come April. He can’t control what the club will do with other personnel, but I think he is a true case of a guy capable of playing himself into, or out of, a job in the next month.
Tom | 07-Oct-08 at 7:48 pm | Permalink
Wouldn’t be surprised if Davis is traded this fall. The team is top heavy with outfielders and Davis’ value is at it highest.
VladiHondo | 07-Oct-08 at 8:14 pm | Permalink
Davis’ role is exactly what Ronnie Belliard did this year. 2b, 3b, Davis can play some OF too.
So unless Ronnie is traded, there’s probably no room for Leonard in DC.
estuartj | 08-Oct-08 at 7:31 am | Permalink
If I had to bet on one player that will be traded this year it’s Ronnie Belliard, he deserves one more shot at a ring and we have more middle infielders than we can us and there’s no place for a 30 something reserve infielder in ‘09.
Frank H | 08-Oct-08 at 7:43 am | Permalink
Neither Davis nor Justin Maxwell have really proven themselves yet above Potomac in A ball , so I’d be very surprised if there were major league roster spots for either to start 2009. Agree Davis is possible trade bait.
I think Nat’s will be planning around having Maxwell playing center field fulltime in Washington by July 2009.
bangzoom | 08-Oct-08 at 10:16 am | Permalink
What’s wrong with Milledge in center? He could go 20-20 as soon as next year…
While I hope Maxwell has a good enough start to 2009 to warrant consideration for a callup, I would hope the Nats would be patient with him. He has to prove he can stay healthy. On the other hand, I understand his age might work in his favor with the Nats wanting to fast-track him.
It would be nice if it was a Bernadina-type situation where he has a good start at Double-A, comes up to MLB as an injury replacement, goes back to Triple-A to work on some things until September then comes back full-time. The reason I say that is, he HAS to play every day wherever he goes (not sit the bench), since he’s lost so many development opportunities due to injuries over the past few years. I’m fairly certain he’s at instructs right now. Instructs help, but those pitchers are usually a long way from AA or AAA pitching.
He’s played all the outfield spots in the minors, but his throwing arm was not good in 2008… to me, that eliminates him from right field.
Frank H | 08-Oct-08 at 12:44 pm | Permalink
Personally, I don’t have a problem with Milledge in center if he can learn to play the position, but from numerous quotes and speculation I’ve read originating close to Nat’s mgmt, it appears they have lost patience and will be moving him to left or right field. I think left is more likely if Dukes remains in a starting position. I’m guessing Acta still supports him for center, and recently Devon White, their roving outfield instructor, preached patience but the strings appear to be pulled from higher up.
Absolutely agree Maxwell needs to play everyday where ever is end up, and also that his age means he’ll be fast-tracked.
With the outfield crowded, there’s only room out there if they do something with Austin Kearns … what do you think the Nat’s will do with him and his $8M contract?