Every year you hear it from all 30 teams: This spring training is different.
Washington Nationals’ fans have been hearing it for five seasons, but in 2011 it may be the truth.
The team is loaded with bona fide major leaguers. There will be no Matt Chicos or Chris Snellings making the team. Garrett Mock, who won the fifth spot in the pitching rotation last spring, won’t sniff it this spring.
For the first time in their brief Washington history, the Nats will actually have to cut a major league-caliber player.
Just take a look at the catcher position, which is absolutely loaded with young talent. Wilson Ramos is 23, Derrick Norris is 22, and Jesus Flores is 27. Ramos is the best defender, Norris is the best hitter, and Flores, if healthy, may be the best overall.
Two of them will not make the team. While that may be bad for them, it is good for the Nationals.
The competition for the fifth spot in the rotation, however, is definitely be the most important.
After the first week of games, it looks to be a two-horse race.
Ross Detwiller, with his new mechanics, has been the best pitcher in camp, and if he can keep this pace, there is no way Jim Riggleman will be able to keep him off the 25 man roster.
Tom Gorzelanny, the odds-on favorite to win the spot coming into camp, has been impressive as well, and it doesn’t seem like he’ll go down with out a fight.
Everywhere you look on the Nationals’ roster, there is competition, which has pushed the players to another level of intensity that the team has not seen since coming to Washington.
I’m telling you, it’s different.
Results
- NYM, W 5-3
- FLA, W 8-4
- @STL, L 5-7
- ATL, L 4-6
- @NYY, W 10-8
- ATL, L 0-5
Player of the Week
Mike Morse: .462/.467/1.00, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 1 BB
Morse’s hot start has put him far ahead of his competition for the starting left field gig.
Most Disappointing Player of the Week
Nyjer Morgan
Morgan cannot continue to play this badly and expect to keep the starting spot in center. With Roger Bernadina off to a good start, Morgan has to be looking in the rear view mirror.
Position Battles
Catcher
Pudge would have to have a historically bad spring in order to not get the starting nod come opening day.
2. Wilson Ramos
In 4 games, Ramos has hit .500 and been solid behind the plate.
3. Jesus Flores
Flores has gotten off to a bad start at the plate, which is to be expected, but it will take a lot from Norris to supplant Flores.
4. Derrick Norris
Norris has lived up to his reputation as a good hitter, hitting .500 with a home run.
Left Field
1. Mike Morse
He has been the best offensive player in camp–maybe the best player.
2. Roger Bernadina
Bernadina looks a new player, and he has gotten off to a good start, but, unfortunately for Roger, Mike Morse is his competition.
3. Rick Ankiel
He did hit a home run, but other than that, he has been a disappointment.
5th Starter
1. Tom Gorzelanny
The only reason he has this spot is because he started in the spot and has done nothing to lose it.
2. Ross Detwiller
I’m a little partial to Detwiller, but he is nipping on Gorzelanny’s heels.
3. Yunesky Maya
The self-proclaimed Cuban kid pitched well in his first outing, building on a good winter league.
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