The defending World Series Champion Washington Nationals will be back doing what they love this week in West Palm Beach, Florida… playing baseball with their teammates and preparing to attempt to win back-to-back titles. Spring Training provides a series of intimate practices and competitive exhibition games as teams prepare for the regular season. Nats manager Davey Martinez aspires to have a couple of questions answered and to finalize some roles of players that are not definite during this time.
To follow are some bold Spring Training predictions for the Nationals:
Carter Keiboom is ready to embrace the starting third base position
Age is nothing but a number and Nationals fans should agree with that statement. Outfielder Juan Soto proved he is already one of the elite hitters in baseball last season. Most importantly, he showed everybody that he isn’t too young for the big stage. He made unprecedented history in Game 1 of the World Series, becoming the fourth player to hit a home run before his 21st birthday.
Pertaining to the Nationals top prospect in Keiboom, he could join Soto on the opening day roster as the third base position became a question mark when Anthony Rendon decided to sign with the Los Angeles Angels in the offseason. Keiboom already has the endorsement from Martinez who said, “We need to fill a void at third base, and we think he’s appropriate.”
It’s safe to say the young phenom will win the job since Keiboom has all the tools to be successful in the majors. He reminds one of the Boston Red Sox Rafael Devers who makes up for his sporadic errors on defense with his bat. He hit .311 with 32 home runs, 54 doubles and 115 runs batted in. He also showed improvement at third where he struggled massively his rookie year. Keiboom has bulked up this offseason gaining 10 more pounds to add to his frame. If Keiboom can hone in on his defense and provide a timely consistent bat, he will show everybody he is mature enough for the big stage.
Sterling Castro was a great signing for the Nats
The veteran journeyman comes to D.C. after inking a two-year, $ 12 million deal this offseason. Castro had a remarkable second half last year, slashing .302/.334/.558 and hitting 16 home runs in less than 14 games. He tweaked his hitting mechanics and was able to increase the trajectory of the balls he hit. According to Statcast, after the All-Star game, he posted a .370 wOBA (Weighted On-Base Average) which calculates what a player’s wOBA would be based on exit velocity and launch angle. With tutelage from hitting coach Kevin Long, he will have a productive season in the nation’s capital. He also provides the flexibility to play multiple positions barring injury and provides leadership in the ballclub. He is a break-out candidate that Washington GM/President Mike Rizzo signed to a bargain deal. Not to mention, he has a chip on his shoulder.
Erick Fedde will win the fifth spot in the pitching rotation.
Martinez knows exactly what his pitching rotation will look like except at his last spot. Even with competition from Austin Voth and Joe Ross, Fedde should be able to fight those two off. The 2014 first-round pick is finally primed for the success that he and management envisioned. In 12 starts last season, he had an earned run average of 4.50, 33 walks and 60 1/3 innings of work as a starter. Fedde will have to have a stout Spring Training and hopes 2020 is the year everything comes together. His unique slider and breaking ball combined with his changeup and cutting fastball is a legit arsenal. He knows what works for him and will be consistent on the mound. His deceptive pitching makeup will be more effective than Voth and Ross and should get the ball every fifth day from Martinez.