Photo by Jake Stephens/TalkNats
The Washington Nationals have a special starting lineup today. While Eli Willits had already appeared in a Spring Training game off the bench, the 18-year-old gets his first start today. And on the mound is Alex Clemmey who is a 20 year old minor leaguer ranked as the team’s 11th best prospect. Last year, Clemmey put up a 2.47 ERA in 19 games in High-A. He finished that season in Double-A.
By the way, there is no TV coverage on this one — there is Nats’ radio via the MLB app and 980 AM in the DMV.
“Excited for the opportunity to go out there and play. Just excited to sit in the dugout and pick everyone’s brains. Go and watch such great players play the game. … Be prepared and always be ready.”
— Willits said before his first game
Along with Willits and Clemmey, catcher Harry Ford returns to the lineup after his return from his World Baseball Classic games with team Great Britain. Brady House might be the only Opening Day starter in today’s lineup — but plenty of players are competing for bench spots like Jose Tena for the infield utility spot, Andres Chaparro and Abimelec Ortiz first base/DH, and Robert Hassell III, Joey Wiemer, and Christian Franklin for the outfield.
The Nationals are 11-5 with three ties so far through the first 19 games. Throw in the 5-1 win against Venezuela’s WBC team, and they are 12-5. If only Spring Training records were an indicator of what will happen in the regular season.
At this point, we only have 19 Spring Training games in the books and the one exhibition game, and no batter has more than 31 official plate appearances on the Washington Nationals. And for that matter, no pitcher has more than 9.0 innings in official games. As the starters play deeper into games, there will be more plate appearances and more innings going forward.
Some of the offensive numbers are really really bad on those stat sheets. Should we be concerned by the poor stats and pleased with the good stats? Yes and no to both. There are cautionary tales on both. But some of the “process” we have seen has been bad and yes, that is concerning.
Miami Marlins vs. Washington Nationals
Stadium: CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach, Florida
1st Pitch: 12:05 PM EDT
TV: N/A
Radio: 980 AM and the MLB app
