Dylan Crews batting ninth, I won’t extrapolate anything from that, nope, not at all.
In all seriousness, I lean towards agreeing with what was said on the podcast. I wish we had more data on his batted ball this Spring, but he’s been trying to force results from the start of the exhibition. Really it all could be up in the air how he does to start the season (I’m going to side towards “slow start”), this spring has given us little to nothing on how the new regime has changed his approach.
You don’t need to be a lip reader to know what he very clearly said aloud after his second groundout in the Mets game Monday. He’s looked overly frustrated at himself, and who can blame him when Wood and Lile have started to pick up steam and he has not come close to his draft day expectations. It is a reminder of what the early Gore days looked like, when he’d slam his glove to his leg and have his small outbursts of frustration: a clear overachiever on public display who tends to beat themselves up when things go wrong. Hopefully, with all the advancements in the sport (and this organization) around technology and data, there’s equal care being put to consulting professionals when it comes to mental health.
It is first time in his life when baseball wasn't easy for him, and while I think he is trying to grow he is struggling with how to successfully grow through acts of failure.
Dylan Crews' Fangaphs page has a lot of data about his batted balls and swing decisions. The short version: he is chasing pitches, making softer contact, and is also swinging and missing more this spring than in 2025 despite drawing more walks. (Insert obvious small sample warning here.)
For my part, though, I think it's reductive to classify him as beating himself up and a classic overachiever just based on one time seeing him get frustrated on-camera. I've known plenty of steady-tempered people who say that curse word they know when something goes wrong and then they calm down and get to work.
Mark shared on the earlier article thread: "I was actually just told this morning it could literally be OPENING DAY MORNING before an official announcement is made about cable/satellite providers. I know, I know. But this is an MLB issue, not a Nats issue. And it's the case in multiple cities making the switch this season."
Now this feels like baseball. I think in the regular season lineup Young is 9th, Crews is 7th and CJ and/or Luis move higher up in the batting order. It will be fun to watch how Toboni and Butera approach this during the dseason.
An erratic first inning for Zack Littell. He allowed two well-struck singles. He issued a leadoff walk. He hit a batter. He also struck out two (each on splitters) and emerged with only one run across the plate while throwing 24 pitches (14 strikes).
Littell wasn't sharp today and got pulled after throwing 59 pitches in only 2 2/3 innings. Walked four batters, which is highly uncharacteristic for a guy who normally has one of the lowest walk rates in baseball. Will be curious to see how the Nats handle him now, with little time before the opener. He can't pitch in another official exhibition game, because his next turn would come after the finale against the Orioles.
He’s not a top-line, blue-chip starter, so there are days when he’s going to struggle. It’s also only his second game facing live hitters. Not concerned at all.
They actually brought him back out to start the fourth inning (which is allowed in spring training) and he proceeded to issue another walk (his fifth of the day) before getting pulled for good with his final pitch count up to 64 (only 32 strikes).
Yes. While his BAPIP and Slugging are insanely high and unsustainable, the number one take away for House is he is more selective about what he swings at. When he gets something he can do damage on he hits it hard. I still expect him to strike out a lot, but we should see a lot more quality contact when he doesn't.
Mark, I can't thank you enough for starting Nats Journal. Even if the Washington Post sports page still existed, I would still subscribe to this wonderful Substack. You provide great coverage and insight into the Nationals. And thanks to all the great comments. I learn quite a bit from my fellow Nats' fans.
I think Wiemer has probably started making enough contact in the last week in a half to overtake Franklin (who has more options) for that final bench spot.
Not too much to get excited about the Nats' 5-1 loss today. At the plate, they didn't do much, scoring their lone run on Keibert Ruiz's groundout in the second. After Littell struggled to find the plate during his 2 2/3 innings, Brad Lord did toss three scoreless innings of relief on only 36 pitches. But Drew Smith put three runners on base in the seventh and Cole Henry surrendered a two-run homer in the eighth.
Stay tuned for the Spring Breakout game, which begins at 4:30 p..m.
Dylan Crews batting ninth, I won’t extrapolate anything from that, nope, not at all.
In all seriousness, I lean towards agreeing with what was said on the podcast. I wish we had more data on his batted ball this Spring, but he’s been trying to force results from the start of the exhibition. Really it all could be up in the air how he does to start the season (I’m going to side towards “slow start”), this spring has given us little to nothing on how the new regime has changed his approach.
You don’t need to be a lip reader to know what he very clearly said aloud after his second groundout in the Mets game Monday. He’s looked overly frustrated at himself, and who can blame him when Wood and Lile have started to pick up steam and he has not come close to his draft day expectations. It is a reminder of what the early Gore days looked like, when he’d slam his glove to his leg and have his small outbursts of frustration: a clear overachiever on public display who tends to beat themselves up when things go wrong. Hopefully, with all the advancements in the sport (and this organization) around technology and data, there’s equal care being put to consulting professionals when it comes to mental health.
It is first time in his life when baseball wasn't easy for him, and while I think he is trying to grow he is struggling with how to successfully grow through acts of failure.
Dylan Crews' Fangaphs page has a lot of data about his batted balls and swing decisions. The short version: he is chasing pitches, making softer contact, and is also swinging and missing more this spring than in 2025 despite drawing more walks. (Insert obvious small sample warning here.)
For my part, though, I think it's reductive to classify him as beating himself up and a classic overachiever just based on one time seeing him get frustrated on-camera. I've known plenty of steady-tempered people who say that curse word they know when something goes wrong and then they calm down and get to work.
I would like it if he would pull a Harper and smacked his bat and broke it at least I would know he is involved
What about the home TV situation?
Mark shared on the earlier article thread: "I was actually just told this morning it could literally be OPENING DAY MORNING before an official announcement is made about cable/satellite providers. I know, I know. But this is an MLB issue, not a Nats issue. And it's the case in multiple cities making the switch this season."
Now this feels like baseball. I think in the regular season lineup Young is 9th, Crews is 7th and CJ and/or Luis move higher up in the batting order. It will be fun to watch how Toboni and Butera approach this during the dseason.
Yeah, I don’t think this lineup means a thing. Butera is likely trying different combinations/slots in the order.
Feast or Famine! Littell strikes out 2, a ground ball out around a walk, 2 singles and a HBP.
An erratic first inning for Zack Littell. He allowed two well-struck singles. He issued a leadoff walk. He hit a batter. He also struck out two (each on splitters) and emerged with only one run across the plate while throwing 24 pitches (14 strikes).
Littell walking the leadoff hitter in three consecutive innings is not a good way to go. And then Ouch!
Painful
Very uncharacteristic walks for Littell today
Littell wasn't sharp today and got pulled after throwing 59 pitches in only 2 2/3 innings. Walked four batters, which is highly uncharacteristic for a guy who normally has one of the lowest walk rates in baseball. Will be curious to see how the Nats handle him now, with little time before the opener. He can't pitch in another official exhibition game, because his next turn would come after the finale against the Orioles.
He’s not a top-line, blue-chip starter, so there are days when he’s going to struggle. It’s also only his second game facing live hitters. Not concerned at all.
They actually brought him back out to start the fourth inning (which is allowed in spring training) and he proceeded to issue another walk (his fifth of the day) before getting pulled for good with his final pitch count up to 64 (only 32 strikes).
Funny we went thru pitchers last year the only FA signings and all were GONE by June
two more very hard hit balls for House today
Yes. While his BAPIP and Slugging are insanely high and unsustainable, the number one take away for House is he is more selective about what he swings at. When he gets something he can do damage on he hits it hard. I still expect him to strike out a lot, but we should see a lot more quality contact when he doesn't.
A bit like Luis "Never Met A Fastball He Didn't Like" Garcia.
Well Lord keeps getting it done
Mark, I can't thank you enough for starting Nats Journal. Even if the Washington Post sports page still existed, I would still subscribe to this wonderful Substack. You provide great coverage and insight into the Nationals. And thanks to all the great comments. I learn quite a bit from my fellow Nats' fans.
ABS Watch:
Ruiz had two challenges. Won one, lost one. Weimer was successful on his challenge.
I think around 50% is the going success rate, around the league.
Right. I read recently somewhere that the aggregate challenge success rate in the minors the last few years is ~ 51%.
I think Wiemer has probably started making enough contact in the last week in a half to overtake Franklin (who has more options) for that final bench spot.
Not too much to get excited about the Nats' 5-1 loss today. At the plate, they didn't do much, scoring their lone run on Keibert Ruiz's groundout in the second. After Littell struggled to find the plate during his 2 2/3 innings, Brad Lord did toss three scoreless innings of relief on only 36 pitches. But Drew Smith put three runners on base in the seventh and Cole Henry surrendered a two-run homer in the eighth.
Stay tuned for the Spring Breakout game, which begins at 4:30 p..m.
1-0 Nats in the Spring Breakout game. Willits puts on a clinic on the bases.