CONTINUITY: Washington Nationals Coaching Staff Should STAY, Don't Make ANY Changes!

0:00This is the Lockdown Podcast Network celebrating 10 years of your team every day. No, the Washington Asheville should not make any changes to their coaching staff. You are locked on nationals. Your daily Washington Nationals podcasts part of the Lockdown Podcast Network your team every day. And welcome in a locked on nationals. I'm your host Ryan Clare. And we thank you for making us your first listen every single day. And later on in the show, the angels have recently had something happen to them that I desperately want for the Washington Asheville. So we'll talk about that later on. But in the second segment, I'm your honeymoon. I got what a hot start that guys had to his major lead career. We'll talk more about that later on in the show today. But I've seen a lot of noise right now surrounding people being upset with the nationals coaching staff and stop it.

1:10The Washington Asheville should not make any changes to this staff today. And I think that the biggest thing that the nationals need right now, there's a lot of different things. But the number one thing is continuity. I think with player development and establishing new systems and getting things right on track. This is not an overnight process. And this is not something that can be fixed in a week. It's not something that can be fixed over a summer. The nationals were a mess. And they have completely changed the trajectory of this organization. They are coming from an old school president of baseball ops, Mike Rizzo, which we love Mike Rizzo, building statue of him. But unfortunately the way that he did things was just a little outdated. And the nationals were not having success. And again, I've always said, you've got a building far from the nationals. You've got to be able to develop talent in order to compete. That is plain and simple right there. They lost that fastball in my opinion. So that's number one.

2:22And then number two, you have to have the proper coaching staff to be able to give these guys the coaching and development that they need. Baseball, unlike I think a lot of other sports, the alignment of your president to your head or to your manager to your pitching coach to your assistant hitting coach to everyone who in that organization, everybody has to be aligned. And I'm not saying that Mike Rizzo and Davey Martinez were not aligned. I think they were very much so aligned. But were some of the assistant coaches on the staff as aligned, probably not were the assistant GM's as aligned under Mike Rizzo, probably not. But I think right now this organization is in the spot where that everybody is aligned. Everybody believes in data and analytics and using that as a competitive advantage. You have to give this time and you have to give this coaching staff time. I get that the nationals are any seven game losing skin. And it's easy to look at this and say, what a disaster it has been as the nationals a month and a half ago were two games out of a wildcard spot.

3:40Like that's how good they were at one point or good mediocre, whatever you want to say, but they blew the expectations out of the water. And right now you find the nationals sitting in a spot where you're like, something has to change and something has to happen. A firing has to happen. Someone has to move on. This bullpen is a disaster. Someone has to have their feet held up to the fire with how bad this bullpen has been the worst bullpen in national history, which says a lot. But we're not there at this point. If the nationals had a bunch of talent in the bullpen. Like let's say they had a top 10 talented bullpen in baseball or forget that even a top 15 talented bullpen and they had the results of this. Let's talk about it. But you cannot say right now that the nationals have had a top 25 talented bullpen. You can't say that.

4:45The guy that I was excited about this year was Clayton Beater. I was wrong about Clayton Beater. Clayton Beater has not been good. He has not been consistent. He does not have good command when he misses. He misses middle middle. That is a problem. That is something that the coaching staff can help develop and get them in the right situations. Absolutely. But that is not something a pitching coach can fix. That is not something an analytics guy can necessarily fix. We're upset with Clayton Beater for being Clayton Beater. And unfortunately he's kind of capped and catch in the shrapnel here. But that's the reality of the situation. You have to have continuity in this organization. And I do believe in what this coaching staff has done. We have seen it a lot more on the offensive side of things. But we knew that this offense was talented. You saw what Dale and Lyle did last year.

5:48You believed in an all star with CJA Abrams. You knew that James Wood was a face of this organization. We knew all those things. We knew that Luis Garcia Jr. had the potential to be a good major league hitter. You thought that Brady House would be that right handed power back. They have talent on offense. They have a lot of young talent. But as far as pitching goes, they don't have nearly as much talent as what they have on the offensive side of things. And that's right now, I think the big difference with the nationals because you can say and you can use this argument and it's a fair one. We'll try and look at the development on the offensive side of things compared to the pitching side. You're right. But the most talented guy of all these pictures is Kate Cavali. Kate Cavali has developed pretty nicely this season and has looked like a legit ace at times.

6:49That is someone who is very talented and he has developed up in the major leagues. That is a homegrown talent that this group has really helped improve this season. That's just one of the guys. I think again, Yovani Cruz. If you gave him 162 games, that'd be really intrigued to see where he ends up. With this nationals bulldoven and how he ends up over 162. But unfortunately, that's not the case at this point. This is still a very young group. Young group of players, a young group of coaches, a young group of executives. We should not be trying to fire anybody at this point in time. You should be making this a goal as to continue on with this organization. Have the same coaching staff in place. Continue the continuity. And a continuity is going to be a word that I think you will hear a lot this all season. But there should not be any major changes to anything. I think they're obviously you would like to see the nationals address the bullpen in the off season, make some savvy signings, make some trades.

7:59Who knows what will happen. And I think they will do exactly that. But with this young group of coaches, you cannot make a significant move yet. This is not something that is going to be fixed overnight. This is not something that's going to be fixed in one season. This has still been a successful year for Blake Miterra. And I get it for the bullpen in particular. Hand up. I've been frustrated at times with some of the moves that Miterra has made. I have been the one saying, I don't understand this bullpen move. Why do you keep going back to Clayton Beater and close ball games. And earlier on this season, a lot of the moves just did not really make sense. And I think sometimes analytics as much as I love it, you also got to have a feel for the game. And I do kind of wonder if that is something that Miterra has learned from this season. Because he's obviously an analytical guy grew up in the race organization, Paul Tabone coming from the Red Sox, clearly an analytical guy, on E. Colombe coming from the Phillies, clearly an analytical guy.

9:05These are all things within the organization that I love analytics. It's what I asked for. But you also have to have a feel for it. And that is a fair question to have. But right now, again, I am not making any major changes. I think what the nationals have done this season, it's worked. They have blown away our expectations. In this coaching staff is already new. It's young. A lot of these guys came from the drive line. Like they don't have any majorly experience in a clubhouse. Blake Buterra, the manager, doesn't have any majorly experience in the clubhouse. You've got all these different things, but this season was about an evaluation. That's just the reality of the situation. And I think we kind of lost, took our eyes off the ball a little bit because the nationals were in the wildcard race. We were talking about potentially buying. We were talking about them potentially playing in October baseball.

10:07But this is still about development. For the coaching staff, for the players, for the front office, for the vending machine guys out in right center field. Everything was new. And you cannot make any changes to this staff. It would do a lot more her. It would be, in my opinion, detrimental to this player development group. Because we have seen when you give them talent, they are able to develop that. And yes, not everybody has developed and looked better than what they did last season. But a majority of them have. And that is kind of what you wanted to see this season. They are at the what 68 win or 67 win mark. Yes, they've lost seven straight games. But also they just played the Dodgers and the Padres on the West Coast. Those are two better teams. It's just the reality of the situation. I'm not looking to make any changes this all season. And that's just a little bit of a preview of what's to come right here on Lockdown Nationals.

11:13But next, I do want to talk about Johanim Rouse because the more he rakes in the majors, the more upset that I would be if I were yo-yo. Let's talk about that right after this. You've waited all law season for this. And now it's time to make every NFL week count because Fandall is making this your most rewarding season ever. Whether it's back new favorite team, building a same game parlay or betting player props or making picks on the biggest matchups. Fandall gives fans more ways to play throughout the season. And for anyone who's new to Fandall, there's an even bigger reason to make this NFL season count. And for new customers, it gets even better. Get $350 in bonus bets guaranteed when you bet $5 every day for seven days. And I've been looking at this Eagles commanders matchup and I love a Terry McClure and anytime touchdown prop. I also love the under in that game. I'm going to do a little same game parlay with our friends at Fandall. It makes watching the game so much more fun. And of course, the start of football season, you never know what's going to happen.

12:20Give me a Terry anytime touchdown. Even you know what? Maybe a step on digs anytime touchdown as well. So get $350 in bonus bets guaranteed when you bet $5 every day for seven days. That's right. Bet $5 each day and get $50 in bonus bets every day for seven days. Visit Fandall.com to get started. Make this your most rewarding season ever with our friends over at Fandall. We're back here on Lockdown Nationals. If I'm Johan de Morales, I would be pretty upset with what has gone on with him with yo yo and what he has done so far in the majors. And his first 19 at bats. He's got two home runs, a 737 slug and a 1053 OPS, two home runs, two RBIs, two doubles. And he's just looked really good so far. But I do think there's more to the story with this. Yes, Johan de Morales, the staff kind of went viral amongst that Twitter and Johan de Morales this season could not hit high velocity pitches when it came to fastballs.

13:28And the exact number was he was hitting only 143 with a 41% with rate against pitches that were 93 miles per hour plus in triple A this season. And the majors that is that's what you have to do you have to hit velocity. And so I get it. But if you look at his numbers as well. And again, I think we kind of get lost in the analytics of things at times. He was still crushing the baseball had an 881 OPS a 519 slug wasn't getting on base the rate that you would like to see but hit 25 home runs at 140 games this season. Like those are really good numbers. And at times you do kind of wonder why did the nationals not call them up sooner and was that the correct decision. I don't think it was the correct decision. But also Johan he should have been up in the majors last year. He should have been up in the bigs at the middle of last summer. In fact, in my opinion, at least.

14:31I think the whole like calling people up and just to kind of give him a small opportunity that's I'm not a big fan of it. And here's why. For guys that for a law season. You want to give opportunities to everybody everybody. And I think yo yo is one that earned that last season. And the nationals did not call them up. And I think that kind of shows you what the organization kind of thought of them then. And then you know, I think that's why I think the nationals have a process. And I think they do right now really think of things from an analytical standpoint. And then we see that they're prospects already. And we've seen them kind of be patient in this past season with calling guys up and not just flying them through the minors, unless you're Eli Will it's because you're a star player.

15:40But Johan is a guy that it's always just kind of puzzled me as to why they never called him up. If our yo yo I'd be pretty upset. And this guy is now getting the opportunities that he number one deserves. Where has this been now kind of doing the deep dive of it and kind of tying this back in this past segment. I think if the nationals were in a spot where there were one of the worst teams in baseball for a bulk of early on this season. And they were struggling in the offense wasn't the best in baseball. You'd have probably seen the ojani get called up pretty quickly. But they wanted to give this guy at bats out of the minor leagues. The nationals for most of the season had the best offense in baseball. Truly that the best most potent offense in baseball leading the league and slugging leading the league and bad like they were just crushing the baseball for most of this season. Why fix something that's not broke. And the nationals offense was not broke. And if you were to make some changes like with Curtis me when he was in the nationals lineup every single day.

16:51If you were to take that that's away from Curtis me and what he was doing here for yo Hanne morale is just to see what you had. That wouldn't have been fair to Curtis me that would have been would not have been fair to the nationals and it wouldn't have been fair to this fan base. Curtis me was crushing the baseball. So I kind of understand why the nationals did not in hindsight. Like before this season I'm like give this guy an opportunity to compete give him a chance to at least try to make the squad an opening day. And it felt like the nationals never really gave him that full opportunity. But now that he has that he is looking the part of a major league hitter. But is this sustainable. That's kind of the next question that I think we have to answer because even if he has great numbers this month and even then the nationals are expected to make a lot of changes with their roster this off season. You can't just go into this thinking oh yo yo is going to be a roster lock on the 26 man next season.

17:52Maybe they want to give this guy at bats down to the minor still. And can they guarantee him to get consistent every day at bats up in the majors. Probably not. And that is a real big focal point in my opinion here, especially for this group. They don't want to just send guys to the majors and have them sit on the bench. It's not worth it to this group and I get that point like Naseem Nunez for instance. You could say the same about him. Naseem Nunez is clearly a gold glove defender like that is what he is. He could win a gold glove at shortstop and it would not surprise anybody. He could win a gold glove at second. It would not surprise anybody. And heck if you've moved in the outfield I'm willing to bet you will probably figure it out and be a well above average outfielder. But we know what he is as a hitter. And so that's why it's like okay you're fine leaving a guy like Nunez on the bench. And even then in years past a guy like Jacob Young you're fine leaving him on the bench as well.

18:52But yo yo is a guy that needs consistent at that's and is not necessarily known for his defense. So it really plays no point as to having this guy up in the bigs and just giving him everyday opportunities. Because those opportunities would not be there for yo yo. And so while he has been crushing the baseball I do think there are. Kind of struggles and worries about what his future is here. Like I think this group still believes in Brady House. I still think this group believes in the first based tandem of abuorities and Andres Chaparo. But there should be an open competition at least in spring trading for yo yo and Chaparo of competing fat opening day right handed position right handed bat out of that first base. And that should be at the very least for this group. But it is still jarring with all those reasons as to why I listed.

19:52How did yo yo finally make his debut at 24 years old when he's been crushed in the baseball the way that he has the past few years. It just as made no sense. And I think that the high velocity is absolutely an issue batting 140 with a 40% with rate against fastballs above 93 miles per hour. Like yes, that is an issue. But the guy hit 25 home runs seem pretty major league ready to me. Now he's getting his opportunity. And now he's starting shine up in the bigs. But next let's talk about this. I'm jealous of you angels fans. Let's talk about that as to why I am right after this. A big thank you to our friends at Amazon for this limited break in this back to school season spend less on your kids with Amazon. We all know how crazy the back to school shopping experience can be. It starts with a few items in the list and then suddenly you're shopping for supplies clothes lunch gear tech and about 10 other things that you didn't see coming. It adds up fast.

20:57And when you are buying that school supply list, it is a tough one to get because you're going trying to go to different stores. They're out of everything because everybody's trying to get it. But you don't have to wait in those long lustry lines any war. You can go to our friends at Amazon and check all those boxes off your school supply list and even get some clothes for the best prices possible. Amazon has got great deals, but even more importantly, they are convenient in the list of everything that you need. I promise you they will have an in stock and it gets shipped right to your door easy peasy no long lines, no rude customer service. You get our friends at Amazon the best deals possible. So remember with Amazon's low back to school prices just spend less on your kids because every dollar you don't spend on them is a dollar you haven't spent on them. Shop back to school at Amazon and spend less on your kids. And welcome back in I am jealous of you LA Angels fans as already Marino has finally sold your team.

22:07It came out a few weeks ago that sports enterprise owner Stan Krocki who owns the LA Rams among some other teams. He has agreed to purchase a controlling interest in the LA Angels from long time owner, already Marino. Now, already Marino has been a brutal owner over the years and the Angels have been one of the worst organizations in the sport. They had Mike trout in show, he attorney at the peak of their powers and failed to make the playoffs fail to advance in the playoffs. They've spent money they've done different things, but they still have not had any success, especially throughout Mike trout's career and especially throughout show, he attorney's career. Those are two of the most talented guys that I have ever seen, but now you've got this new fresh clone around the organization, new owners, new hope, a good owner Stan Krocki who's had a lot of success with the LA Rams.

23:10I'm jealous because the nationals they need that that is what this nationals group needs and I think that there's a lot of different things to monitor with the nationals. Number one, this lockout. I think the lockout will have a pretty big effect on this organization for a couple of different reasons. Number one, if there is a salary floor that has put in place in a salary cap, that makes this team a little bit more competitive and with where this payroll is a bottom five payroll on baseball, you would think that this group is going to spend more cash. That's number one. Number two, maybe the nationals put the team back for sale and who knows, I don't know this for a fact, but who knows, maybe they have a pending deal in place for let's say there's an owner out there or a potential owner out there that is like we're going to buy the nationals for 3.9 billion, whatever it is, 4 billion, just like the angels sold for Stan to Stan Krocki.

24:15Maybe there's a deal in place already. You never know. Maybe I'm just being hopeful. Maybe it's just a Friday. I'm jealous because the angels now, if you're an angels fan out there, you have probably never had hope in your organization. You have seen the best player player in baseball, the best player that we have ever seen, one of the most talented athletes that we have ever seen, play any single sport, show, heo, tawny, walk down the street and play for the LA Dodgers and as one multiple MVP's probably going to win another one. That's a tough site to see. You have wasted the career of Mike Traub. No playoff success whatsoever in the last two decades at this point. Group and where they are. A new ownership with signal new hope for this franchise and a new hope that maybe the nationals will have a top, forget 10 payroll, top 15 payroll, a top 20 payroll.

25:24Maybe they could do that, but I'm not convinced of it. But who knows you never know. So the angels I envy where you're at right now, especially getting a note or like Stan Krocki in the building. That is a site to see to say the least, but you guys have a good one. Enjoy this angel series as the nationals hopefully can snap their seven game losing skin with a really bad angel staff. So we'll talk more about that series on Monday, but until then have a good one. Go dance. Sometimes you just want a little boost in something that tastes fun. That's where cotton candy five hour energy shots come in bringing back that classic nostalgic flavor with a modern twist because these cotton candy five hour energy shots don't just taste good. They deliver a tasty caffeine kick and a convenient zero sugar energy shot you can take anywhere. It's perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth who doesn't want the sugar guilt afterward.

26:24Bring on the sweetness of cotton candy five hour energy shots available now online at five hour energy dot com or Amazon. That's cotton candy five hour energy shots available at five hour energy dot com or Amazon. Thank you for making locked on your first listen every day for your second listen, find the all night locked on MLB game night every game every night until a world series champion is crowned. Get local analysis on a national scale find MLB game night on locked on MLB on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts.