Volume 1 Issue 8

I haven't written in my notebook over the weekend because, well, I've been watching the start of Nationals Spring Training. However, since the Nationals aren't playing tonight, I thought I'd share my thoughts on what I've observed during the past few days at Spring Training. Actually, I wanted to focus on prospects – prospects, and more prospects.

The future of the Washington Nationals is looking extremely bright as the top prospects for the team are turning everyone’s heads. And that is the subject of today’s Reporter’s Notebook.

On a personal note, I want to send a shout-out to my great friend Jeremy, who is currently recovering from COVID. Get better soon!

Let the Kids Play

The most significant narrative that has captured my attention this Spring Training, and will undoubtedly extend into the ongoing season, revolves around how the Washington Nationals' prospects are performing and progressing in their development.

It's all about prospects, prospects, and even more prospects. Despite the limited sample size (only two games thus far), watching these young talents has been the standout highlight of Spring Training.

Although James Wood (Nats Report Prospect Rank #1) didn't hit a home run in today's game, unlike the first two games of Spring Training, he delivered two notable plate appearances. The 21-year-old outfield prospect produced a two-out RBI single through the right side of the infield in the bottom of the seventh inning. Later, in the bottom of the ninth, he drew a walk, attempting to ignite a late-game rally.

In the initial two games, Wood hit two towering home runs against formidable pitching. Last night, he hit a towering 422-foot home run to dead center off Miami’s Devin Smeltzer. In his first at-bat of Spring Training on Saturday night against Houston’s Misael Tamarez, Wood hit his first moonshot in the bottom of the fifth.

An observation worth noting this Spring Training is Wood's physical transformation. Unlike last season in the minors, he has bulked up, possibly contributing to his increased power at the plate.

Having had the opportunity to observe Wood up close last season in Harrisburg, I can attest that he was very "lanky and skinny." This season, my observations suggest that he has definitely put on some weight, which hopefully will translate to increased power.

Other Washington Nationals prospects such as Robert Hassell III (Nats Report Prospect Ranking #11) and Dylan Crews (Nats Report Prospect Ranking #2) have also shown impressive stats at the plate so far and an ease of hitting somewhat professional pitching.

Robert Hassell III continued his impressive performance, following up his strong Saturday night debut with another single, a stolen base, and a sacrifice fly in Sunday afternoon's win against the Marlins. Additionally, this afternoon, Hassell drew a walk.

Crews has had three at-bats, garnering two walks and one strikeout. Brady House (Nats Report Prospect Ranking # 4) went 1-3 with a two-run single, and finally, Trey Lipscomb (Nats Report Prospect Ranking #20) secured a double and scored a run this afternoon.

On the pitching side, the Washington Nationals' pitching prospects have also been shining. In his first start of Spring Training, Jackson Rutledge made his debut on Saturday night, entering in relief and pitching two scoreless innings, striking out two and walking one. He will have another opportunity to prove himself for the opening day roster in Wednesday's game against the Red Sox, where he is slated to be the starting pitcher.

Lastly, both Nationals pitching prospects, Cole Henry and Mitchell Parker, combined for three scoreless innings, each striking out three batters in their spring debuts this afternoon.

Regardless of the early stage, it has been a joy to watch these prospects in action. As Haden highlighted in this morning’s Morning Briefing: "He [James Wood] is quickly becoming a fan favorite to make the team out of camp, although he was not expected to compete for a job at camp."

Davey Martinez has taken notice of the excitement the young prospects are bringing to the team. Following today's game in West Palm Beach, Martinez expressed to reporters: "They're going to be something else. I'm excited I get to work with them, and hopefully, I get to manage them in the major leagues really soon."

It's evident that Nationals fans are recognizing the potential that this core group of prospects could bring to the future of the team. It’s hard not to right?

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