2007 Washington Nationals Baseball Preview

Last season the Washington Nationals (71- 91) looked exciting at first and then, as the season went on and Alfonso Soriano complained continuously, Frank Robinson got glum and the team broke down, the magic disappeared. This season looks no better for the team that brought professional baseball back to our nation’s capital. We rode the Nationals at the beginning of the season with our baseball sports picks, than were able to find the way to get off and fade Washington down the stretch. Lets move onto this years baseball team report.

The starting rotation will be anchored by RHP John Patterson (1- 2, 4.43 ERA) who was injured much of last season. Patterson is young and good but the rest of the rotation is composed of guys who nobody wanted. The pitching staff was the worst in the league, sporting an ERA of 5.03. If closer Chad Cordero (7- 4, 3.19 ERA, 29 SV) is given some games to save, chances are that he will.

Offensive output will be up to third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (.287AVG, 110 RBI, 20 HR) and first baseman Nick Johnson (.290 AVG, 77 RBI, 23 HR). As a rookie last season, Zimmerman proved he was the real thing. Johnson is a fine player but he has never played a full season without being placed on the DL. He suffered a broken femur in September and will probably miss opening day. Rookie outfielder Kory Casto, who had 20 homers and 80 RBI last season in Double-A, could make a difference.

This team had the worst fielding percentage in the league-- .978. They also turned the second-least number of double plays—123. Don’t look for much to change in the defensive competence. These are very telling stats and are often good teams to go against when you are betting baseball. Mistake prone teams are likely very bad bets.

The Nationals have replaced the oldest manager in the pros, 71- year old Robinson, with the youngest and least experienced, 37- year old Manny Acta. Known as a players’ manager, Acta coached the Dominican team for the World Baseball Classic and skippered numerous teams in the Winter League.

This is a major rebuilding year. GM Jim Bowden did not spend money in the off-season and the minor system has few promising prospects. The earliest this team will do anything is 2008.

Read more on the Nationals other NL East division opponents, New York Mets, Florida Marlins, Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves.

For more info on the Nationals check out the MLB official page for Washington.