BDB 2019: 73-89. Last place in Robinson Division
Let’s be honest, nobody wants to talk about the 2019 Nationals. Not because they were one of the worst teams of all time or anything of the sort, they were just sort of beige if you catch my drift. However, seemingly almost over night, everyone is talking about the Nationals, almost as if they turned to scarlet red!
The truth of the matter, it wasn’t just any night, but one particular night. The night was June 19th, 2020. That was the night, where after almost 20 years of wondering the BDB unknown, the Nationals became a “thing”.
So what happened on June 19th, 2020? It was the day of the trade. How significant was this trade for Ottawa? Well, to put it this way, Beaconsfield did more trades in 2020 then Ottawa has done in the last ten years. Think I am kidding, look it up! Ottawa said goodbye to Eugenio Suarez, George Springer and Liam Hendricks and welcomed Ozzie Albies, Zac Gallen, Ramon Laureano and Zach Plesac. Since that time, Ottawa has become a different team … Not only from the perspective to trades … they’ve since added Paul Goldschmidt, Trea Turner and Kenley Jansen, but a team that is now doing what it must to challenge for the BDB Title. They have gone from a team that had a knock being more afraid to lose, to one who wants to win.
BDB 2020: 88-74 – Beaconsfield may be the TOP Dog, but Ottawa is the Dog barking at their heels
Top Offence in Robinson, 4th in BDB / Third best starting staff in League / Third best Bullpen in League. What interesting is that their worst hitter, is historically their best player. Things are happy in Ottawa.
2020 STARTING STAFF | |
Jacob deGrom | 7 |
Dinelson Lamet | 6.8 |
Zac Gallen | 4.1 |
Carlos Carrasco | 4.1 |
Chris Bassitt | 3.5 |
Charlie Morton | 2.4 |
TOP 12 HITTERS | |
Trea Turner | 7.3 |
Mike Yastrzemski | 7 |
Paul Goldschmidt | 5.7 |
Wil Myers | 5.1 |
J.T. Realmuto | 4.6 |
Dylan Moore | 3.8 |
Willi Castro | 3.5 |
Ramon Laureano | 3.5 |
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. | 3.2 |
Nick Ahmed | 3 |
Wilmer Flores | 2.7 |
Nolan Arenado | 2.4 |
Roster Changes:
Gone: Santana, Villar, Springer, Choo, Paddack, Teheran
New: Dinelson Lamet (F), Zach Gallen (T), Trea Turner (T), Paul Goldschmidt (T), Will Myers (D), Dylan Moore (D), Willi Castro (D), Ramon Laureano (T).
Heading into the offseason, Ottawa’s strength was pitching. In fact, they had a glut of pitching. Check out their rotation … deGrom (2.40), Lamet (2.08), Gallen (2.73), Carrasco (2.89) and Bassitt (2.28) … so strong is the rotation, that Dave Barras has been able to catapult his team from a smidge over .500 to division contender. Out went Zach Pleasac and Chris Paddack for Trea Turner and Paul Goldschmidt.
Heading into the draft, the rotation was already set with deGrom, Lamet, Gallen, Carrasco and Pleasac. In fact, so strong was it, they decided to part with Pleasac to add Trea Turner and Chris Paddack to add Paul Goldschmidt. In addition to these trades, the team improved with their draft picks. The first being first rounder Wil Myers (.288-41-108) and youngsters Dylan Moore and Will Castro. Add that to the breakout season of Lourdes Gurriel and JT Realmuto, this team has an offense to compete with Beaconsfield. In fact, when the time comes, Ottawa has a few more bullets available to trade if the need be. Ozzie Albies remains on the bench along with Didi Gregorius, and Nate Lowe, the Young Texan slugger.
Hope for the Future
BDB 2021: 84-78 – Two games out from top spot.
Jacob deGrom | 5.9 |
Carlos Carrasco | 3.3 |
Charlie Morton | 3.2 |
Zac Gallen | 3 |
Dinelson Lamet | 2.8 |
Chris Bassitt | 1.9 |
Nolan Arenado | 4.8 |
Trea Turner | 4.7 |
Ozzie Albies | 4.1 |
J.T. Realmuto | 4 |
Ramon Laureano | 3.3 |
Jorge Polanco | 2.7 |
Paul Goldschmidt | 2.6 |
Rhys Hoskins | 2.5 |
Mike Yastrzemski | 2.4 |
Willi Castro | 2.2 |
Nick Ahmed | 2.2 |
Eddie Rosario | 1.8 |
BDB 2022: 84-78 – One game out of the top spot.
Jacob deGrom | 4.2 |
Zac Gallen | 3.7 |
Dinelson Lamet | 2.5 |
Carlos Carrasco | 2.3 |
Charlie Morton | 2.3 |
Randy Dobnak | 2 |
Ozzie Albies | 4.5 |
Trea Turner | 4.4 |
J.T. Realmuto | 3.6 |
Ramon Laureano | 3.1 |
Nolan Arenado | 2.8 |
Willi Castro | 2.5 |
Rhys Hoskins | 2.5 |
Jorge Polanco | 2.6 |
Didi Gregorius | 2.1 |
Mike Yastrzemski | 2.1 |
Nick Ahmed | 1.8 |
Eddie Rosario | 1.6 |
The reality is Ottawa is set for the next several years. The core is young and talented, and there are plenty of bats on the farm to come around and make an impact. Ottawa, being in a point of contention has no need to draft young players who might be good. Ottawa is about the “sure thing”.
Current Rookie ratings: Ryan Jeffers #85, Will Castro #255, Adonis Medina #274, and Randy Dobnak #377. NOTE – 2021 Rookie ratings are taken from a combination of ratings provided by Keith Law, Fangraphs, Baseball America, MLB Pipeline, ESPN and Baseball Prospectus. 2020 Rookie ratings taken from a Baseball Prospectus writer.
Top Rated Rookie: Ryan Jeffers #85 —“He could split time with Mitch Garver behind the plate in Minnesota. They might not get volume counting numbers, but they could enjoy a batting average north of .250, with a shot at 15-plus homers.”