Nationals Treasure: A Washington Nationals Dynasty

[AdamJones113]

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[AdamJones113]

Re: Nationals Treasure: A Washington Nationals Dynasty

Reserved: World Series Champions

[AdamJones113]

Re: Nationals Treasure: A Washington Nationals Dynasty

Reserved: Nationals' Hall of Fame

[AdamJones113]

Re: Nationals Treasure: A Washington Nationals Dynasty

Reserved: Nationals' Award Winners

[AdamJones113]

Re: Nationals Treasure: A Washington Nationals Dynasty

Reserved: Nationals' (Successful) Draft Picks

[AdamJones113]

Re: Nationals Treasure: A Washington Nationals Dynasty

Reserved: Nationals' Season-by-Season Records

[AdamJones113]

Re: Nationals Treasure: A Washington Nationals Dynasty

Nationals' Park
Washington D.C

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Opened to the public in 2008, Nationals' Park plays host to the Washington Nationals of the MLB. Duh. It's not called Nationals' Park because it hosts the Philadelphia Phillies. The George Washinton Colonials (that's a university, folks—see MrRudy's Football Dynasty mode for football) were the first team to play there, on March 22, 2008. The Nationals first used the stadium on March 30, 2008 for opening day of that season.
Nationals Park replaced defunct RFK ("Bobby" F. Kennedy) Stadium, where the Nationals had played from 2005 through 2007

The ballpark has 41,418 seats, and they want them filled up. No, really: now that the Nats are good they've increased their attendance substantially. This sportswriterperson can personally attest to the fact that one can see the field from anywhere in the stadium. No joke!

While not as hallowed as Wrigley Field (in Chicago, the one with the ivy you moron) or quirky as Fenway (Big Green Red Sox Boston you noob), Nationals park has its share of not-so-straight angles in the outfield. And its got a jolly big scoreboard so you can see who's batting, if you're blind.

The grass is the nice stripey kind and there's no lane of dirt to the pitcher's mound, a big plus. Also there's a big curly "W" behind home plate, why I can't imagine. Oh right, that's there logo. Nevermind.

Sorry about the "extra" "comments" in this "analytical" story. #YOLO

—Washington Post reporter Zach Joffferr covers the Nationals 10/5, as opposed to 24/7.

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A Nationals official described him as "like a teenager now."



Feel free to, and please do, post

[Nats_fan_Zach]

Re: Nationals Treasure: A Washington Nationals Dynasty

An Analysis of the Depth Chart of the Washington Nationals

Catcher: Wilson Ramos, the Nat's 6-foot Venezuelan catcher, is mostly defensive oriented, but he still has some pop in his bat, hitting .270 in his four years in the league. He was obtained in a deal with Minnesota, who drafted him, which gave the Twins Matt Capps. Although he tore his ACL at the end of last season, he expects to be ready for spring training. One of his most famous accomplishments was being kidnapped while visiting his home country. His major flaw is inconsistency at the plate, as well as injuries (which may be eliminated with this year's new rules!).
1st Base: Adam LaRoche, the Nat's hard hitting, ball bopping, silver slugger winning first baseman, is also the possessor of a gold glove, won in 2012. He is an eleven year veteran, sign by the Nats before the 2011 season. His career stats are .264/.337/.474 with 217 HRs, and last year he hit .237/.332/.403 and 20 HRs, a big decline from 2012 and his 33 HRs. His major flaw, like most power hitters, is strikeouts.
2nd Base: Anthony Rendon, the Nat's mid-season call-up sensation, is a master with the glove. He is most accustomed to the Shortstop and 3rd Base positions, but due to the Nat's infield depth, he is stationed at Second Base instead. He was drafted by the Nats 6th overall in the 2012 draft, and became their top prospect (once Harper was promoted). His major flaw is inconsistency at the plate.
Shortstop: Ian Desmond, a two time silver sluggin' all star shortstop, is a major cog in the machine that is the Nat's infield. He was their first draft pick as the Nationals (and not the Expos). He can hit for power (20 HRs in 2013) and for average (.280 in 2013). He has a solid glove and a strong arm. His major flaw is inconsistency at the plate (I think we're seeing a common theme here).
3rd Base: Ryan Zimmerman, the face of the franchise since its move to Washington, is a consistent batter and solid fielder. His rookie year was 2005, the first year in DC. He is a hometown boy, growing up in VA. He has won Silver sluggers and Gold gloves, and been to numerous all star games. His major flaw is his arm, witch has turned inconsistent due to leg injuries.
Left Fielder: Bryce Harper, the Nat's teenage sensation, can tear it up at the plate and well as having a rocket arm. He was the NL ROY in 2012, and for good reason. Last season he continued his tear, although slowed buy injuries. He's hit 42 HRs in his two seasons, and has a .272 AVG. One of his most famous defensive plays was one hopping home plate from the warning track to prevent a run. His major flaw is his immaturity. This includes not being able to drink locker room champagne, blowing kisses at pitchers, and last but not least running into walls (multiple times). Grow up.
Center Fielder: Denard Span, the Nat's speedy center fielder, is a prototypical lead-off guy. He boosts a .283 career average, as well a stealing 20 bases an smashing 11 triples (1st in the NL) last year. He was acquired before last season to play center field (so Harper didn't have to) and be a lead off guy (which the Nats never really had). He succeed at both of those jobs. His major flaw is power, hitting only four HRs last year.
Right Fielder: Jason Worth, a caveman, is one of the Nat's best batters. Last year, he boasted a .318 AVG with 25 HRs. These are both top 10 statistics in the NL. He was signed to a monster deal before the 2011 season to bring hope to the franchise (before they became good). His major flaw is inconsistency in the field, the reason for being stationed in right.

Tune in again next Sunday, when I'll be posting a look at the starting pitchers. Until then, Go Nats!

[AdamJones113]

Re: Nationals Treasure: A Washington Nationals Dynasty

So that was Nats_fan_Zach, he'll be helping me out with this thread with analysis and stuff.

[AdamJones113]

Re: Nationals Treasure: A Washington Nationals Dynasty

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Nats Will Open Spring Training In Port St. Lucie, FL

Just one more month, one month of 31 exhibition games, and then baseball season will finally be upon us once more. Yippee. Fun.

Anyways, the Nats open with a game against the hapless Mets. Nats manager Matt Williams has indicated that his starters won't be playing, and let's face it, most of the locks won't report till June. That's when the Nats start playing.

Football has Tank and Mean Joe. Baseball has The Human Rain Delay and Charlie Hustle.

Well us'ns here at the Post are going all out and predicting a 21-10 record for the Nats in Spring Training, if Bryce Harper shows up. It's not for sure (#YoloSwag), but one can hope.

Having 162 games a year is 10.125 times as good as having 16.

Will update y'all later on about our predictions and such if I don't take 15 minutes to get the vending machine to work. Maybe I'll have some time then. Maybe.

—Zach Joffferr covers the Nationals for the Washington Post

Best book for a lifetime on a desert island: The Baseball Encyclopedia.

[AdamJones113]

Re: Nationals Treasure: A Washington Nationals Dynasty

Notes From Florida

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• Closer Battle looming this year. Rafael Soriano, Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen are all candidates for a position that's going to be huge.
• Zimmerman has to turn in a big year for this team to be competitive.
• Rendon needs to keep up his play, because Danny Espinosa is waiting in the wings. Some days when Zimmerman takes a rest, we'll shift Rendon to 3rd and Espinosa can play 2nd.
• Ian Desmond, 160-game player this year?
• Bryce Harper, 100-game player this year? Dudes officially out for the first series.
• Loving the rotation depth, and Chien Mien-Wang can step into the rotation if necessary.
• NO LIMIT FOR STRASBURG this year.
• Yolo!

—Zach Joffferr got a lucky vacation in Florida as he covers the Nats for the Washington Post

[Nats_fan_Zach]

Re: Nationals Treasure: A Washington Nationals Dynasty

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Anyways, the Nats open with a game against the hapless Mets. Nats manager Davey Johnson has indicated that his starters won't be playing, and let's face it, most of the locks won't report till June. That's when the Nats start playing.

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FYI, Davey's not the manager anymore, it's Matt Williams.

[AdamJones113]

Re: Nationals Treasure: A Washington Nationals Dynasty

Deep in the backwoods of Washington State, a high school baseball game between the Mt. Clendon HS Warriors and the Everett Bearcats is taking place. Despite being the state semi-final game, the attendance of around 500 grows sparser and sparser as the burnt-orange sun dips behind the trees and out of sight.

The Bearcats lead the game 3-1 in the seventh inning due to, as is the norm, terrific, gutsy pitching from their graduating senior pitcher. He's allowed 3 hits, walked only one man and the Warriors' run was unforced. The Warriors are normally a hard-hitting team, but their rival Everett HS is taking them to town—or the next town east, over 52 miles away.

The lights come on at the picturesque field, shortly after the sun has dropped out of sight. The sun, to Mt. Clendon, represents the Bearcats' pitcher's array of nasty, tailing pitches. The Bearcats take the field in the bottom of the seventh.

Of of the 400 or so remaining spectators—true baseball fanatics—is one man clad in a dark-grey sports jacket. He's still wearing sunglasses after the sun has departed, one of the half-dozen similarly-dressed men, taking notes. Above the breast pocket of his jacket is the insignia of the Washington Nationals.

The man nods along with the claps and cheers of half the spectators as the Bearcats' hurler sends down the Warriors 1-2-3 in the seventh and eighth inning. By the time the bottom of the ninth comes around, Everett has tacked on another run to make it 3 outs short of the state final.

Two outs. Bottom of the ninth. Bases full after a hit, walk and error. Every player's dream situation. A state final on the line. Scouts at the edge of their seat. A normal manager would bring in a fresh arm. But that is out of the mind of Everett's manager. For Josiah Cohen has completed every game this season, and as the deadly strikes whiz one-after-another past the hapless batter, he will complete this one too.

The Nationals' scout leaves impressed. Well worth a 5th round pick.


I'd advise you to read that entire story, even though it a bit long—It's pretty important for the rest of the dynasty.

[AdamJones113]

Re: Nationals Treasure: A Washington Nationals Dynasty

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Nationals' Minor League Affiliates

AAA: Syracuse Chiefs
AA: Harrisburg Senators
A: Hagerstown Suns
We'll be checking on these key parts to the Washington Nationals periodically, maybe playing a AAA or AA game here or there!

(I've actually been to every place in their farm system)

[AdamJones113]

Re: Nationals Treasure: A Washington Nationals Dynasty

The Washington Nationals have released their depth chart for the 2014 season:

Wahington Nationals Depth Chart - 2014

• Catcher
• Wilson Ramos
• J. Solano

• First Base
• Adam LaRoche
• T. Moore

• Second Base
• Anthony Rendon
• D. Espinosa

• Third Base
• Ryan Zimmerman
• A. Rendon

• Shortstop
• Ian Desmond
• D. Espinosa

• Left Field
• Bryce Harper
• N. McLouth
• T. Moore

• Center Field
• Denard Span
• N. McLouth

• Right Field
• Jayson Werth
• J. Kobernus

• Starting Pitcher
• Stephen Strasburg
• Gio Gonzalez
• Jordan Zimmerman
• Doug Fister
• Ross Detwiler
• (Tyler Roark)

• Relief Pitcher
• C. Stammen
• R. Mattheus
• J. Blevins
• R. Ohlendorf
• D. Storen

• Closer
• R. Soriano
• Setup Man: T. Clippard

• Designated Hitter
• (Adam Laroche)