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.