Within that five year history is three managers, who have all experienced the same results. They’ve also had hardly more than one all star to represent them in the all-star game while other teams send up three to five players. Alright, that’s enough torture for one baseball fan to endure. We get it, the Nationals stink.
Ah but wait, with all those years of continuing misery and surmounting losses, its only fair that the worst teams in baseball get the all-valuable high draft picks. Just look at the Tampa Bay Rays, easily the laughing stock of MLB for seasons prior to 2008. Even their fans’ brown bags over their heads could not wake up the young franchise. Then 2008 came and BAM, the Rays, with a new name and look, transformed into one of the best teams in baseball and found themselves in the World Series. Lead by third baseman Evan Longoria, outfielders B.J. Upton and Carl Crawford, and dynamic pitcher David Price, the Rays have turned the AL East, easily the hardest division in the game, upside down and the once feared Red Sox and Yankees are hardly a match against the youthful and pure energy of the Rays.
Obviously a team like the Rays can’t buy themselves players and playoff spots; they waited years and years prior to the ’08 season to develop this team and did so ever so quietly. The Washington Nationals are a very different team than the Rays, especially playing in the National vs. the American League. But here’s the silver lining in all this five year mess: the Nats’ have a quality farm system, one that consists of talented players and slowly but surely these future stars of baseball will be there right in our backyard. Hey, I know as D.C. sports fans, we want to win every year (who doesn’t) but like the Rays, the Nationals are building their own dynasty, much like past championship teams have done.
Players like Zimmerman certainly exist in the club’s minor league system. Don’t worry they’re there, all the Nationals have to do is find them, develop them correctly, and prepare them to turn around the franchise.
I haven’t even mentioned his name yet and by now you’re probably wondering if I’ve forgotten. No, don’t worry, I haven’t. I’m just saving the best for last. Yeah that’s right, I’m talking ’bout Stephen Strasburg, the 20-year-old phenom from San Diego State. So far he’s lived up to the hype, in his three starts in AA Harrisburg, he posted a 3-1 record and a 1.64 ERA. Upon moving to the more difficult AAA Syracuse team, he’s 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA, including a stellar hitless game last Thursday in six innings of work.
Much like the rest of the baseball world. we’re all waiting till that day in June when Strasburg gets his first major league start and hopefully for Nationals fans, it will signal the changing of a new leaf of their franchise.
There’s more to the Nationals than Strasburg; they have plenty for opposing teams to watch out for including another expected star pitcher, Drew Storen, who has even better numbers than Strasburg in AA with a 0.96 ERA and a sparkling 1.35 ERA with Syracuse.
And don’t forget since the Nats got the honor once again for the worst team in baseball in the ’09 season, they’ll get the first pick in the 2010 draft once for the second year in a row and could get another potential star in catcher Bryce Harper.
So before we completely give up on the Nationals in their small history, just wait till these young guys get up to the team. Team sports go up and down; even the championship winning New York Yankees and hockey’s Montreal Canadians don’t win every year. Don’t worry, we’ll get there. Just wait a few years and I bet we’ll be in serious contention for the playoffs.
And if you’re paying attention to the current standings in MLB, the Nationals are currently one game out of first place behind the Phillies, and have a 20-15 record*. If this team is still around in the race next month, with Strasburg and possibly Storen coming up, this team could be (dare I say) a threat to the National League. With the brilliant moves by general manager Mike Rizzo this offseason, the trade deadline could cause some stir within the club.
*Statistic as of May 14.
