Beltway Baseball live with Mark Zuckerman - 5/31
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Tue, 31 May 2011|
Transcript
CF the Washington dot com yeah. -- Everybody -- -- are coming here with Houston Washington and not insider dot com watching. Beltway baseball live on this Tuesday afternoon and we have a special MLB draft auditioned for yes the draft is coming up on Monday June -- Or were only six days away there's a lot of uncertainty this year with the draft. Really have no idea where anyone is gonna go to even at the number one pick what you star's sophomore are talking about what -- the nationals have in the first round and how they got. Well unlike last year they don't have the number one pick -- like the last two years they don't have the number one pick -- -- little different situation now he got to number six overall pick. It's -- it finished flat here but they also have two compensatory pick number 23. Overall number 34 overall and -- The losing Adam Dunn to the white. You know last July when the trade deadline came up in the whole issue. Do they trade Adam Dunn. Or do you let him go free agency. Thought all along Mike Rizzo was that these two compensatory picks were better than what they're being offered. So. You make that move now you see what kind of guys can get that it will turn out better what was being offered I don't know but it does put him in good position three. There won't pick. Something very few teams. Yeah we'll let that tradeoff letting Adam Dunn go via free agents and create it is looking a little bit so far it looks like. Even though the white thought maybe not immune to the -- offense that struggled so yeah he's had a rough season and and waiting to work that out an answer to upset but. It would have been nice to actually get prospect Brett we'll we'll they're gonna have a top ten pick again for the fifth straight year you know you lose games that's what happens to you. But how would you classify ourselves for the team's draft history and that the -- Washington you've covered the team for. Berth since they moved here how how would you grade their draft well it. Kind of been hit or miss it seems to me that. They either hit big time with guys like Ryan Zimmerman. Stephen strasburg harper we expect. Orton worked out well. But they've also had to -- colossal bonuses to. Six draft possibly could have them at that point 28 track. -- have been a few hidden gems in there in later rounds. John Lannan was taking it. Latin round with five draft. -- yet though it looked like was it in the third round 08 draft but really. Other than the years when they've kind of had slammed on you know -- -- gonna get. -- strasburg harper at number one -- -- take that. Haven't necessarily hit on some of those that -- -- scouting and you like. Yet that is things like it's been a mixed bag why is that so hard agreed. Well it is. More than in this sport it's the most difficult to accurately. Out these guys project and I think I'm asked to do with a lot of cases they're in high school. And knocked reached immediately for several years you know think about football and basketball more contain. So that level what you're watching them. Is one level short where there and you know plain and -- Baseball. It's hard to judge what eighteen year old looked like five or six years and had I think one problem you look at that split. You know Chris Marrero. Has not reached Major League -- well I. Actually didn't pan out as a pitcher only player that six draft is actually reached the big -- so -- Cole Kimball who just came up and he was on the pro. 07. Yeah -- not stuck here yet there's still time smoker. Was a bust got her turned into reliever this year Michael Burgess was okay but -- a heart rate goes the Cubs for Gorzelanny so. You can see that it's not an exact science and unless you have one of those years where it's clear hey Stephen strasburg. Bryce harper. Slam dunk went on the best prospect that we've ever seen. It's not a good look. You know the national team's struggling at the big league level but really up and down the farm system that a struggle for quite a few years now. Uh oh what are we look at the potential first round picks for them this year humans and they have three -- Who might they be looking at this I think he'd look at here is that this is an incredibly deep. Draft. As far as class guys especially pitchers especially college pitchers. What it isn't it it's not a -- to clear cut number one guy. Brandon. Was thought all along the top guy. He dealt with a shoulder injury he could drop in all -- number six I don't think it will gear cold right hander from UCLA it's only -- -- -- look really closely. My great that was actually out there and scout in person. And incredible power -- -- it's a vote them they would love for one guy's fault them. Cole as the best stuff that anybody in the draft. But haven't had a great season for whatever reason and I was concerned that. Our. Is sort Tim Lincecum typist or kind of crazy looking mechanics that make you think who I don't know could be injured there but he put up incredibly good numbers. Here in college and -- Lincecum just because you don't have picture perfect mechanics doesn't mean. Certainly didn't hurt I think everybody is one thing action. I think -- one of those pitchers. Is that they'll stick to have to look at that if they're all gone and if a top position player like rendition. And get a definite -- and you know more about it and I do any hope. The left hander from UBA who could end up being number one pick or could maybe spinal. Right -- we really don't know he could. Well anywhere between one through maybe seven or eight is that -- left -- -- security -- actually from our. And year your first player. Should get -- you have. A lot of guy coming. In. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Want them. Read it it. And it. Reader questions. -- It. Speaking of the national. Bringing -- and -- -- we -- You were. Aero or. Or. Yeah I I know all along that in this just hang on to. Act. And it will help I don't know that. His presence alone and it turns into productive and that was all the just having him in there again. There had to kind of work the middle line a lot. Spot on where it should be. You know I think that'll help. As far as minor -- there really isn't a whole lot there that's gonna help. Where they don't think it necessarily ready. Michael -- has played well first base and taking over their hottest hitters I don't think there's -- need at that position for now. Michael operative. Nine years old. Really prospect. I think that they're kinda have what they haven't. Appointment as part of trade and it's still too early it got to be until later -- closer to lakers' first deadline for c.'s -- -- Yeah. There. You know and off like that. Certainly guys that have some value but I don't think. I. Well there certainly are some problems right now -- their problems in the new. Then manager Jim wrote Goldman -- -- wants to know does hurt the men have closed door meetings with his players to coverage. -- you know something that comes up a lot because publicly Guillen is very much and doesn't. Criticized players they're strong. Players public. Always speak positively. I think he's a different kind of I just haven't talked in others and operated -- -- into his office. Prefer to -- one on one Big. Apple team. -- Work earlier in the week at the comment. Accurate and guys and he's not. And yet. All the guys -- public isn't necessarily the best way to go about it. And I know sometimes it's looked like yeah. -- -- Very interest of the third question is from talking Watson about raw roster that -- speaking of the draft a former sixth overall pick. Hasn't been pitching very well at -- -- any understanding from the that as to what is probably. No there isn't and I think the company line still is hey it's early in the year this is a guy that all along we've wanted to see him pitch every day. Over period. For one reason or another whether it was injuries are getting called up and ready or whatever was. He's never really had a long extended chance to do. They wanna -- Now. The numbers haven't been real good had a -- disappointment that he wasn't in a position to be called up this last weekend when they needed a starter -- of course money down on the net. I've got what would protect against bigger prospect. Out of his hadn't really Belichick -- Now that doesn't give up -- wonder maybe. I'm certainly didn't convert him to a reliever and not and that's out of the question that might not happen Sunday. I just don't think they've reached that point with him and they've invested a lot of time and effort with this guy. And they still believe there's some chance that he can become a Major League starter I think they're. All the nationals are. Struggling right now -- pick it up tonight again against cliff in the -- then they have those ball than they have is the Diamondbacks next time Beck or our players constantly. The Giants got -- -- -- -- oppose it that's a very good pitching -- and maybe it's time to look towards the entry composite. Anyways get all your -- national coverage -- -- and Washington and that attack on thanks for watching beltway baseball. -- He had in Washington dot com.
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Beltway Baseball: Why Strasburg will be just fineCSN Washington dot com. Are welcomed the beltway baseball here on CSN Washington dot com on chase Hughes and mark Zuckerman. And mark we've been through a month and a few weeks or overly down here. And the nationals as a team having kinda inconsistent but one thing that is really travelling fans and people around league starting to notice is it consistency of Stephen Strasburg. The numbers aren't that far off from what we've seen but it anyone who's watched him over the last few years and tell maybe there's something something a little bit off he's having trouble finding the strike zone. What do you make of the situation and do you think it is that they concern yeah I mean the thing is like you said the numbers don't look. It that far off feeds the pitching. for big league pitcher but he set such a high bar for so we've come to expect so much. Patted him it just doesn't quite look like what you expected the biggest thing is fastball command. You know he's not. Throwing strikes getting ahead in the count. The way it did it was so amazing about him as a rookie when he came back originally from the Tommy John surgery was the fact that. He could be a power pitcher while still having excellent coming that deadly combination. Just not quite there yet. Curve balls still excellent still excellent. I think you're seeing signs of improvement I think he's getting there but he still working on to think that it's mechanical mostly. And they they seem to determine and it's not physical it's mormons and you can see it on the on the field he's the body language that. He's impatient he gets frustrates easily and this just a matter of him being such a perfectionist. He's not used to not being great. He's used to being great not just good right exactly and I think that's that next step and take if he's really gonna become an ace of the World Series contender. It's about hey it doesn't matter what happens behind him Doesn't matter what run support I the umpire and I'm gonna go out I'm gonna beat no matter We're seeing there and do that right now I think it's time for Strasburg if he really wants to become an elite. Top. The line pitcher. That's what he needs you now quickly another guy who's had trouble as you can also I think might be a little bit more of a concern is his command has been quite there. I think it's curve ball isn't quite as sharp as it was last year this is something that might he might work out the kinks out. But he has been pride stuff yeah I mean an more erratic certainly had some fantastic start and that's really troubling ones I think his last start Pittsburgh may have been a turning point for them. Got a huge jam in the first inning lead off home runs very first pitch then he loads the bases. Nobody out. Battle back and get out six straight after that I can almost see a little something clicked inside and minutes that. Maybe this you Ozzie admitted afterwards and younger version him would have melted there. Let it spiral out control. That might be assigned an comes back next time that made it a big turning point mark let's talk about the catching situation we're moving through May and so far Davey has. Rotated kind of alternated and depending on the edge depending on the he said that at some he's gonna have to make a decision we saw over the weekend go back to back with Ramos. At some point. Maybe you and you think we're gonna see him go with the primary catcher I think so maybe not a true number one in the and a guy you know catching you know once or twice a week and I think he does. Number one wanna play the hot hand whoever it is. I think he hopes its problems he understands that everyone understands. That Wilson Ramos has higher ceilings and Kurt Suzuki put the whole package together offensively defensively he can do more so I think you're gonna start to see that. It Suzuki gets hot they'll play obviously. I think the preference be for to ultimately take over. I went into the numbers last week how the pitching staff has done with Suzuki and For some reason everybody but you done way better with over the past few seasons in their career ERA is. Are better with him in their career marks I don't I don't know I can't tell you why that is but that's the case yeah and I the pictures all insist they'll have both guys I don't know if there even where it. Yzerman tops they had success with Suzuki and it's amazing stats that would certainly something overtime that you have to look him. Now as we're getting close to the middle of may what we take stock with the division first the Braves came out really hot out of the gate. It was it was really at the point were you thinking all right who's gonna slow him down or what's gonna slow them down they didn't seem to have a weakness whatsoever. The nationals. Meanwhile your 500. But as they're starting to get things going they're not that far behind it could be much worse at this point oh absolutely mean if the nationals. Figure that April was their worst month but that's as bad against them they're going to be all right because they hover around 500. And the rays came back to earth and what's it was gonna happen next maybe not. To this extent you're surprised by that we're gonna play 900 ball. All right I think it was twelve and when you start here to me what's interesting is all of a sudden they're closer Craig Kimbrel. Most dominant closer in baseball last year and the first month this year he's blown three saves in days yeah giving up home runs. That's. Staggered problem right there I mean who knows just a blip. Or something long term about but also without Johnny Panthers won their top. Setup men and PG beaches and come back and just came back Heyward been out for a while there. BJ Upton knocked off to a good start the play and they got a lot of weapons are they're going to be good. Long term but they may not be quite easily as we and BJ Upton has been really bad and having having gas was really early on but. he's not looking like the next Mike Capps at this point about one thing I think it's interesting as the two best guys I think in their offense have to look at the numbers today. They've been Justin Upton and Chris Johnson who of course were with the team much yeah exactly they talk on all the offseason moves it made it mentioned Johnson as much damage in the Upton Brothers that night do you think getting Freddie Freeman back to deal with me that isn't fantastic all around first baseman. The Braves are going to be fine long term this can make good race really do believe that. CSN Washington dot com.
