Roger Bernadina is Ready to Become a Household Name

by kbball813 on Jun 21, 2011 4:39 PM EDT

I took an in depth look into Roger Bernadina and all signs point to his star continuing to rise. Most people forget he lost an entire season to a fractured ankle in 2009(making an amazing catch in CF). If you factor that in and the Nats keeping him in the minors to start this season, it's no wonder he's not more widely known. Check it out here: http://www.hits4brains.com/2011/06/becoming-household-name.html

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Comments

I can't share the Shark enthusiasm

There’s lots of nagging issues with Bernie that make me think he’ll eventually be a reliable corner outfielder, but not a star, and certainly not a household name.

Rob

-- In baseball we trust.

by RobBobS on Jun 21, 2011 5:25 PM EDT reply actions

4th of at worst............

All I want to see is another full year playing in front of guys who are not going to be future pieces. Ankiel has been helpful. But he should only play vrs lefties in CF. Hairston should never play in front of BERNIE in LF EVER!!!!!!!

by artistfork on Jun 22, 2011 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Well I doubt he has past next June as a regular unless he proves he can play center.

Aim for the head baby Jesus

by Doncosmic on Jun 22, 2011 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Flashes of brilliance, then nothing. Baffling. He could be any kind of ballplayer, or no kind at all.

Don’t get me wrong: I’m a fan, and want to see Roger be great – he just hasn’t stepped up yet, on any kind’a steady basis.

"The key to winning baseball games is pitching, fundamentals, and three run homers." - Earl Weaver

by Whupass on Jun 22, 2011 12:28 AM EDT reply actions

I still think he is going to be a 4th OF at best, but that could change if he keeps hitting the rest of the year

by jeff550 on Jun 22, 2011 9:14 AM EDT reply actions

He already is a household name

In the Bernadina household that is…

by Pig.Pen on Jun 22, 2011 10:22 AM EDT reply actions

"'Roger'? Who's 'Roger'?"

Rob

-- In baseball we trust.

by RobBobS on Jun 22, 2011 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

(I wonder if the family calls him “Rogearvin”?)

Rob

-- In baseball we trust.

by RobBobS on Jun 22, 2011 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions

I think he's had a lot more productive AB's since getting into the leadoff spot earlier this year

Takes more pitches, fouls more stuff off, and last night’s AB against League sums it up for me otherwise. The old Bernie strikes out on the 1-2 count, while the new Bernie draws that walk. Do I think he’s a future all star? Doubtful. But I do think worst case (and yet most likely case) is that he’s a really solid 4th guy that will be extremely valuable depth on a contending team.

Like Morse though, I really do want to see how the rest of this season plays out being an everyday starter before I stick a label on them. Definitely seen the flashes of brilliance, but I want to see it every day rather than in sporadic moments. I really think once Ankiel gets back, Bernie still needs to be “the starter” if they’re ever going to find out what he’s worth.

by G8RB8 on Jun 22, 2011 4:55 PM EDT reply actions

Don't want to rain on the parade

But judging by Bernadina’s numbers he doesn’t look like anything more than a 4th OF, which every team needs.

by LUW on Jun 22, 2011 5:58 PM EDT reply actions

The jury is still out

He has the tools to be a very good player but he also has some major weaknesses that he needs to address. The big one is consistency. Another is his low OBP. If he is to become a leadoff hitter, he needs to walk more. Or take advantage of his blinding speed and bunt for base hits. Or try to become more of a contact hitter.

He has some power but if he’s trying to hit HRs, that could be preventing him from getting more singles and walks. For a leadoff guy, you want a lot more singles and walks. 12-15 HRs would be nice, but not if they cause him to alter his approach and get on base less often.

I think he’s better than Ankiel, but that’s not saying much. (Ankiel should only be a late-inning defensive replacement or a spot starter.) I don’t think Upton would be much of an improvement either. Bernadina doesn’t need to be a star. He would be perfectly acceptable as a capable leadoff hitter, base stealer and good defensive OF on a Nats team that will have plenty of other guys to carry the load (Zimmerman, Morse, Espinosa, Werth someday?, maybe Ramos, Harper in 2012 or 2013).

But can Bernadina play at that modest level? Yes, he can, but can he sustain that level of play for an entire season? I’m rooting for him to show that he can, but he still has to prove it.

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"Save it. I'm goin' for a smoothie."
The Washington Nationals, the team of the 2010s!

by Potomac Fan on Jun 30, 2011 5:58 PM EDT reply actions