So, BA issued an “update” to its top 30 prospect lists for teams this week.
See https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/1012/washington-nationals/organizational/ for our “new” list.
per BA’s site, this update is… “With the minor league season beginning, we have updated our Top 30 prospect rankings for every major league club. These new rankings now include international players from the current signing class that opened on Jan. 15, with additional player movement based on new looks, information and injuries.”
BA continues to ignore MLB service time and keeps including prospects who have not hit AB/IP thresholds even though they’ve sat on the active roster long enough to exhaust rookie eligibility .. which means that they’ve kept in particular Keibert Ruiz and Riley Adams eligible, as literally no other shop has done.
So what changed between this ranking and the last one (to which I reacted here?).
- They added Jan 2022 IFA signing Cristian Vaquero at #5.
- ….. and thats it.
No adjustments for Antuna moving to the outfield, for Lile being out for the season, for Adon making the MLB rotation, nothing else.
So, pretty much a nothing burger of an update. But, thought i’d put a placeholder here to talk about the starts we’re seeing with the MLB club through the first week.
Talking about hitters:
- Good, as expected: Soto, Bell, Ruiz
- Good, unexpectedly: Franco, YHernandez (has he now won a starting job?)
- Bad, as expected: Robles (why is he still in the majors?), Escobar
- Bad, unexpectedly: Cruz, Thomas
Robles starts the season 0-17 and necessitates the callup of prospect OF Casey. Lane Thomas hasn’t been much better. But maybe we should just frigging play Yadiel Hernandez until he stops hitting? I mean, the dude hit last year, he’s hitting this year … why not just play the guy?
Pitchers? Phew, hide your eyes.
- Good, as expected: … i’m not sure anyone is living up to their expectations. Rainey maybe? Arano. Fedde maybe.
- Good, unexpectedly: Rogers, Doolittle
- Bad, as expected: Corbin, ASanchez (by going straight to the DL), Adon, Voth
- Bad, unexpectedly: not sure anyone qualifies here.
Lets be honest, i went into this season looking at this pitching staff with very little expectation. Our opening day rotation consisted of
- a 9-figure contract debacle who hasn’t performed in 2 years in Corbin.
- A option-less 5+ ERA starter who should have been non-tendered last offseason in Fedde
- a rookie who has been all hype and no performance as of yet in Grey
- Another rookie with one MLB start who had, frankly, uninspiring 2021 MILB numbers and who should be in AAA in Adon
- A frigging NRI has-been who I can’t believe they took over Rogers or Espino in Anibel Sanchez.
What have see seen so far? Adon: shelled in 2 starts. Corbin? Shelled in 2 starts. Sanchez? hurt before he makes a start … and then lo and behold Rogers comes up and gives the Nats their best start so far (shocker!). Grey? Surprisingly decent so far. And Fedde? Shocker he was effective in his first start. Lets see how long that lasts.
Honestly, i’m shocked we’re 3-5 right now with a team ERA right now of 5.91. 5.91 isn’t getting the donuts made.
Long season ahead.