All Things Bubba

Anthony Rendon is making an impression.

VIERA, FLA. — The baseball men running the Washington Nationals know conclusions should not form in one spring training week, but with Anthony Rendon they can’t help themselves. Front-office officials watch his sweet swing and whisper he’ll hit third someday. Scouts watch him field groundballs and declare he could win a Gold Glove. Coaches throw him batting practice and shake their heads.

The Nationals drafted Rendon out of Rice with the sixth overall pick last year, and they assigned him to major league camp because his draft deal stipulated he be placed on the 40-man roster. He will not make the major leagues out of spring training. But based on the early reviews, Rendon, 21, is not long for the minors.

They also seem impressed with his intelligence and maturity (read: not a spoiled brat like Bryce Harper).

The Nationals have really done well in the draft the last few years, I must say.

Also spotted a couple of former Yankees in the Nats gallery. Chien-Ming Wang, always one of my favorites:


He's in the middle, between Cole Kimball and Ross Detwiler.

And "the Yankee Clippard," Tyler Clippard:


Brian Cashman has admitted the Yanks made a big mistake, not trying Clippard out in the pen before giving up on him.

Reds photo day was yesterday. Not a bad pic of Paul Janish, though it makes him look skinnier than his bat.

Have not seen any photos of Tony Cingrani, aside from this one:


(That's him on the left.)

Strange how spring training photos are handled. Some teams don't release any, others have a ton. Though perhaps some teams haven't had their photo day yet. I thought for sure there would be some of Anthony Rendon.

Labels: Paul Janish, Tony Cingrani

The Yankees signed David Aardsma. He got a major league deal, at close to minimum wage.

The Yankees aren't expecting him to contribute this year (he had TJ surgery in July), but they have a team option on him for next year, and are hoping he'll be useful then.

Labels: David Aardsma

Pitchers and catchers have reported for most teams. Position players don't have to report until next week, but Paul Janish is already in Goodyear.

Anthony Rendon has reported already for the Nationals. He'll likely end up in A-ball, but he's okay with that.

Rendon may be part of major league camp, a designation he earned only by signing a major league contract out of the draft last year. But he knows he will begin his first professional season in the minors, perhaps Class A Potomac. His outlook could not be more different than the Nationals’ first pick in last year’s camp, Bryce Harper. Rendon’s primary goal this spring is to learn. His second is not to stand out.

“I feel like I’m a freshman back at Rice,” Rendon said. “I’m just going to be like a fly on the wall, see what everybody else does, see what I’m supposed to do, what I’m not supposed to do. I just want to be a fly on the wall, try to learn all these new ways.

“I’m more reserved. There’s a really high chance I’m not going to make this team. I’m not like, ‘Oh, yeah, I’m shooting to try to go straight to the bigs.’ I’m going to take my time and try to get used to this lifestyle.”

Speaking of Rice...I didn't get to the alumni game this year (had another commitment for that weekend). Just as well I guess, since the game was rained out. Sounds like the fans who showed up had fun anyway.

Labels: Anthony Rendon, Paul Janish

There's an article about Andy Phillips in the Alabama school paper.

Andy's back for a second year as Alabama's hitting coach. He seems to be enjoying his new role.

Labels: Andy Phillips