Fantasy Baseball: 2015 Washington Nationals Fantasy Outlook

Mar 23, 2015; Melbourne, FL, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper (34) bats against the New York Yankees at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

Here we are! Pitchers and catchers have reported, and Spring Training is in full swing (pun intended). Most of us will start having fantasy baseball drafts very soon, and we here at Fantasy CPR are no different. It is time to dust off the notes from last season, and check out which players could have an impact on your fantasy league.

2015 Washington Nationals Projected Starting Lineup:

C: Wilson Ramos (.267, 11HR, 47RBI, 0SB in 88 games)
1B: Ryan Zimmerman (.280, 5HR, 38RBI, 0SB in 61 games)
2B: Yunel Escobar (.258, 7HR, 39RBI, 1SB with Tampa Bay)
SS: Ian Desmond (.255, 24HR, 91RBI, 24SB)
3B: Anthony Rendon (.287, 21HR, 83RBI, 17SB)
LF: Jayson Werth (.292, 16HR, 82RBI, 9SB)
CF: Denard Span (.302, 5HR, 37RBI, 31SB)
RF: Bryce Harper (.273, 13HR, 32RBI, 2SB in 100 games)

If Wilson Ramos could stay healthy, he would be a top ten catcher. He hits for a good average and has nice power. The lineup that he is in doesn’t hurt him either. Ramos could be a nice middle round pick if you miss out on the top tier of catchers. Just be aware that he hasn’t played more than 90 games since his rookie season of 2011.

The Nationals are hoping that moving Zimmerman to first base will keep him healthy. When he plays full seasons, he produces. In 2013, he hit .282 with 25 homers and 96 RBI. He is capable of hitting 25 homer and driving in 100. What little speed he has will be kept under wraps. The last thing the team wants to do is get him hurt stealing a bag. 3B is still a relatively weak position, and he is still eligible there. He is consistently being taken in the late 3rd to early 6th round, which could be a bargain if he stays healthy.

Yunel Escobar was acquired so they could move Rendon to third and Zimmerman to first. Escobar is a good defensive player, but he has not been much of an offensive threat in the last four years. He is for deep leagues only unless he proves that he can hit .290 again.

Desmond’s power/speed combo has fantasy owners drooling, and reaching for him in drafts. The batting average will hurt more than it helps if he struggles like he did last year. Still, Desmond is only 27, and has three straight 20-20 seasons. That kind of combination is hard to find, especially at SS. He is a solid late second or third round pick.

Rendon had a nice rookie season. He has the potential to go 30-20, or maybe even 30-30 if the Nats turn him loose on the bases. He will score you quite a few runs as well. He eligibility at both second and third base is going to be a big asset this year. Rendon is going in the second round of most drafts, and I can’t argue with taking him there.

Werth was quietly productive last year. His 30 homer, 100 RBI seasons are gone, but he can still hit around 15-20 homers and drive in 75-90 runs with a solid batting average. He is a nice addition late to your standard league outfield. He has no upside, but he isn’t just going to disappear either. You pretty much know what you’re getting.

Span is just keeping the seat warm for Michael Taylor. Taylor hit 23 homers and stole 37 bags in the minors last year while hitting .304. He didn’t do much with his September call up, but he is having a nice spring so far, and could take the CF job outright. Span may not be ready by Opening Day anyway, which could be the worst thing for the veteran. If he loses his spot in the everyday lineup, he might not get it back. Taylor is a good later round pick in standard leagues, and should be a popular target in keeper and dynasty leagues.

Harper remains a popular high pick in keeper and dynasty drafts. His balls-out style of play could land him on the DL a couple of times a year, but so far he has been able to avoid severe injury. Just be aware that he is likely to play closer to 120 games than 160 when you draft him. That has me taking him perhaps a little lower than most of my peers in drafts. I probably wouldn’t take him any higher than the late third round. OF is deeper this year than in the last few years.

If Yunel Escobar fails at 2B, there is always a chance that the Nationals move Rendon back there and call up Matt Skole. Skole hit 14 homers last year at AAA, and can play either corner infield slot. That is something worth keeping an eye on. Of course, the more likely scenario is that Danny Espinosa just takes the 2B job back. If he does, his power and speed combo make him a tempting add in standard leagues, but the average will hurt.

Next: Let's Take A Look At The Rotation

Mar 23, 2015; Melbourne, FL, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) in the dugout during the game against the New York Yankees at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

2015 Washington Nationals Projected Starting Rotation:

Stephen Strasburg (14-11, 3.14 ERA, 242K)
Jordan Zimmerman (14-5, 2.66 ERA, 182K)
Max Scherzer (18-5, 3.15 ERA, 252K)
Doug Fister (16-6, 2.41 ERA, 98K)
Gio Gonzalez (10-10, 3.57 ERA, 162K)
Drew Storen (2-1, 1.12 ERA, 46K, 11/14 saves)
Casey Janssen (3-3, 3.94 ERA, 28K, 25-30 saves)

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Who is the ace of this staff? One could argue that Scherzer has out-performed Strasburg, and in the American League! Strasburg and Scherzer are both good picks as the ace of your rotation. I value Scherzer a bit higher because he did all his damage in the American League, and he has three straight seasons of more than 230 strikeouts. Strasburg is a slighty better pick in dynasty formats, but you really can’t go wrong with either of them as your ace.

Even Jordan Zimmerman could pass as the ace of your fantasy staff, and you wont have to pay a premium for him. His win total should go up, and he has proven that he can keep his ERA under 3. He is a threat for 200 strikeouts as well. Just being the third starter means he will have more favorable matchups as the season wears on, which could enhance is win total even further. If you don’t feel like paying for the 50-75 extra strikeouts that Strasburg and Scherzer will get you, Zimmerman is usually available until the 7th or 8th round.

Doug Fister is the fourth starter. Let that sink in for a moment. He is the fourth starter with a 2.41 ERA and 16 wins! His ERA and wins should be around the same area as last year. He won’t wow you with strikeouts, but he is an outstanding middle of the rotation guy who will help you in ERA, WHIP, and wins. He is also a lower risk option. He has started 25 or more games in each of the last five years.

Gio Gonzalez is still a solid pitcher that is largely forgotten on this staff. Who wouldn’t take a fifth starter with an ERA around 3.5? He likely won’t hit 200 strikeouts again anytime soon because of his fifth starter status. His turn will likely be skipped a few times this year. He is still a good later round pick to fill out your rotation in standard leagues. He is also the most likely to be traded if injuries strike the offense and the Nats are in contention, which they should be. His spot could easily be filled by Tanner Roark (15-10, 2.85 ERA last year) or they could call up A.J. Cole.

Lucas Giolito wowed fans at the Futures Game last year, but he is likely still at least a year away from joining the rotation full time. First off, there is no room for him. Second, why rush him if you don’t have to? Giolito is worth a pick in dynasty leagues, but likely won’t be an asset anywhere else for at least another year.

Storen has not been a full time closer since 2011. He saved 43 of 48 games that year with a 2.75 ERA. There is no reason to think that he can’t put up similar, if not better, numbers now. Janssen is mostly insurance, and will be the eighth inning guy unless something happens to Storen. The chances of Storen losing his job are very low unless he gets hurt. Janssen’s peripheral numbers (.261 opponents average, 1.18 WHIP, ERA near 4) make you cringe.

Stay tuned to Fantasy CPR as we continue our team previews! Up next: The Phillies!

Next: 5 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers For 2015?

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