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Wednesday, March 16, 2005

Spring Training Update - March 16

Washington Nationals Record: 7-6 (.538)
Hitters’ stats include: hits/at-bats, average, home runs
Pitchers’ stats include: ERA, innings, hits allowed, BB/SO

Hot Hitters:
SS Ian Desmond – 8 for 26 .308 0
IF Brendan Harris – 8 for 25 .320 0
OF Tyrell Godwin – 7 for 20 .350 0
C Brian Schneider – 6 for 19 .316 0
IF Jamey Carroll – 7 for 19 .368 0; four doubles
OF J.J. Davis – 8 for 18 .444 1; .889 slugging percentage
SS Cristian Guzman – 8 for 16 .500 1
IF George Arias – 5 for 15 .333 0
IF-OF Tony Blanco – 5 for 15 .333 0

Cold Hitters:
OF Endy Chavez – 2 for 21 .190 0
OF Brad Wilkerson – 3 for 16 .188 2
3B Vinny Castilla – 1 for 16 .063 0
OF Jeffrey Hammonds – 5 for 21 .238 1
OF Jose Guillen – 3 for 13 .231 1


Hot Pitchers:
RHP Livan Hernandez – 2.57 14 12 1-6
RHP Esteban Loaiza – 3.00 9 12 0-5
RHP Jon Rauch – 2.25 8 7 2-4
RHP Chad Cordero – 1.80 5 3 1-7
RHP Danny Rueckel – 0.00 5 3 2-2
RHP Sunny Kim – 3.38 5.2 4 1-6
LHP Joe Horgan – 0.00 3 2 1-3

Cold Pitchers:
RHP Tony Armas – 5.19 8.6 8 4-6
RHP John Patterson – 6.75 8 10 1-5
LHP Michael Hinckley – 12.00 6 14 5-3; demoted
RHP T.J. Tucker – 12.00 6 8 1-4
RHP Zack Day – 9.00 5 7 2-2
RHP Gary Majewski – 14.73 3.6 5 6-4
LHP Joey Eischen – 8.10 3.2 7 3-2

Conclusions:
Well the Washington hitters are definitely ahead of the pitchers at this point, which goes against the norm. On the hitter’s side of things, Ian Desmond is really turning people’s heads after being a late addition to spring training due to a shortage of infielders. He won’t the team, after being drafting out of high school in 2004, but he has likely secured himself a spot on a full-season team, likely in Savannah (low-A). Even so, not bad for a teenager. Endy Chavez and Jeffrey Hammonds are going to have difficult times making the squad, especially with Rule 5 picks Tony Blanco and Tyrell Godwin playing so well. J.J. Davis has been a monster this spring and most likely will head north with the team at the end of spring training. Brendan Harris looks ready for the majors, but there is just no room for him at this point so he will likely head back to triple-A.

On the mound, Jon Rauch has stepped up his game in pursuit of a roster spot. He has options left though, so he can be safely sent to the minors, unlike the struggling John Patterson or Claudio Vargas. T.J. Tucker and Joey Eischen are veterans who are likely to make the bullpen despite their struggles. Chad Cordero looks good in his pursuit to start the season as the team’s closer. Keep an eye on Danny Rueckel. Even if he doesn’t make the team out of spring training, he could be the first man called up in the event of a pitcher’s injury.

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