Baseball is back, and the Washington Nationals have kicked off their spring with a bang, notching victories in both ends of a split-squad doubleheader. Half the team traveled to Jupiter to face the Cardinals, while the rest stayed in West Palm Beach to take on the Astros. The Nats emerged victorious in both matchups, edging the Astros 2-1 and defeating the Cardinals 6-2.
This marks an impressive start to the Paul Toboni and Blake Butera era. The pitching staff delivered solid performances, and the lineup came through with timely hitting to secure the wins. While there are areas to refine, particularly on defense, such early-season mistakes are par for the course in Spring Training.
The clash against the Astros, which was televised, caught plenty of attention. It was a tightly contested affair, with the Nats benefiting from the Astros' struggles with runners in scoring position.
Despite some defensive hiccups, there were flashes of brilliance. Prospect Andrew Pinckney showcased his arm strength early, gunning down a runner in the first inning with a spectacular throw.
Pinckney's arm is a true asset, earning an impressive 80 grade from Baseball America. Out of 22 Triple-A outfield throws clocked at 100 mph or more, Pinckney accounted for eight.
His prowess at the plate was also evident. Although he struck out in his first at-bat, he rebounded with a 114 mph double in his next appearance.
Pinckney's profile as a fourth outfielder is highlighted by his power, speed, and defense, though concerns about strikeouts remain.
Jorgelys Mota also put on a power display, launching a home run that gave the Nats a lead they wouldn't relinquish. The 20-year-old's blast traveled 434 feet at 115 mph.
While Mota's power is undeniable, his hitting consistency and tendency to chase pitches are areas for development. Ranked as the Nats' 25th prospect by Baseball America, Mota's potential is clear, and he could begin the season at High-A.
CJ Abrams, another standout, went 1-for-2 with a walk, including a double down the line. Abrams showed poise at the plate, drawing a bases-loaded walk to drive in a run.
On the mound, the Nationals' pitching was a mixed bag. Despite allowing only one run, they issued 11 walks. PJ Poulin and Paxton Schultz looked sharp, while Jake Eder showed flashes of brilliance but struggled with consistency.
Seth Shuman, the winning pitcher, was aided by his defense, notably a home run-saving catch by Leandro Pineda, a minor league free agent signing making a memorable first impression. Holden Powell closed the game, working around three walks to secure the 2-1 victory.
Meanwhile, in Jupiter, the Nationals secured a 6-2 win over the Cardinals. Maxwell Romero's three-run homer was pivotal, and Harry Ford impressed with a walk and an RBI single.
Isaac Lyon, part of the Jose A. Ferrer package, delivered two scoreless innings, while Marquis Grissom Jr. also shined in his outing.
Overall, it was an encouraging start to Spring Training for the Nationals, with two wins and promising performances from young players. As the team looks to build on this momentum, there's a sense of optimism that they might surprise some folks this season. The Nationals are back in action tomorrow at 1:10 against the Marlins.