[jaykno14]

(From Left to Right) Livan Hernandez, Esteban Loaiza, Tomo Ohka, John Patterson, and Zach Day will be the starting pitchers on the year for the Nationals.

Nationals Starting Pitchers

Our number one starting pitcher is Livan Hernandez, who is making $8 million through 2007. In the past Hernandez was known for the World Championhsip in Florida and for taking the Giants to the World Series in 2002. In 2003 he was brought on by the Nationals in late spring training in 2003 as a part of a four player deal. On his agenda he has a Fastball, Changeup, Curveball, and Slider. On a healthy year he will not have a problem at throwing 200 innings and recording an ERA around 3.50-4.00 with 15-18 wins. Hernandez's best year came in 2000 when he was 17-11 with a 3.75 ERA. The rotation all together is decent following him.
Second, we have starting pitcher Esteban Loaiza who was brought in on a $2.9 million deal for one year. Loaiza has struggled since having a 21-9 year witha 2.90 ERA in 2003 for the White Sox. Last year he was traded from the Yankees, who signed him to a contract before the season, back to the White Sox where he was 9-5 with a mediocre 4.65 ERA. Loaiza throws a 90 MPH fastball with a Changeup, Slider, and Curveball. Loaiza is an above average team's third starter and an average team's second starter. He won't walk many and won't strike out many, and is pretty even at the GB:FB ratio. I can expect about 6-7 innings per outing from him and a 4.25 ERA with 10-15 wins.

Our third starting pitcher is Tomkazu Ohka. Ohka was brought over from Boston in the 2001 season. He played in the Japan league for Yokohama from '94-'98 as a reliever. His best season came in 2002 when he was 13-8 with a 3.16 ERA. Ohka relies a lot on control and has the best control on the staff this year. In a good season, Ohka will win 10-12 games with a 3.75-4.50 ERA. Ohka's GB:FB ratio is 1 to 1 just like Loaiza's. Ohka throws a Fastball, Changeup, Curveball, and Slider, just like his other two companions.

The fourth starting pitcher in the rotation is John Patterson. Patterson was picked up off waivers last year from Arizona. Patterson appeared in 19 games last year, all starting, and recorded a 5.03 ERA with a 4-7 record. Patterson could someday be a number three or number two starter as he is only 27 years old. He makes $310,000 a year also. Patterson throws a 91 MPH Fastball, Changeup, and Curveball. He has a 3:2 groundball to flyball ratio. On a good year Patterson will win 8-10 games with a 4.50 ERA. I don't expect much out of him this year but in the future Patterson could be a key part in the Washington rotation.

The fifth and final starting pitcher is Zach Day. Day has been with the Nationals/Expos all of his career making his debut in 2002. Day has an amazing 7:3 GB to FB ratio, which is the best on the staff. Day has had control problems in the past and does not strike out very many batters. Day could be considered a better Jamey Wright becuase of his groundball ratio and his control ratings. Day will make $315,000 this year and is signed for only this year. Day throws a Fastball, Changeup, Slider, and Curveball. In a good year Day will have an ERA below 4 and 10+ wins.

Down on the Farm

Clint Everts is our best prospect in the minor leagues and is at A. Everts has the making of a staff ace and will throw in the 89-92 MPH range with his fastball. Everts looks to have excellent control and great movement. We hope that Everts is with the major league club by 2007 if not late 2006.

Our second best starting pitching prospect is Mike Hinckley who is currently on the DL but will most likely report to AAA once he is off. Hinckley looks to have great control and could evolve into a number two or number three starter, with the first being most likely. Hinckley throws a Fastball that usually tops out around 91 MPH.

Daryl Thompson is at A and is the third best starting pitching prospect in our system. Thompson could be a number four or possibly number three starter in his career. He throws a 94 MPH Fastball along with a Changeup and Curveball. It looks as though he could have above average control and movement.

The fourth and final starting pitching prospect is Collin Balester who is 18. Balester could be a bottom of the rotation starter and looks to have great stuff. His fastball tops out at 92 MPH. He will be at A for this year until he proves that he should be called up.

The best of the rest are Josh Karp who is at AAA and will be an emergency starter, Jay Bergman, Shawn Hill, Darrell Rasner, and Rich Rundles are all mid level prospects at AA.