Nationals Bench Players
Statistics listed include: batting average, on-base average, slugging percentage, home runs, runs batted in, stolen bases and games played.
Gary Bennett, C, 33
2004: .224 .297 .329 3 20 1 75
Bennett is the prototypical no-hit, good field backup catcher. He is a good guy to have to help mentor young pitchers and catchers. He also manages to poke out the odd home run but he won't hit for a high average.
Jamey Carroll, IF, 31
2004: .289 .378 .372 0 16 5 102
Jamey Carroll is one of those veteran minor league players who knows how to get the most out of his limited tools. He hustles hard all the time, can play a variety of positions and swings a potent enough bat to pinch hit for the pitcher in crucial situations.
Henry Mateo, IF, 28
2004: .273 .289 .318 0 0 2 40
Mateo is pretty much the prototypical one-tool speedster. He does not play defence particularly well, nor does he hit well. He is likely a AAAA player (too good for triple-A, not good enough for the majors), who will only get in the major league lineup when an injury occurs.
Brendan Harris, 2B, 24
2004: .169 .222 .271 1 3 0 23
Harris offers a little versaility by being able to play second and third base competently. He's a good hitter but does not possess more than average ability to hit home runs, steal bases or hit for average. He is still young and has options left so he is unlikely to make the team out of the spring. He is likely an injury away from making the team, though.
Wil Cordero, 1B, 33
2004: .197 .250 .288 1 6 1 27
Signing Cordero to a major league contract was a bit of a surprise considering other teams were signing similar type players to minor league contracts with an invitation to spring training. Cordero, at this stage of his career, is really nothing better than a backup first baseman and pinch hitter. He possesses some promising, albeit inconsistent, power which is always nice to have off the bench. A player like Cordero is more useful with a winning team, rather than a re-building team because he takes a roster spot away from someone like Ryan Church or Tony Blanco. However, Cordero can offer some veteran advice to the younger players.
Endy Chavez, OF, 27
2004: .277 .318 .371 5 34 32 132
Chavez offers some nice speed, but not much else. He does not get on base nearly enough to utilize his speed to his utmost potential. He is likely destined for a bench spot or even a stint in the minors after being a regular the past two seasons. If Chavez can learn to take more walks, he could become a valuable regular.
J.J. Davis, OF, 26
2004: .143 .225 .171 0 3 2 25
A former first round pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Davis has always possessed promise, but he has never lived up to that. He has 20-25 home runs potential if he can make consistent contact in the major leagues. Davis was never really given a fair shot at an outfield job with the Pirates and it will be interesting to see how much time he can wrangle away from Sledge. An (inevitable) injury to Johnson could shift Wilkerson to first base and open a spot for Davis.
Ryan Church, OF, 26
2004: .175 .257 .238 1 6 0 30
Church has the chance to be a solid big leaguer, but probably not a star. His chances of starting the season on the 25-man roster took a hit when the Nationals obtained Davis and drafted Tony Blanco and Carlton Godwin. Church still has minor league options remaining and Davis does not. Church has the chance to hit 15-20 home runs a season and get on base at a good ratio if given the opportunity. Church’s age (like Davis’) is starting to become a concern and he needs a chance to prove himself soon.
Tony Blanco, OF
2004: Played in minors
Previously a third baseman, the Cincinnati Reds moved Blanco to the outfield last season to help speed up his development. Whether he remains there or not, remains to be seen. Blanco will have to remain on the 40-man roster all season or be offered back to the Reds. Blanco has intriguing power and considerably more upside than Godwin so he is far more likely to stick with the big club. The fact he can play multiple positions also helps, although don’t expect much more from him than what 2003 Rule 5 pick Jose Bautista did last season.
Carlton (Tyrell) Godwin, OF,
2004: Played in minors
Godwin’s only real tool is his speed. He has little or no power (he has raw power potential but it has not developed) and he does not make good contract. He isn’t overly advanced for his age either. Godwin’s selection in the Rule 5 draft from the Blue Jays took a lot of people by surprise. He does not fit in well with the Jays’ organizational philosophy so it would likely be fairly easy for GM Bowden to swing a deal to obtain Godwin’s rights so he can be sent to the minors.
Gary Bennett, C, 33
2004: .224 .297 .329 3 20 1 75
Bennett is the prototypical no-hit, good field backup catcher. He is a good guy to have to help mentor young pitchers and catchers. He also manages to poke out the odd home run but he won't hit for a high average.
Jamey Carroll, IF, 31
2004: .289 .378 .372 0 16 5 102
Jamey Carroll is one of those veteran minor league players who knows how to get the most out of his limited tools. He hustles hard all the time, can play a variety of positions and swings a potent enough bat to pinch hit for the pitcher in crucial situations.
Henry Mateo, IF, 28
2004: .273 .289 .318 0 0 2 40
Mateo is pretty much the prototypical one-tool speedster. He does not play defence particularly well, nor does he hit well. He is likely a AAAA player (too good for triple-A, not good enough for the majors), who will only get in the major league lineup when an injury occurs.
Brendan Harris, 2B, 24
2004: .169 .222 .271 1 3 0 23
Harris offers a little versaility by being able to play second and third base competently. He's a good hitter but does not possess more than average ability to hit home runs, steal bases or hit for average. He is still young and has options left so he is unlikely to make the team out of the spring. He is likely an injury away from making the team, though.
Wil Cordero, 1B, 33
2004: .197 .250 .288 1 6 1 27
Signing Cordero to a major league contract was a bit of a surprise considering other teams were signing similar type players to minor league contracts with an invitation to spring training. Cordero, at this stage of his career, is really nothing better than a backup first baseman and pinch hitter. He possesses some promising, albeit inconsistent, power which is always nice to have off the bench. A player like Cordero is more useful with a winning team, rather than a re-building team because he takes a roster spot away from someone like Ryan Church or Tony Blanco. However, Cordero can offer some veteran advice to the younger players.
Endy Chavez, OF, 27
2004: .277 .318 .371 5 34 32 132
Chavez offers some nice speed, but not much else. He does not get on base nearly enough to utilize his speed to his utmost potential. He is likely destined for a bench spot or even a stint in the minors after being a regular the past two seasons. If Chavez can learn to take more walks, he could become a valuable regular.
J.J. Davis, OF, 26
2004: .143 .225 .171 0 3 2 25
A former first round pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Davis has always possessed promise, but he has never lived up to that. He has 20-25 home runs potential if he can make consistent contact in the major leagues. Davis was never really given a fair shot at an outfield job with the Pirates and it will be interesting to see how much time he can wrangle away from Sledge. An (inevitable) injury to Johnson could shift Wilkerson to first base and open a spot for Davis.
Ryan Church, OF, 26
2004: .175 .257 .238 1 6 0 30
Church has the chance to be a solid big leaguer, but probably not a star. His chances of starting the season on the 25-man roster took a hit when the Nationals obtained Davis and drafted Tony Blanco and Carlton Godwin. Church still has minor league options remaining and Davis does not. Church has the chance to hit 15-20 home runs a season and get on base at a good ratio if given the opportunity. Church’s age (like Davis’) is starting to become a concern and he needs a chance to prove himself soon.
Tony Blanco, OF
2004: Played in minors
Previously a third baseman, the Cincinnati Reds moved Blanco to the outfield last season to help speed up his development. Whether he remains there or not, remains to be seen. Blanco will have to remain on the 40-man roster all season or be offered back to the Reds. Blanco has intriguing power and considerably more upside than Godwin so he is far more likely to stick with the big club. The fact he can play multiple positions also helps, although don’t expect much more from him than what 2003 Rule 5 pick Jose Bautista did last season.
Carlton (Tyrell) Godwin, OF,
2004: Played in minors
Godwin’s only real tool is his speed. He has little or no power (he has raw power potential but it has not developed) and he does not make good contract. He isn’t overly advanced for his age either. Godwin’s selection in the Rule 5 draft from the Blue Jays took a lot of people by surprise. He does not fit in well with the Jays’ organizational philosophy so it would likely be fairly easy for GM Bowden to swing a deal to obtain Godwin’s rights so he can be sent to the minors.
posted by Marc Hulet @ 2:15 PM
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