This is part of a 30-article series looking at each team’s depth chart headed into spring training. Washington Nationals Rotation 1. John Lannan 2. Jason Marquis 3. Scott Olsen 4. Miguel Batista 5. Craig Stammen 6. Ross Detwiler 7. Shairon Martis 8. Garrett Mock 9. Stephen Strasburg 10. Collin Balester 11. J.D. Martin 12. Matt Chico 13. Marco Estrada 14. Aaron Thompson Not that it’s saying much, but I liked it better before the Batista addition. The Nationals have indicated that he was signed for the rotation, but Stammen and especially Detwiler are better bets. Bullpen 1. Matt Capps 2. Tyler Clippard 3. Sean Burnett 4. Brian Bruney 5. Tyler Walker 6. Eddie Guardado 7. Garrett Mock 8. Jason Bergmann 9. Miguel Batista 10. Craig Stammen 11. Logan Kensing 12. Doug Slaten 13. Ryan Speier 14. Drew Storen 15. Joel Peralta 16. Collin Balester 17. Marco Estrada 18. Victor Garate 19. Luis Atilano 20. Jesse English The bullpen is an even bigger mess. Storen will eventually work his way up, but like Strasburg, he seems destined to open the season in the minors. I don’t have a lot of faith in Bruney, Walker or Guardado, but they’ll have to pitch their way off the team in camp. The Triple-A pen might be better than the major league pen at the start of the season.
Catcher 1. Jesus Flores 2. Ivan Rodriguez 3. Wil Nieves 4. Jamie Burke First base 1. Adam Dunn 2. Mike Morse 3. Chris Duncan 4. Josh Whitesell Second base 1. Cristian Guzman 2. Alberto Gonzalez 3. Willie Harris 4. Eric Bruntlett 5. Pete Orr Third base 1. Ryan Zimmerman 2. Eric Bruntlett 3. Mike Morse 4. Pete Orr Shortstop 1. Ian Desmond 2. Cristian Guzman 3. Alberto Gonzalez The Nationals want Orlando Hudson for second base, so the depth chart could be shaken up again. There’s also been talk of signing a first baseman and returning Dunn to the outfield, though I don’t think that’s going to materialize. The only spot here that’s completely set is third base. I’m listing Flores ahead of Rodriguez, but much of that will depend on how he looks in spring training as he continues his recovery from shoulder surgery. Left field 1. Josh Willingham 2. Willie Harris 3. Justin Maxwell 4. Chris Duncan 5. Roger Bernadina 6. Jerry Owens Center field 1. Nyjer Morgan 2. Justin Maxwell 3. Roger Bernadina 4. Willie Harris 5. Jerry Owens Right field 1. Elijah Dukes 2. Justin Maxwell 3. Willie Harris The outfield is in better shape. Maxwell is ready for an extended look in case of an injury and Harris remains a capable reserve. Joining those two and the backup catcher on the bench should be two from the group of Morse, Gonzalez and Bruntlett.
