Wood played both CF and RF at a high level in the minors. He played some LF as well, but it was his least occupied position. I am not sure what it is, but he wouldn't be the first player who played a lot of CF and then struggled in left at the major league level, but then excelled again in the other corner.
The corner positions aren’t the same even though the layperson assumes they’re similar. So that makes sense. When I played baseball I was better reading the ball from RF than LF, too. I just had a weak arm.
Feels like LF really dilutes his value. Doesn’t seem like he’ll be a high SLG guy, so he loses value at a less premium position where you’d seek to put SLG.
Joey Wiemer might actually break camp with the Nats because of Young's injury. Once Young is healthy, I really wonder if Wiemer has a place with this club. I would rather Hassell/Franklin/Pinckney be the next man up if the Nats need additional help in the outfield.
Yes. Wiemer has no options so if JY starts the season on the IL, he seems like the most likely candidate. Wiemer is probabbly the 2nd best defender behind Young in CF. A tad bit better than Crews. Careerwise he has shown a bit more with the bat than JY, but thus far in ST has been awful at the plate.
Believe it or not, he actually does have one remaining MiLB Option, according to Fangraphs. Still, I don't know if I'd put him in Rochester where it may already be a crowded outfield
This community of subscribers/commenters is so rewarding to be a part of. The conversation is intelligent, insightful and respectful.
Mark, you obviously set the mood with the style and tone of your writing. I no longer have the WaPo sports section to read first thing in the morning, like I did as a kid, but I now have Nats Journal. Thank you Mark and thank you commenters.
This is probably unthinkable, but is there any chance he starts in AAA to hopefully find some confidence and improve against off speed pitching? One possibility given the surplus OF on this team. Can’t imagine it would happen… but wish he’d had more than 23 ABs in ST.
For sure. Don’t know if sending him to Rochester would allow him to get his confidence back or shatter it further? But it seems very unlikely how could be a competent MLB player in 10’ days?
I think he is not ready to play in Rochester right now (so close to the bigs and overthinking too much). He needs to go to Harrisburg without any pressure.
it seems like those day to day injuries end up being week to week injuries or worse. Last year Crews missed 3 months due to a day to day oblique muscle injury.
Everyone outside the org still seems high on Crews as well; while not the same results we’ve seen during this Spring Training, last season was a flurry of either lasering balls straight at outfielder or catching the Rizzo-hitting regime’s infatuation with the old school “chop down towards the ball,” sending it straight towards the ground. I’m willing to give the whole team leeway this Spring, they’re effectively unlearning a dogma that the rest of the league left behind long ago.
My disappointment has been feed with HIGH draft picks that should be making positive impacts and yet so many have not, the latest is Crews. He is an enigma to have looked so good at the College level and now looks so lost and bad at the plate and just average in the field. With all the new people and the HIGH TECH solve anything equipment it seems his issues are exactly the same as last year. Or should I say the few times I get any visual of his play he looks that same lost player. Somebody must know this is happening right ?
I feel mentally "done" with spring training at this point and ready for the season to start and for the Nats to start to show their stuff. 162 games is a long season and anything is possible. It seems so far that Butera/Toboni have a lot of options on the pitching staff, but as Al and Mark said on Nats Chat this week I hope that this new regime doesn't stay tethered to any pitchers who struggle a la Trevor Williams. Yes, I'm thinking of Mikolas and what he's shown so far -- perhaps today will be better.
Many of us are concerned about the cool bats. History shows that can turn around quickly, so let's hope it does and soon. It seems like the Nats this year have a pitching corps that can limit teams to 2 to 3 or 4 runs over nine innings, so if the Nats can score we have a chance of winning.
I am not sure if anybody commented and I missed it, but the Secret Weapon retired. Every interview I heard him on and every player I heard talk about him showed what an awesome and gracious guy he is. And such an enviable baseball career! I hope he enjoys the next phase of his life.
Crews seems better defensively than Wood. But I guess the idea is that since Wood is so athletic, he can grow into being a solid right-fielder?
To me, it should be Lile in LF, Crews in CF, and Wood in RF.
Wood played both CF and RF at a high level in the minors. He played some LF as well, but it was his least occupied position. I am not sure what it is, but he wouldn't be the first player who played a lot of CF and then struggled in left at the major league level, but then excelled again in the other corner.
The corner positions aren’t the same even though the layperson assumes they’re similar. So that makes sense. When I played baseball I was better reading the ball from RF than LF, too. I just had a weak arm.
I would like:
RF Wood
CF Young
RF Crews
DH Lile
What? No left fielder?
Typo LF Crews
Feels like LF really dilutes his value. Doesn’t seem like he’ll be a high SLG guy, so he loses value at a less premium position where you’d seek to put SLG.
Joey Wiemer might actually break camp with the Nats because of Young's injury. Once Young is healthy, I really wonder if Wiemer has a place with this club. I would rather Hassell/Franklin/Pinckney be the next man up if the Nats need additional help in the outfield.
Had the same thought when I saw today's line up. He's been playing a lot, albeit because of the Young injury.
I'd say a) yes, he could go north with the club, but b) he's not likely to stick.
Yes. Wiemer has no options so if JY starts the season on the IL, he seems like the most likely candidate. Wiemer is probabbly the 2nd best defender behind Young in CF. A tad bit better than Crews. Careerwise he has shown a bit more with the bat than JY, but thus far in ST has been awful at the plate.
Believe it or not, he actually does have one remaining MiLB Option, according to Fangraphs. Still, I don't know if I'd put him in Rochester where it may already be a crowded outfield
Big "yup!" on Franklin. He has had a good ST.
This community of subscribers/commenters is so rewarding to be a part of. The conversation is intelligent, insightful and respectful.
Mark, you obviously set the mood with the style and tone of your writing. I no longer have the WaPo sports section to read first thing in the morning, like I did as a kid, but I now have Nats Journal. Thank you Mark and thank you commenters.
I still really worry about Crews. But for his draft status/college career he would mainly be in the minors.
Yup. The Cards just struck him out on nothing but breaking balls. That is worrisome.
This is probably unthinkable, but is there any chance he starts in AAA to hopefully find some confidence and improve against off speed pitching? One possibility given the surplus OF on this team. Can’t imagine it would happen… but wish he’d had more than 23 ABs in ST.
I think that is going to happen. You're spot on--correct a weakness and build confidence at Rochester.
Just back from a walk. Checked the boxscore. Crews with 3 k's and an error. That's the picture of an athlete who is struggling.
For sure. Don’t know if sending him to Rochester would allow him to get his confidence back or shatter it further? But it seems very unlikely how could be a competent MLB player in 10’ days?
I think he is not ready to play in Rochester right now (so close to the bigs and overthinking too much). He needs to go to Harrisburg without any pressure.
it seems like those day to day injuries end up being week to week injuries or worse. Last year Crews missed 3 months due to a day to day oblique muscle injury.
One of the sneakiest injuries there is in baseball. When you hear oblique, add weeks or months to the initial projections.
Everyone outside the org still seems high on Crews as well; while not the same results we’ve seen during this Spring Training, last season was a flurry of either lasering balls straight at outfielder or catching the Rizzo-hitting regime’s infatuation with the old school “chop down towards the ball,” sending it straight towards the ground. I’m willing to give the whole team leeway this Spring, they’re effectively unlearning a dogma that the rest of the league left behind long ago.
My disappointment has been feed with HIGH draft picks that should be making positive impacts and yet so many have not, the latest is Crews. He is an enigma to have looked so good at the College level and now looks so lost and bad at the plate and just average in the field. With all the new people and the HIGH TECH solve anything equipment it seems his issues are exactly the same as last year. Or should I say the few times I get any visual of his play he looks that same lost player. Somebody must know this is happening right ?
Spencer Nusbaum gave his opinion about several Nats last week on Effectively Wild ( time mark 1:40)
https://youtu.be/6Lr1dh0YyzU?si=a8wkZNTjMf5g95vS
to the commenter who asked a few days ago about Herz, he threw off a mound for the first time as reported by Jessica Camerato on mlb.com
I feel mentally "done" with spring training at this point and ready for the season to start and for the Nats to start to show their stuff. 162 games is a long season and anything is possible. It seems so far that Butera/Toboni have a lot of options on the pitching staff, but as Al and Mark said on Nats Chat this week I hope that this new regime doesn't stay tethered to any pitchers who struggle a la Trevor Williams. Yes, I'm thinking of Mikolas and what he's shown so far -- perhaps today will be better.
Many of us are concerned about the cool bats. History shows that can turn around quickly, so let's hope it does and soon. It seems like the Nats this year have a pitching corps that can limit teams to 2 to 3 or 4 runs over nine innings, so if the Nats can score we have a chance of winning.
Trev makes good moolah for the Nats; Sick Mik not so much
I am not sure if anybody commented and I missed it, but the Secret Weapon retired. Every interview I heard him on and every player I heard talk about him showed what an awesome and gracious guy he is. And such an enviable baseball career! I hope he enjoys the next phase of his life.
I have yet to retire but thank you for the kind words
Curious why Wiemer is still in camp. ST ave. .087 with Franklin, RHIII who seems to be battling for OF spot.
Looks like you de-jinxed him!
Rough 1st inning for Mikolas. 3-0 Redbirds.
I find that almost impossible to believe
A first inning 3 run dinger is not the best way to start a game (unless the Nats hit it).
Microcosm of the spring...Man on in scoring position, Crews strikes out. House works the count full and walks.
Weimer 3-run jack! All tied at 3.