And Batting Second For Your Washington Nationals, Nick (Nick) Johnson (Johnson).

by Patrick Reddington on Apr 16, 2009 2:33 AM EDT

If the rain had subsided even for a short time yesterday, allowing the Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies to sneak in the second of a three game DC series, I might have had a chance to meet Rob Dibble, and Nick Johnson, according to the lineup Washington Post writer Dave Sheinin posted this afternoon on the Nationals Journal, in an article entitled, "Rainout Ramifications", would have been hitting second in the Nationals' lineup against Philly right-hander Joe Blanton as Washington tried to win their first game this season.

Anderson Hernandez - 2B
Nick Johnson - 1B
Ryan Zimmerman - 3B
Adam K. Dunn - LF
Elijah Dukes - CF
Austin Kearns - RF
Jesus Flores - C
Alberto Gonzalez - SS

Now, Johnson's move to the 2-spot is, obviously, not the only change from what was the Nationals' Opening Day lineup...Anderson Hernandez, who was injured, is back at second for the injured (but due to return) Ronnie Belliard, Elijah Dukes is in at center for the Syracuse Chiefs' new CF Lastings Milledge, and Alberto Gonzalez is in for the injured Cristian Guzman at short, but moving Johnson to the 2-spot is certainly the most interesting adjustment. (ed. note - "With the refusal, even now, to play Willingham a close second...")

Johnson hasn't hit second since 2006, and then only in 2 games for the Nationals, and before that it was 15 games in 2005, 2 in '04, and you have have to go back to 2003 when he was still with the Yankees to find a significant sample of Johnson hitting second, when he took 237 of his 324 AB's behind another former Yankee and Nationals' leadoff hitter, Alfonso Soriano.

That season, in that spot, Nick Johnson hit .304, (72 H in 237 AB's over 64 games), with a .430 OBP, .502 SLG, 14 doubles, 11 HR's, 36 RBI's, (5 steals? Really? Nick?), 48 walks and 40 K's. Of course, an admittedly enhanced Jason Giambi hit behind Johnson for most of that season, so he probably saw his share of hittable pitches, but he still had to hit them, so his production's no less impressive. But let's not mistake Anderson Hernandez and his career .283 OBP for Alfonso Soriano, who, free-swinging as he is, still had a 38 HR's, 91 RBI's and a .338 OBP.

A change might do Nick Johnson some good, however, since, even though he has been exceptional defensively, he's shown no power in the first 6 games, with only 1 double, 1 RBI and 6 hits in 22 at-bats, and his baseball-reference.com page where I gathered most of these stats, which is sponsored by the Nationals Review, has a note wishing Johnson and his OPS well, (Maybe Doghouse can explain that joke to everyone in the comments section?)...though how much you can judge Johnson after just six games when he hasn't played regularly since May of '08 is a legitimate question...(ed. note - "He's worth it for his glove alone, but I'm sure Nick's bat will come around.")

It's Blanton going tomorrow against the Nationals according to most reports, so I imagine you'll see that same lineup, and Nick Johnson will get his first AB's in the 2-spot since 9/23/06.

Further Roster Adjustments And Notes And Links...

As MLB.com's Bill Ladson reported yesterday in an article entitled, "Nats call up Bernadina from Triple-A", Elijah Dukes' protege Roger Bernadina is on his way back up to the majors to replace Lastings Milledge on the roster. Shortly after Bernadina's promotion was reported, Steven at FJB, had an interesting article about the move entitled, "So What Message Does This Send", which asks exactly how the player Steven dubs "The Flailing Dutchman" is an improvement. Brian Oliver at the Nationals Farm Authority took a look, in a post entitled, "Jordan Zimmermann's Debut", at what the rainout meant to the impending debut of the Washington Nationals' right-handed sensation. Still no word from Bad Nats. (Boo!) estopple08 of 1500 South Capitol St. is following the Nationals from Japan, and he took a look back at the Nationals' stats over the first 7 games of '09 in a post entitled, "A Look Back At 7 Successive Defeats". (Pardon the loose translation estopple)...While over at mlbtraderumors.com, (as ROSCOEtheNATSfan kindly pointed out, thanks), there's a link to an article at the Chicago Sun Times, where writer Joe Cowley throws a hypothetical deal out there for everyone to ponder in a quick post entitled, "Rumor to Ponder", where Mr. Cowley suggests that the Sox should look at Washington's TAWH, The Amazing Willie Harris...And finally, Manny Acta on his MASN blog, reached out to the Nationals fans after the home opener in a post entitled, "Tough Start...Staying Positive", where he explains what he thinks has gone wrong so far and why he thinks the Nationals will get better. (ed. note - Are any other Managers in the league writing weekly blogs?")

They'll try it again tonight...just after 7:00 pm EST...Shairon Martis vs Jumpin' Joe Blanton. The Old Capital vs The Nation's Capital. Youth vs The WS Champs. Flores vs Ultey. DC vs Philly, don't tell me there's no rivalry. You strike Howard out this time, Sa-ool, alright?

Who's Watching The Nationals?

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Comments

I'm over 16,000kms away and I'm not going to mistake Anderson Hernandez and his career .283 OBP for Alfonso Soriano...

Nice write up. Would have been good to have a rundown on Lost. :=)

I’ll be watching (of sorts).

I’m tipping NNJJ to do well in the 2 slot. Nice contact hitter and he doesn’t need to do too much other than go the other way… he just needs a leadoff man to get on more than 4 in 23 times.

Prediction: Nats win next 5 games. (I’ll take odds).

"Baseball is like church. Many attend; few understand."

by Mezza on Apr 16, 2009 2:52 AM EDT reply actions

Wow, our pitching looks even worse in Japanese!

All you can see are the terrible, terrible numbers…

"We’re all neighbors in NatsTown™!" --NNN

by Doghouse on Apr 16, 2009 3:17 AM EDT reply actions

rofl.

Yep – I dont read Japanese, but it’s a fair guess that first column for pitchers isnt strikeouts per 9.

"Baseball is like church. Many attend; few understand."

by Mezza on Apr 16, 2009 3:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Bastante!

Sit Kearns and play Willingham before he rots away on the bench.

Statistics show…the impact of batting order is overstated. Yeah, let NJ bat 2nd, see what happens. RZ, Dunn, Dukes looks formidable on paper. Hell, Dukes looks formidable at the plate!

—

As to the question “Who’s watching the Nationals?” Not I.

This D.C. native can only stand so much pain, and I have had quite enough, thank you very much.

I went to Opening Day as an experiment to see who could stink up the field more: the Nats or the Marlins. Turns out it was the Nats. Milledge looked totally lost in the outfield, but at least I got to witness an inside-the-park home run unfold right in front of me. So glad the Nats jettisoned Boney-face and kept Milledge on the roster, because you can teach speed but hitting is innate. (Oh! Did I get that right?) At least the Milledge problem is being addressed.

Since then I have seen the “face of the franchise”, and the streaky shortstop, and the portly left fielder all stand around to watch the batted ball drop precisely in the geometric center of their little circle. Way to take charge out there Guuuuz! Other assorted miscues are left as an exercise to the reader.

Couple that embarrassing defensive play with impatience at the plate, and you have a team that is unwatchable.

Don’t get me wrong, I really had high hopes for the Nats this year. I really wanted to follow them to a 68 to 72-ish win season, I really did. But right out of the gate they looked like a AAA ball club and I can’t stomach that. It’s one thing to lose, it’s another to be an embarrassment and look downright unprepared and thus unprofessional.

So I have switched brands to my adopted hometown Marlins, who have exceeded expectations. I intend to enjoy this run while it lasts, before they return to the mean, because the Marlins are playing exciting baseball.

Who knows? Maybe the Nats want to challenge the Orioles’ 0-21 record from 1988?

by boteman on Apr 16, 2009 5:21 AM EDT reply actions

GOD BLESS YOU MY CHILD!

Sit Kearns and play Willingham before he rots away on the bench.

Agree wholeheartedly. Can the pocket protector people project how many runs the Nats aren’t scoring because The Willinghammer is rocking the pine?!

Willingham is probably stewing over there on the bench and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him offered as some kind of trade bait. Then you go from an overloaded outfield to worn out outfield. Man, I don’t understand the method behind the madness in NatsTown.

Hey! It’s a glorious day for a ball game! LET’S PLAY TWO!

" WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU'VE WITNESSED A GRAND HANDSHAKE PARADE? "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Apr 16, 2009 8:05 AM EDT up reply actions

2 runs. Over the whole season.

That’s the difference between Hammer and Bluegrass over 590 PA. Willingham has the bigger bat, but he gives up 11 runs to Kearns’ superior glove and cannon-arm.

"We’re all neighbors in NatsTown™!" --NNN

by Doghouse on Apr 16, 2009 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Cannon arm?

Surely you jest.

" WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU'VE WITNESSED A GRAND HANDSHAKE PARADE? "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Apr 16, 2009 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm not jesting.

And stop calling me Shirley. I checked the numbers and Hammer has a good arm, too—maybe better than Kearn’s (although he plays LF, an easier position for throwing). Too bad about the hole in his glove and that stake they tie his leg to in LF. (I know, I shouldn’t be so hard on him—it’s not like his fielding is Dunn-level).

"We’re all neighbors in NatsTown™!" --NNN

by Doghouse on Apr 16, 2009 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Received :-)

" WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU'VE WITNESSED A GRAND HANDSHAKE PARADE? "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Apr 16, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions

AAhhh. Airplane jokes never stop being funny...

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Patrick Reddington on Apr 16, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Post blog entry...

Tracee Hamilton thinks Xavier Nady being out for the season could be a trade opportunity to unload an outfielder. Anybody know Yankee prospects in pitching and 2B?

by RoscoeNats on Apr 16, 2009 10:16 AM EDT reply actions

I see that Guzman won't get the start today (says article above)

Anyone know how long he’s expected to be out?

" WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU'VE WITNESSED A GRAND HANDSHAKE PARADE? "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Apr 16, 2009 10:23 AM EDT reply actions

Something said he's healing quicker than they thought he would. Also, Belliard is available.

by RoscoeNats on Apr 16, 2009 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions

Maybe if Belli's back his better, he can actually bend down for grounders now...

…I’m sorry I just spent several hours on the highway…

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Patrick Reddington on Apr 16, 2009 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions

E inquiry mind gotta know, which exit ?

My Dad’s is from and lived in NYC, exit 16, I believe, Washington Bridge to Henry Hudson to Riverdale,Bronx,NY…that is the home of my American family. We won’t talk about my Honduran family…

by Berndaddy on Apr 16, 2009 4:35 PM EDT reply actions