2005 Starting Lineup
Ladies and gentlemen, your 2005 Montre... er, Washington Nationals... Statistics listed include: batting average, on-base average, slugging percentage, home runs, runs batted in, stolen bases and games played.
Brian Schneider, C, 28
2004: .257 .325 .399 12 49 0 135
Since taking over the No. 1 catcher role from Michael Barrett, who is now with the Chicago Cubs, Schneider has played solid ball, both behind the plate and at it. With his overall package, including solid power, Schneider is one of the better backstops in the league.
Nick Johnson, 1B, 26
2004: .251 .359 .398 7 33 6 73
If he could stay healthy, Johnson would hungrily sought after by every Moneyball general manager in the game. He has a .372 career on base average but his big problem in staying healthy. In his three full years in the majors, Johnson has not played a full, healthy season. Johnson also currently displays below average first baseman power production, which could change with a healthy season or two.
Jose Vidro, 2B, 30
2004: .294 .367 .454 14 60 3 110
Vidro is probably the most consistent hitter on the Nationals. He is also the best paid hitter on the team and is probably a little overpaid, although who can tell in this volatile market? He can swing the stick (he has a career average of .304) and possess above-average power for a second baseman, although his slugging percentage has dropped each of the last three seasons, which could be partly blamed on the Expos’ tiring travel schedules. Vidro could be in line for a big season.
Vinny Castilla, 3B, 37
2004: .271 .332 .535 35 131 0 148
Even at 37, Castilla is arguably the second best defensive third baseman in the league, next to Philadelphia’s Scott Rolen. Last season Castilla hit 35 home runs and drove in 131 runs while playing in the thin air in Colorado. However, in this two previous seasons in Atlanta, Castilla only averaged 17 home runs a season. General manager Jim Bowden signed Castilla to a pricey two-year contract so it will be interesting to see how he fairs in the twilight of his career.
Christian Guzman, SS, 27
2004: .274 .309 .384 8 46 10 145
Like Castilla, Guzman was signed in the off season to a lucrative contract. However, Guzman’s contact is for four seasons and he is only 27 years old. Guzman plays a good shortstop and hits for an OK average but he seems adverse to taking a walk and he hits with little or no power, save for some triples. Guzman is also young enough that he could still improve with the bat, but for that to happen, he will likely have to take more pitches and be more selective.
Terrmel Sledge, LF, 28
2004: .269 .336 .462 15 62 3 133
Sledge is probably the only player in the projected starting lineup to not be guaranteed a spot. The Nationals have a number of outfielders on their 40-man roster with potential, including J.J. Davis, Ryan Church, Carlton (Tyrell) Godwin, Tony Blanco and to a lesser extent Endy Chavez. Both Blanco and Chavez are Rule 5 picks who must stick the whole season on the 40-man roster or be offered back to their original teams (Toronto and Cincinnati). Sledge had a solid rookie season though and has an interesting combination of power and speed, although he has not run much in the past three seasons.
Brad Wilkerson, CF, 27
2004: .255 .374 .498 32 67 13 160
Wilkerson is a solid fielding outfielder who can also play first base. He is probably better suited for a corner outfield position, but he can play an average centerfield. Wilkerson possesses the potential to hit 30-plus home runs but at this point he is still struggling to make consistent contact, as seen in his 152 strikeouts. He isn’t your prototypical all or nothing slugger, though, and he knows how to get on base; he walked 106 times last season.
Jose Guillen, RF, 29
2004: .294 .352 .497 27 104 5 148
Guillen is a volatile personality but there is no doubt he is a talented player. He is probably the only Nat who could easily hit 30 home runs and drive in 100 runs. Guillen is the epitome of the high risk, high reward player. The worst thing to happen to Guillen in his career was when the Pittsburgh Pirates jumped him from single-A to the major leagues and gave him a full-time outfield gig. He did not have the time to mature in the minors or develop a solid approach at the plate. Over the years, Guillen has matured as a hitter, although he is still too aggressive for his own good.
Brian Schneider, C, 28
2004: .257 .325 .399 12 49 0 135
Since taking over the No. 1 catcher role from Michael Barrett, who is now with the Chicago Cubs, Schneider has played solid ball, both behind the plate and at it. With his overall package, including solid power, Schneider is one of the better backstops in the league.
Nick Johnson, 1B, 26
2004: .251 .359 .398 7 33 6 73
If he could stay healthy, Johnson would hungrily sought after by every Moneyball general manager in the game. He has a .372 career on base average but his big problem in staying healthy. In his three full years in the majors, Johnson has not played a full, healthy season. Johnson also currently displays below average first baseman power production, which could change with a healthy season or two.
Jose Vidro, 2B, 30
2004: .294 .367 .454 14 60 3 110
Vidro is probably the most consistent hitter on the Nationals. He is also the best paid hitter on the team and is probably a little overpaid, although who can tell in this volatile market? He can swing the stick (he has a career average of .304) and possess above-average power for a second baseman, although his slugging percentage has dropped each of the last three seasons, which could be partly blamed on the Expos’ tiring travel schedules. Vidro could be in line for a big season.
Vinny Castilla, 3B, 37
2004: .271 .332 .535 35 131 0 148
Even at 37, Castilla is arguably the second best defensive third baseman in the league, next to Philadelphia’s Scott Rolen. Last season Castilla hit 35 home runs and drove in 131 runs while playing in the thin air in Colorado. However, in this two previous seasons in Atlanta, Castilla only averaged 17 home runs a season. General manager Jim Bowden signed Castilla to a pricey two-year contract so it will be interesting to see how he fairs in the twilight of his career.
Christian Guzman, SS, 27
2004: .274 .309 .384 8 46 10 145
Like Castilla, Guzman was signed in the off season to a lucrative contract. However, Guzman’s contact is for four seasons and he is only 27 years old. Guzman plays a good shortstop and hits for an OK average but he seems adverse to taking a walk and he hits with little or no power, save for some triples. Guzman is also young enough that he could still improve with the bat, but for that to happen, he will likely have to take more pitches and be more selective.
Terrmel Sledge, LF, 28
2004: .269 .336 .462 15 62 3 133
Sledge is probably the only player in the projected starting lineup to not be guaranteed a spot. The Nationals have a number of outfielders on their 40-man roster with potential, including J.J. Davis, Ryan Church, Carlton (Tyrell) Godwin, Tony Blanco and to a lesser extent Endy Chavez. Both Blanco and Chavez are Rule 5 picks who must stick the whole season on the 40-man roster or be offered back to their original teams (Toronto and Cincinnati). Sledge had a solid rookie season though and has an interesting combination of power and speed, although he has not run much in the past three seasons.
Brad Wilkerson, CF, 27
2004: .255 .374 .498 32 67 13 160
Wilkerson is a solid fielding outfielder who can also play first base. He is probably better suited for a corner outfield position, but he can play an average centerfield. Wilkerson possesses the potential to hit 30-plus home runs but at this point he is still struggling to make consistent contact, as seen in his 152 strikeouts. He isn’t your prototypical all or nothing slugger, though, and he knows how to get on base; he walked 106 times last season.
Jose Guillen, RF, 29
2004: .294 .352 .497 27 104 5 148
Guillen is a volatile personality but there is no doubt he is a talented player. He is probably the only Nat who could easily hit 30 home runs and drive in 100 runs. Guillen is the epitome of the high risk, high reward player. The worst thing to happen to Guillen in his career was when the Pittsburgh Pirates jumped him from single-A to the major leagues and gave him a full-time outfield gig. He did not have the time to mature in the minors or develop a solid approach at the plate. Over the years, Guillen has matured as a hitter, although he is still too aggressive for his own good.
posted by Marc Hulet @ 1:12 PM
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