Grant and Danny
Dave Jageler Joins G&D To Preview Nats-Phillies
and we start with the nationals and our buddy Dave Jaggler who is on the call with Charlie Slows night in a night out right here on your flagship home for the Nats on 106 7 the fan Jags the team made the announcement today that the media awards have been doled out voting is done Luis Garcia is the hitter of the year Jacob Young's the good guy and Kyle Finnegan's the pitcher of the year. What do you think? Well, I mean, I think there were some obviously some interesting decisions there to make. I think the pitcher of the year was what do you favor? Finnegan did save over half their wins 38 of 69. I think Jake Hervin has the compelling case. He's been in the top five in the National League much of the year and innings pitched. There's some value there. So it's good to have choices and I think it speaks to hopefully it's better to have two good choices than oh boy, who do I check the box for? The player of the year, I mean, it's a shame that James Wood wasn't up here all season. I think it's tough to vote for a guy for player of the year for he'd be the player of the half year. It certainly looked like it was going to be CJ Abrams, but he tailed off in the second half. Garcia, for his credit, I mean, he came into this season kind of fighting for a spot. I mean, it seemed like the nationals were trying to replace him spring training. He held off the trade lips from charge in March and you know, had for him a career offensive season. But more importantly than that, he's been more consistent defensively. So is he an all star caliber player yet? No, but he's definitely made a tremendous strides over this year. And the key for him is can he build on this going forward? Not just kind of rest on the laurels of a good season and have a better season next year. Speaking of better seasons, I thought one was really in store for Cabo Ruiz this year Jags after hitting 260 with 18 bolts last year. And I know he got beat up a little bit by some of the metrics defensively, but it just felt like he was kind of steadily improving in that regard to me. Just just feels like it was never right for him at the dish, never maybe really comfortable and never really got going. And then there were moments like last night, I was trying to remember which royal it was, but that delayed steel just kind of catching him napping. He was catching the ball very nonchalant and great play by the Royals player to execute that perfectly done delayed steel shades of, you know, tray ternary and Desmond doing it to other people, but not a great year for Ruiz and what should have been kind of entering his prime mid twenties. Yeah, I mean, obviously careers are linear, Danny, but you know, guys improve and guys go down. I mean, you know, the Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez is at a down year after a big year last year, but this is a key off season. He's got to, you know, obviously he's got their contract. He's entrenched at the position. You know, now, you know, go out there and improve. And I think, you know, for him at the plate, there's just got to be, we talked about this with Garcia. And I think he did a good job of this. There's got to be better swing decisions. I mean, Ruiz has the incredible ability to hit pitches in the other batter's box and pitches that are going to hit him in the leg. But that's not always a good thing. Now, those are pitches you shouldn't be trying to hit. And he has to improve his plate discipline. If it's 5%, 10%, swing it better pitches and his chase rate on three to counts this year has been over 80%. At some point, you know, don't be afraid to get called out and strikes. And then pitchers know, hey, we don't have to throw him a strike to get him out. So there's, there definitely improvements that need to be made. But as you say, last year, you know, prove that there's, there's good things there. He does have power. He should be, you know, a 20 to 25 home or a year guy. And then, you know, defensively, I think probably the framing has been a little better. I mean, the, the top times and the, and the one knee catching, I think, has taken a little away from, from his throws. So hopefully maybe some, some arm strength in this year to be a little more competitive on, on stolen base attempts. Uh, it definitely, you know, this is a big off season for him to improve in all areas. Jags, one area where they made major strides this year was in the starting rotation. Last year, the year a collectively was over five this year, it was sub four and a half. And they got a lot of durability out of their arms. Ervin made 32 starts. Corbin as well. Gore is going to make his 32nd tonight. Mitchell Parker 29 starts. They really didn't have to use all that many starters as well. I feel like that should be viewed as a major win for them. Yeah, it has to be. I mean, it cut the home run rate. They've cut the walk rate. And that was the message you've got to get out in the strike. So that was delivered in spring training. And, you know, a lot was, was mentioned about, you know, Corbin and his last star yesterday, how he sets the tone of you've got to post. It doesn't matter if you have a good starter, a bad start. You've got to post every fifth day and, you know, Gore has been right, you know, right under his wing his time here. And I think Parker has taken that with, with his 29 starts. So do they need some fortification? Sure. I mean, you're going to lose 180 innings in Patrick Corbin. So how do you replace that? Knowing that Josiah Gray is not going to be available for much. It's not all of next season. Cade Cavalli has missed two years now. And even though he's feeling good now, how much do you count on for him next year? You know, hopefully maybe some fortification outside of the organization to help what has been a huge win this year because DJ hers and Mitchell Parker, they weren't on the radar to be big as big contributors as they've been this season. So that has been an organization to win. Gore finishing strong is positive. And Jake Urban being kind of the leader of the staff. So that's a good place to start. Now you hope those guys get better and you hope they can fill in around them. Jags, thank you. It was always forever great weekend. I will. And I'll miss you guys. I'm sure you'll be bringing my phone around April 1st. We better talk to you before. Yeah, we're going to bother you before then. Wow. You guys lose my number for six months. It's season of silence. No, you get that you that do not answer on that golf course, Jags. We know you. Dave, who what? Thank you, buddy. All right, guys. Talk to you. See you, pal.