Fien’s senior season was supposedly not as strong as his 2024 summer circuit. Multiple evaluators wrote about whether to rate him based on his summer or senior HS performance. I’m curious then, when did the hand issue start? Does this also mean he was drafted and played hurt last fall when he had 10 games in low A ball?
Hey Mark thanks for these game reports, they’re full of so much great information. I heard some snippet on 106.7 about CJ Abrams trade talk heating up but I don’t know what’s floating around… have you heard anything new?
Seaver King, you mean? I have to imagine a lot of it is on the back of his strong Arizona Fall League campaign, and he should, in theory, be close to the bigs. The only prospect ranker who really likes him is Keith Law, who *really* likes him and thinks he will be an elite defensive shortstop, which is exciting! Keith *also* thinks that our development messed with his hitting, so I think him getting reps in ST will be big for the new regime getting an understanding of him as a player and what they can do, where he’s at, etc
I'm sure Butera wants to play, but this is also the best time in Spring Training for King to get extra reps because the starters aren't playing full games.
I think once they find someone who will take CJ off their hands (for a decent prospect or two) that Nunez will take over at short, and the Nats need to know if King is next in line.
If CJ stays on the team, I would move him to 2d and play Nunez at short for now. CJ is too much of a defensive liability at short (even if he makes a splashy play now and then). In that scenario, you would also want to know sooner rather than later what you have with King.
Moving CJ to second would diminish his trade value as SS is a premium spot and CJ is, in fact, an All Star there. They'd be downgrading their own asset. The return for an All Star SS is significantly higher than that for a potential 2B. Not saying another org won't move him to 2B. But if the Nats do it, they're saying they're ok accepting less in a trade.
Seems unlikely they'd make such a self-inflicted error.
I am kinds interested in the "optionality" angle early in ST. I get the point, but apparently finding my self a little bit Old school as far as everyday players playing the same position almost all the time in the field and in the batting order. Having said that, I am way open to the analytics and theory this staff is talking at this point in ST.
Just me spitballing here, but having both Lile and Wood in the outfield I think may be a big defensive liability. If they're going to do that occasionally, maybe Young in CF would be better? I know he's hurt now, but as good as Crews is defensively, Young is an elite glove, and may better complement that setup.
Being tall does not a first baseman make. It's such a common misconception. Wood has elite speed and people smarter than me think he can be an elite OF. Most Nats fans argued for Soto to go to 1B. 7 years later, it still hasn't happened. First base is a far tougher position than we fans think. The footwork and glove work at 1B are far more important than the reach provided by a tall human. Could Wood play 1B someday? Sure. But not anytime soon.
Woods defense has been making steady improvement after a rough start to the 2025 season. His long strides make it appear that he is not running fast, but he covers a whole lot of ground out there, and showed marked improvement and confidence in his range.
Cavalli needed only 24 pitches to complete 2 scoreless innings. Walked one, struck out one. Fastball averaged 97 mph. It looked like he only threw his curveball and didn't try out his new sweeper, but we'll ask him to confirm when we speak to him in a little while.
Just got back from the clubhouse, where Cavalli said he did indeed throw several sweepers tonight, including on the pitch that struck out Pedro Pages in the top of the second. He was overall quite pleased with how tonight's start went.
The Nats and Cards, meanwhile, are tied 1-1 heading to the bottom of the fourth.
A strong inning of relief for Cole Henry, who retired the side on 14 pitches and recorded back-to-back called third strikes on fastballs that registered 94-95 mph. One of those strike three calls was challenged by the Cardinals' Ramon Martinez. ABS confirmed the pitch was a strike all along.
Two impressive innings from Riley Cornelio, who struck out three with a fastball that averaged 97 mph. He did, however, commit the latest in a string of errors by the Nats pitching staff. All the PFP's in the world apparently can't simulate real game situations. It's 1-1 at the seventh-inning stretch, the two teams combining for three hits so far.
It seems we have some depth in the minors for starters and bullpen. Maybe Toboni wasn’t wrong not acquiring free agents to have the chance to give opportunities to every single man in this org. Good strategy for this year
Fien’s senior season was supposedly not as strong as his 2024 summer circuit. Multiple evaluators wrote about whether to rate him based on his summer or senior HS performance. I’m curious then, when did the hand issue start? Does this also mean he was drafted and played hurt last fall when he had 10 games in low A ball?
I was thinking the same thing.
Hey Mark thanks for these game reports, they’re full of so much great information. I heard some snippet on 106.7 about CJ Abrams trade talk heating up but I don’t know what’s floating around… have you heard anything new?
Really enjoying your column. What’s the story with Siever? Why play him a lot right now during Butera’s first Spring Training as Nat’s manager?
Seaver King, you mean? I have to imagine a lot of it is on the back of his strong Arizona Fall League campaign, and he should, in theory, be close to the bigs. The only prospect ranker who really likes him is Keith Law, who *really* likes him and thinks he will be an elite defensive shortstop, which is exciting! Keith *also* thinks that our development messed with his hitting, so I think him getting reps in ST will be big for the new regime getting an understanding of him as a player and what they can do, where he’s at, etc
I'm sure Butera wants to play, but this is also the best time in Spring Training for King to get extra reps because the starters aren't playing full games.
correction: Seaver King!
I think once they find someone who will take CJ off their hands (for a decent prospect or two) that Nunez will take over at short, and the Nats need to know if King is next in line.
If CJ stays on the team, I would move him to 2d and play Nunez at short for now. CJ is too much of a defensive liability at short (even if he makes a splashy play now and then). In that scenario, you would also want to know sooner rather than later what you have with King.
Moving CJ to second would diminish his trade value as SS is a premium spot and CJ is, in fact, an All Star there. They'd be downgrading their own asset. The return for an All Star SS is significantly higher than that for a potential 2B. Not saying another org won't move him to 2B. But if the Nats do it, they're saying they're ok accepting less in a trade.
Seems unlikely they'd make such a self-inflicted error.
I am kinds interested in the "optionality" angle early in ST. I get the point, but apparently finding my self a little bit Old school as far as everyday players playing the same position almost all the time in the field and in the batting order. Having said that, I am way open to the analytics and theory this staff is talking at this point in ST.
JUICY lineup, yum yum yum
I am intrigued by the idea of Wood in right, Crews in center and Lile in left, in terms of what that could then allow you to do with the DH spot
Just me spitballing here, but having both Lile and Wood in the outfield I think may be a big defensive liability. If they're going to do that occasionally, maybe Young in CF would be better? I know he's hurt now, but as good as Crews is defensively, Young is an elite glove, and may better complement that setup.
Why aren't they putting Wood at first?
Not sure why they would. There are a bunch of guys (4-5) who are vying for that job and they need to compete.
Wood's not going to play first.
Being tall does not a first baseman make. It's such a common misconception. Wood has elite speed and people smarter than me think he can be an elite OF. Most Nats fans argued for Soto to go to 1B. 7 years later, it still hasn't happened. First base is a far tougher position than we fans think. The footwork and glove work at 1B are far more important than the reach provided by a tall human. Could Wood play 1B someday? Sure. But not anytime soon.
Woods defense has been making steady improvement after a rough start to the 2025 season. His long strides make it appear that he is not running fast, but he covers a whole lot of ground out there, and showed marked improvement and confidence in his range.
We are underway on a 61-degree evening, and Cade Cavalli needed only six pitches to complete a 1-2-3 top of the first. Cavalli's fastball hit 97 mph.
I love Nasim!!!!!
Cavalli needed only 24 pitches to complete 2 scoreless innings. Walked one, struck out one. Fastball averaged 97 mph. It looked like he only threw his curveball and didn't try out his new sweeper, but we'll ask him to confirm when we speak to him in a little while.
Great start for Cavalli! Love seeing that!
And nice to see Nasim generating that run in the first.
Encouraging outing, let’s see if he can follow it up in 5 days. I am hopeful.
Has James Wood made contact yet this spring?
Yes.
Just got back from the clubhouse, where Cavalli said he did indeed throw several sweepers tonight, including on the pitch that struck out Pedro Pages in the top of the second. He was overall quite pleased with how tonight's start went.
The Nats and Cards, meanwhile, are tied 1-1 heading to the bottom of the fourth.
I noticed that this site now has over 6000 subscribers congrats Mark
Totally Cool!!! Go Mark!! GO NATS!!!
A strong inning of relief for Cole Henry, who retired the side on 14 pitches and recorded back-to-back called third strikes on fastballs that registered 94-95 mph. One of those strike three calls was challenged by the Cardinals' Ramon Martinez. ABS confirmed the pitch was a strike all along.
98 (!) from Cornelio multiple times per Statcast
With his slider, that’s a “woah”
What’s his slider sitting at?
85-87
Whew 😮💨
Two impressive innings from Riley Cornelio, who struck out three with a fastball that averaged 97 mph. He did, however, commit the latest in a string of errors by the Nats pitching staff. All the PFP's in the world apparently can't simulate real game situations. It's 1-1 at the seventh-inning stretch, the two teams combining for three hits so far.
It seems we have some depth in the minors for starters and bullpen. Maybe Toboni wasn’t wrong not acquiring free agents to have the chance to give opportunities to every single man in this org. Good strategy for this year