MASNsports.com is your online home for the latest Orioles and Nationals news, features, and commentary. And now, you can connect with MASN on every digital level. From web and social media to our new mobile alert service, MASN has got all the bases covered.
Get the latest breaking news direct to your phone with our free mobile texting service. Text "MASN" to 29292, or click the join button below!
Last year, the Nationals brought Ian Desmond to the majors for a September call-up, and he played so well that he got a shot to win the shortstop job in spring training, which he did. This year, it looks like the Nationals will try to catch lightning in a bottle again.
Danny Espinosa, a shortstop at Triple-A Syracuse and one of the Nationals' top middle infield prospects, will be among the team's September call-ups, according to a tweet from Espinosa's sister Christina.
Espinosa hit .295/.349/.463 with four homers and 15 RBI in 24 games at Syracuse, after hitting 18 homers in 99 games at Double-A Harrisburg. The Chiefs had played him several times at second base, possibly preparing him to move to that position next year and form the Nationals' middle infield with Desmond, who's completing his first full year in the majors at shortstop.
A scout I talked to last month in Philadelphia said Espinosa's athleticism is just a hair behind Desmond's, though both players have a penchant for making errors. Still, the two of them together could give the Nationals one of the rangiest middle infields in baseball next year, if Espinosa proves he can stick in the big leagues.
If Espinosa is indeed headed to the majors, the Nationals would have to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for him, but transferring Stephen Strasburg to the 60-day DL seems like an easy fix for that.
Here's a story I wrote about the changes Espinosa was making to his swing during spring training.
With his penchant for making errors, I don't know if its a good idea to "alternate" him/Dessie between SS and 2B as Peric has suggested in the past. The last thing you want for two players prone for making is more confusion.
The question not answered that still remains? Will Riggleman even play the guy at short or second? Or will he try to make him into a utility guy so that he can continue to play veterans ... he could take playing time away from JMax?
Espinosa has actually appeared to play better at second base than short in AAA. In 39 chances 0 errors and 5 double plays, 18 put outs. At short 57 chances, 2 errors, and 16 put outs with 4 double plays.
Has J-MAX accumulated enough service time to be considered a "veteran." I think there's a good chance he won't even be on the team come February in Viera. Which veterans could play 2B since Desmond is entrenched in the role at short? Kennedy is not signed after this season, I can't see the offensively anemic AG getting playing time ahead of Espinosa. This is a typical case where your overanalyze the situation.
Then again, you said Riggs wasn't going to make it through the year. You said Rizzo hand't given him a "ringing endorsement" then he did. So he's still here, looks like he'll be here next year. I guess you'll just have to "suck it up" and get used to it. Maybe Morse will get traded...
so you don't think they should be "alternating" now? But I will say just looking at the stats, it doesn't appear he is MUCH better at the easier position of 2B over short.
Well Maddy, Riggleman's "ringing endorsement" has not led to re-upping his contract? They just resigned Livan Hernadez? So .... as I recall your "ringing endorsement" was followed by a caveat wherein Rizzo stated that he would have to discuss things with the Lerners and Kasten first. Wrong again Maddy, sorry but dude. That is not a "ringing endorsement", more of a compliment for services rendered ... NOT a ringing endorsement to be the 2011 manager of the team. Guess you'll just have to suck it up when he is not re-upped?
Riggleman himself just recently said he would likely not play the September call-ups except for the pitchers unless its against teams not in contention or to spell veterans. Yet he does find ways to get JMax into games? He again said he had to "respect the veterans" who had put time in with the club from the get-go leading to a losing record? AND he felt it was unfair to other contending clubs when he didn't play his best against their competition. Again, Wil Nieves is better than Ramos? NO FRIGGIN' WAY not this year, not last year, not any year. Espinosa is likely a better second bagger than Kennedy who has lost a lot of speed. Kennedy does seem to have improved in the important OBP department ... something Espy needs improvement in? But with Espinosa's speed he appears to be a better choice at lead off than the older Morgan or Kennedy?
Nope sorry you seem to be wrong again dude? Sorry.
"Well Maddy, Riggleman's "ringing endorsement" has not led to re-upping his contract? They just resigned Livan Hernadez? So .... as I recall your "ringing endorsement" was followed by a caveat wherein Rizzo stated that he would have to discuss things with the Lerners and Kasten first. Wrong again Maddy, sorry but dude. That is not a "ringing endorsement", more of a compliment for services rendered ... NOT a ringing endorsement to be the 2011 manager of the team."
-->You wanted a "ringing endorsement" from Rizzo, which he gave Riggleman. He later backtracked that he did not talk to "upper management," but he himself did give him a "ringing endorsement." You might want to re-read as well as re-watch some of Rizzo statements. You and Rizzo have something in common, your both doing your own "backtracking" and "revising" your own statements.
But you did say you didn't think Riggs was going to last through all of this season, do you see him getting fired in the final month? Also, when is Cliff Lee signing here?
"Guess you'll just have to suck it up when he is not re-upped?"
-->I'll be fine, now that Buck Showalter is off the market, I don't think there's too much inventory left. Bobby V won't come here, Don Mattingly looks like he's headed for LaLa land. I think Riggs is coming back next year, but I don't really care. There not competing next year anyways.
"Riggleman himself just recently said he would likely not play the September call-ups except for the pitchers unless its against teams not in contention or to spell veterans. Yet he does find ways to get JMax into games? He again said he had to "respect the veterans" who had put time in with the club from the get-go leading to a losing record? AND he felt it was unfair to other contending clubs when he didn't play his best against their competition. Again, Wil Nieves is better than Ramos? NO FRIGGIN' WAY not this year, not last year, not any year. Espinosa is likely a better second bagger than Kennedy who has lost a lot of speed. Kennedy does seem to have improved in the important OBP department ... something Espy needs improvement in?
Nope sorry you seem to be wrong again dude? Sorry."
-->Can you(or someone else) explain what I am "wrong" on here? All I said was I thought Espinosa was going to tbe the 2B next season as Kennedy contract is up and a good chance it won't be renewed.
I think Ramos will be the catcher next year and Nieves will be long gone. For those of you who can't get enough of Wil Nieves, I would suggest he sticks around as a bullpen catcher. Where did I ever say Nieves was better than Ramos?
I think Espinosa might be a good option to leadoff, I haven't seen him. I think we have all had it with Nyjer.
"Dude," please stop putting words in my mouth.
If Ben is right and Espinosa gets a callup, then somebody is probably going to get 'kicked to the curb', as I don't think he's currently on the 40-man roster.
so you don't think they should be "alternating" now? But I will say just looking at the stats, it doesn't appear he is MUCH better at the easier position of 2B over short.
They will alternate ... if not now in ST. Rizzo says that Espinosa's arm is better than Desmond's. But that Desmond has the best range of any shortstop in baseball ... if Desmond goes down with an injury wouldn't you move a guy who looks just as good over? Its a similar situation with the ChiSox where their second baseman came up as a shortstop. He could still move over if necessary.
If Ben is right and Espinosa gets a callup, then somebody is probably going to get 'kicked to the curb', as I don't think he's currently on the 40-man roster.
They can move Strasburg to the 60-day DL. And Willingham. But since they just kind of kicked Orlando Hernandez to the curb? In order to ensure quality playing time Rizzo could do that. But the key guys released should be Mench, Harris, and Nieves. I'm not sure but I believe that Riggleman would be against those moves.
Boz also announced this in his morning column. Have to assume its the truth. Again, whether he sees any playing time is another matter entirely.
"But that Desmond has the best range of any shortstop in baseball"
-->That's a lofty statement, not sure if I agree with that. On an unrelated note, he also happens to be the most error prone.
"if Desmond goes down with an injury wouldn't you move a guy who looks just as good over? Its a similar situation with the ChiSox where their second baseman came up as a shortstop. He could still move over if necessary."
-->Yes, your right a big "if." At any point, Billy Ripken, Manny Alexander, and many other players were "ready" to move over in the case that Cal got injured. But I do agree, if somehow Desmond gets injured he would move over. What happens if Espinosa gets injured, does Dessi move to second?
"In order to ensure quality playing time Rizzo could do that. But the key guys released should be Mench, Harris, and Nieves. I'm not sure but I believe that Riggleman would be against those moves."
-->As Ben explained to you last week, it's a "group process" and Rizzo has the final say. That's the job of the GM, Peric to determine the 40-man roster. So it's not Riggs call, he will have to live with the decision(s) Rizzo makes. my guess would be Mench would be the first to go, followed by Harris then Nieves. I wouldn't be upset if any of these sub-mendoza hitters were released though.
What did it say? That the Nationals were on track to win the world series like one of his earlier articles made it appear they were a "great" team.
Don't other teams wish they had the Nat's problem, which young prospect to start at second and short. I hope they become our Whittaker and Trammell combo for the future. With Zim at third and Ramos at the plate, the Nats have some potential (the word everyone hates) for the future. Go ahead and sign Dunn for three years, he's only 30 and looks younger without the messy facial hair.
Yes, I think we've heard for years now that the Nats have "potential" and are just a few years away from competing, similarilly we here that up the road in Baltimore. Sounds like the idea of a short-turnaround is contagious around here.