The Washington Nationals’ biggest camp battle of spring was the competition for the fifth starter job. Mackenzie Gore, Jake Irvin, Michael Soroka and Trevor Williams appeared to be trapped in the first four spots. The final spots were the island races of DJ Hertz, Mitchell Parker and Ogasawara.
None of them are throwing particularly well. But the Parker was the best so far. Hertz and Ogasawara have been quite cruel this spring so far. Both are over 7 years old and have a whip well over 2.
Ogasawara’s ones have not looked like a big league caliber so far. That was his concern. He was a finesse pitcher who didn’t get many strikeouts in Japan. The batsman has seen it well from him, earning nine hits in 4.2 innings of work. There were a lot of hard contacts. Even when he was out, they were loudly out.
Hertz spring is also a concern. He was my breakout candidate and many national analysts. But the misery of his years of control raised an ugly head this spring. This spring, Hertz walked seven batters. He was also more capable of hits than usual, allowing eight hits in those innings, and only had three strikeouts. This was a disappointing start for a huge number of talented players.
If both of them continue to struggle to this extent, it’s an easy choice between Davy Martinez and Mike Rizzo. Mitchell Parker hasn’t blown the door exactly this spring, but he was his usual stable self. He hasn’t pitched a ton due to neck tension, but in 3.1 innings this spring he allowed two runs and looked like he was.
Parker is probably the most boring guy out of the three, but sometimes he needs to get bored. The fifth starter role is boring. You are supposed to give you quality innings without being a disaster. Let Ace do something hard. Mitchell Parker is someone who competes every five days and doesn’t ruin things. Currently, Ogasawara and Hertz are making things a mess, but that can’t be done from the fifth starter.
If this continues, the most interesting race in Nut Springs may not be that racial. Mitchell Parker is just doing him, his more unstable arms crashing.
