Hunter Martin - Getty Images
8 months ago: PHILADELPHIA - SEPTEMBER 20: Second baseman Stephen Lombardozzi #1 of the Washington Nationals throws to first base during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on September 20, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
23-year-old, Fulton, Maryland-born infielder Steve Lombardozzi was drafted out of St. Petersburg College in St. Petersburg, Florida 571st overall in 2008 with the Washington Nationals' 19th Round pick. Over four seasons in the Nats' system since he was selected the 6'0'', 170 lb switch-hitter has a .298/.369/.411 line with 90 doubles, 28 triples, 17 HR's and 74 stolen bases in 447 games and 2,001 plate appearances. Last year, at two stops in the Nats' organization with Double-A Harrisburg and then Triple-A Syracuse, the then-22-year-old second baseman (who turned 23 in September and played a little short) had a combined .309/.360/.430 line with 25 doubles, nine triples, eight HR's and 30 stolen bases.
Defensively, Lombardozzi had a .996 FLD% in 122 games played in 2011. The son of former major league infielder Steve Lombardozzi (MIN, HOU) made just two errors in 66 games at Double-A, and he played 59 games at Triple-A without making an error.
Lombardozzi earned a call-up to the major leagues last September, where he made his MLB debut against the LA Dodgers on September 6, 2011. The infielder looked overmatched early, going 0 for 15 before connecting for a two-out RBI single off Mets' right-hander R.A. Dickey to drive in the winning run in a 3-2 Washington win over New York. After collecting his first hit, Lombardozzi was 5 for 15 over the final seven games of a 2011 campaign which resulted in him being named the second-best infield prospect behind 2011 1st Round pick Anthony Rendon (and the highest-ranked middle infielder) in the Nats' system on Baseball America, MLB.com and Keith Law's list of the Nationals' top prospects for 2012.
Baseball America recognized Lombardozzi as the Best Defensive Infielder in the organization. "The son of the former big leaguer," the MLB.com's scouting report says, "... knows how to play the game the right way and all of his tools play up because of his all-out style and baseball IQ." MLB.com's scouts predict a utility role in Lombardozzi's future. The Nats' farm director, Doug Harris, told MLB.com's Jon Star last month in an article entitled, "Lombardozzi made great strides with Nats in '11", that he was impressed with the season Lombardozzi had last year, saying the young infielder was, "'... extremely well prepared, very detailed in his work and preparation, both offensively and defensively,'" before noting as most reports on Lombardozzi do, that, "'[He's] not blessed with the biggest tools, but gets the most out of who he is.'"
ESPN.com's Keith Law wrote on Twitter that he sees Lombardozzi as a future utility man in the majors as he noted when the Nats' infielder's name came up in trade talks last July. Lombardozzi wasn't dealt, of course, and he was awarded a Rawlings Gold Glove Award for his defensive work in 2011. Minor League Ball's John Sickels praised the infielder and gave him a (B-) grade in his Top 20 Prospects list this past January, writing that Lombardozzi, "Plays above his tools and will likely continue to do so. Terrific defense and bat keeps improving."
Baseball America's Aaron Fitt told MASNSports.com's Byron Kerr this winter in article entitled, "Baseball America's top Nats prospects - No. 10: Steve Lombardozzi", that the Nats' infielder has, "... the unique combination of hitting and defense that could make him a consistent player at baseball's top level." Nats' skipper Davey Johnson, asked earlier this winter if the Nationals needed to be active in the free agent and trade market, told ESPN980 hosts Kevin Sheehan and Thom Loverro that he thought Washington could fill some roster needs from within.
"As far as I'm concerned, I think the parts that we have in the system are there," Johnson said, "Maybe utilizing them on the major league level may be a little bit of a rush, but [at] this day and time, I always like to see guys come from within the system, they've earned the right to compete at the major league level and they have the talent."
Davey Johnson told the Washington Times' Amanda Comak this winter that if Lombardozzi was on the major league roster in 2012, "... they'd have to know they'd be able to get him a lot of playing time," as Ms. Comak wrote. "'When you carry a young player that has the talent that Lombardozzi does, I'd have to get him in a lot of games,' Johnson said. 'I can do that if it's just one young player.'"
Lombardozzi and 23-year-old Venezuelan-born infielder Carlos Rivero, who had a .270/.326/.440 combined line at Double and Triple-A in the Phillies' system last season and was claimed off waivers from Philadelphia this winter, are the only two middle infielders on the Nats' 40-Man roster after presumptive starters Ian Desmond and Danny Espinosa.
27-year-old former Royals, Cubs and Rangers' infielder Andres Blanco signed a minor league deal and was invited to Spring Training. In 235 games over six MLB seasons, Blanco has a .255/.301/.333 line. 28-year-old infielder Jarret Hoffpauir signed a minor league deal as well. The right-handed hitting infielder has just 21 major league games on his resume, but he had a .281/.356/.428 line with 26 doubles in 91 games and 356 PA's at Triple-A in the San Diego Padres' system where he played second, short, third and left. Whether or not it's the best thing for his development, Lombardozzi looks like the best option for the utility role on the 2012 Nats' roster.
Asking a 23-year-old to fill that role? Any chance Lombardozzi bumps Ian Desmond out of the infield? There's a certain segment of Nats fans, frustrated with Desmond's slow development and impressed by Lombardozzi who are waiting for the day, but for now Lombardozzi appears to be blocked. "Good teams always have good players who are blocked!" Washington Post writer Thomas Boswell wrote in a chat last November, "That's one reason you know the Nats are probably about to become a good team."
"Lombardozzi is blocked," Mr. Boswell continued, and he then put Lombardozzi on a list of players that would have started for the Nats in the years past. "Three years ago, Norris, Lombo, Peacock and Milone might have all been starters next Opening Day," the WaPost writer noted, "with [Anthony] Rendon and [Matt] Purke being pushed fast to the majors." Is it a bad sign for Lombardozzi that the other three MLB-ready players Boswell mentions were dealt this winter?
0 recs | 78 comments
Given the black hole around the majors at the SS position the Nats should trade Desmond
This year a major league team will once again trot Unisky Betancourt out to SS nearly every day. The Giants, a playoff contender will probably run out Brandon Crawford day to day at SS, even though his batting average may not eclipse the Mendoza line. Somehow, the Nats have two SS in Desmond and Espinosa and two good young SS’s at that. If Lombardozzi can stick at the big league level the Nats need to deal a SS for a CF. My preference would be Desmond, mainly because Espi’s defense is better and I’m all for defensive SS’s. Still, to hang on to two SS’s is just wasteful in this day and age.
Pig.Pen - February 17, 2012
Wasteful?
I would think it’s a good thing to corner the market on valuable commodities like ML shortstops (and catchers, for that matter). There’s absolutely nothing wrong with sending Lombardozzi down to AAA to get a full season there, see how Espi and Desi develop at the ML level this year, and THEN decide what to do with the “embarrassment of riches”.
RobBobS - February 17, 2012
Some of the talking heads I’ve seen/heard think Lombo will likely make the squad as a utility infielder. Also, they say Davey does a good job at getting his utility guys a good amount of ABs. Late 2011 was different because he was still evaluating his team’s talent.
We’ll see.
RoscoeNats - February 17, 2012
Normally I would agree
But I think there’s enough talent in the minor league’s at the SS position that waiting a year will mean selling low. I don’t think they absolutely have to do this, but if they’re thinking of using Lombardozzi as a utility infielder then they should just make a deal already. Also, while Espinosa has great deal of power, I’m not sure he’ll hit enough to be an elite 2B, but he will hit enough to be an elite SS.
Pig.Pen - February 17, 2012
I'm lost
You said before that hoarding shortstops is wasteful; now you say there’s plenty of SS’s available (or soon to be available).
If a team is in need of a SS this season but has a player in the wings probably available for 2013, then Desmond (or Espi or Lombardozzi, for that matter) won’t be worth all that much to said team.
RobBobS - February 17, 2012
Clarification
I think there are several SS’s who will be ready in 2013 and several more that will be ready in 2014, which means that if you wait a year everyone is one year closer, while few of the elite or everyday SS’s will have retired. Hence supply will increase and demand will decrease.
Pig.Pen - February 17, 2012
Plus you get to see how realistic Rendon-to-2B might become, or at least get a better idea of what you have in him.
brs03 - February 17, 2012
Well
If Desmond continues to hit in the mid .600s and doesn’t make another leap in error reduction….how valuable of a commodity is he?
Bsullivan - February 17, 2012
Shrug.
If Desmond is REALLY as bad as you say, then he’s not going to be valuable today or next year. Still, his 1.1 bWAR from last year, even if he doesn’t improve on it this year, makes him a serviceable MI option for most teams in the Majors, including the Nats.
RobBobS - February 17, 2012
To be clear I am not saying Desmond lacks potential
But to date he hasn’t been good enough. I just think we need to hedge our bet more than place all the cards on him. Which would mean more at bats for Lombardozzi to see what we have. And a shorter leash on Desmond.
Bsullivan - February 17, 2012
Well, I certainly wouldn't want to keep Desmond playing at a 1.1 WAR level for the Nats the rest of his career
We already have one Adam LaRoche on the team.
RobBobS - February 17, 2012
Don't forget JWerth!!!
Also, being 1.1 bWAR at SS means that you’re one win better than Jack Wilson.
Pig.Pen - February 17, 2012
Lombardozzi needs to be in the majors.
He needs to prove that he can hit for average in the majors.
chubias - February 17, 2012
He has a half season in the AAA
And it was a good but not fantastic stint. I think he can use that extra seasoning.
RobBobS - February 17, 2012
A little nutmeg and clove
couldn’t hurt thats for sure, but Davey seems to be giving the impression that he can stick in the MLB and get him enough at bats as a utility player. if that is actually his forecast as a player then perhaps we should see if he can thrive in a utility role as well.
alot of options thats for sure.
Bsullivan - February 17, 2012
But even if his bat needs seasoning
His glove does not. Keep in mind he won the gold glove award this past year.
Bsullivan - February 17, 2012
The other concern is that Espinosa plays a bit like Pete Rose
Which i love. He is a hard nosed player. That certainly opens the door for injuries. There are reasons why players like Manny Ramirez manage to stay on the field.
I’d have to assume it costs him games in a season to come. It may open the door for someone like Lombo to play.
So maybe this whole Desmond argument won’t be needed, just saying. I certainly don’t hope for him to get injured.
Bsullivan - February 17, 2012
Pete Rose played a long, long time
And it wasn’t just because his manager really liked him (although late in his career that was certainly true!). So the hard nosed approach sometimes works out.
d_c_guy - February 17, 2012
Good point...
and all those HBPs add up. One time one of those will hit one of those hamate bones or a tendon sheath.
RoscoeNats - February 17, 2012
Didn't he already suffer a hamate injury?
Or am I thinking of someone else?
RobBobS - February 17, 2012
HA!
Yes. And it was removed. So potentially the other hand?
Hamate bone breaks (I think), more from repetitive swinging and the knob of the bat than by hit by pitches. But I don’t really know.
Bsullivan - February 17, 2012
Dang. Well, in that case, he's good.
I worry about him taking one right on the wrist or side of the knee.
(My most embarassing baseball injury was a bunt…went straight down and came up and clocked me under the chin. No broken teeth, just a big bruise.)
RoscoeNats - February 17, 2012
I broke my arm pitching once
It wasn’t embarrassing, exactly, but I don’t recommend it.
d_c_guy - February 17, 2012
OUCH
From the throwing motion or did a ball come back at you. I still can’t get the memory of Dave Dravecky, Tom Browning or even Tony Saunders out of my noggin. (Or Theismann)
RoscoeNats - February 17, 2012
It was a Browning/Saunders kind of deal
Throwing a fastball and my arm snapped, a spiral fracture of the humerus. I had been a couple of years away from the game, and then piled up a LOT of innings/pitches that summer. The Doctor said that the repetitive stress caused a stress fracture to develop which went undetected until the bone failed.
A year and a half later I was playing infield when the same thing happened to a teammate. My gf at the time said she wasn’t sure what had happened until she saw the look on my face. Then a few years after that it happened to another guy on the Generals (the team name); we started calling it “Generals Disease.” I still play, although not on the same team. Maybe that’s why it hasn’t happened since :-)
d_c_guy - February 17, 2012
I hope General's Disease has been wiped out.
RoscoeNats - February 17, 2012
Dravecky
I was at the game when he made his comeback from cancer, still the most electrifying and emotional game I’ve ever been to, including playoffs and WS. I was watching on TV when he broke his arm shortly thereafter and I cried my eyes out. My mom didn’t know what to do. Still, kind of chokes me up just thinking about it.
Pig.Pen - February 17, 2012
That comeback is still such an amazing story...
RoscoeNats - February 17, 2012
My worst baseball injury happened at worst time
It was during the 7th game of a playoffs series. The game was tied in the bottom of the ninth, my team was in the field, bases loaded, two outs, 3-2 count against the other teams best hitter. I was I the stands keeping score when I got a paper cut right next to the nail on the index finger of my writing hand. Man did that hurt. I still cringe thinking about it.
PerryMason - February 18, 2012
#scarredforlife
Hey, PM, I need your input on the National Anthem thread – looking for locations, trying to figure out a time for the actual recording. Have you talked to your daughter? I need her to get in touch with me if she’s interested in joining our happy crew.
d_c_guy - February 18, 2012
HBP's
Didn’t seem to hurt Craig Biggio’s career.
Pig.Pen - February 17, 2012
There's probably a talent for it that as yet has been unexplored by the SABR community
Being able to take one for the team, in a way that’s not too painful or dangerous, is something a few players over the years were able to master. Some guys just get hit a lot, which is a different thing.
RobBobS - February 17, 2012
I think Espi is one of those guys
I don’t remember anything getting close to hitting his hands or forearms, which are the worse places to get drilled from an injury standpoint. Getting hit in the shoulders, butt or thighs just hurts, but your femur is nearly as strong as steel and your butt has a lot of padding and the upper arm should be in shape from all of the “slug-bug”-esque games you played as a kid.
Pig.Pen - February 17, 2012
Don Baylor
I swear he must have had the nerves disconnected to his front elbow. He would just hang that in the strike zone, get whacked and walk to first.
d_c_guy - February 17, 2012
Baylor also had a little more meat on his bones than some of us
At least Danny wears an elbow pad. And not the barely legal 20 lb kind that Bonds used to sit over the plate either.
ZimforPrez - February 17, 2012
Minnie Minoso
is my all-time fav at hanging over the plate. Career .298 and led the league in HBP for 10 of his 17 seasons.
Whupass - February 18, 2012
Not to highjack the thread,
but it deserves mentioning that Don Baylor is a helluva hitting coach, doing fine work with the DBacks these days.
Whupass - February 18, 2012
I'm waiting for the call from the long-term Expos fans
“RON HUNT!!”
jbg2772 - February 17, 2012
Biggio is a heck of an example. Let's just hope Espi avoids the injury bug too.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2938811
Article from five years ago. “Plunk’d! The latest, greatest Craig Biggio story”
RoscoeNats - February 17, 2012
Before we get ahead of ourselves
Lombardozzi can sub at SS, but lacks the arm strength to play the position over the long term; He’s a second-baseman first & foremost. The Nationals’ “true” shortstops are Desmond, Espinosa, then a drop to Zach Walters & Rick Hague (both A+ POT in 2011).
BinM - February 17, 2012
Maybe thats actually the argument to keeping him in the MLB this year
You have Rendon potentially being a 2nd baseman. So even if you consider moving Espinosa at 2nd, Lombardozzi may fall behind Rendon anyways. So if you keep him in the MiLB then you miss your opportunity to advance him entirely.
Bsullivan - February 17, 2012
I never suggested Lombaradozzi was a SS
Watched him play a bit last year and I like the bat and love the glove, but he’s a 2B.
Pig.Pen - February 17, 2012
Ew. Umm...
I think his bat translates into an average at best second baseman. 2Bs nowadays have a lot more power than I believe Lombo can muster. I could be wrong…
RobBobS - February 17, 2012
Agreed
That’s why I like, but don’t love the bat, the glove is superb and maybe good enough to make up for it. Either way he should just be keeping that spot warm for Rendon or Zimmerman.
Pig.Pen - February 17, 2012
I think it depends on your set-up.
Assuming that you have power at another position traditionally held by avg. hitters, then you could swing a lead-off 2b.
chubias - February 17, 2012
It's hard for me to think of things in this manner
The idea that you can sacrifice an attribute by a player at a position because that attribute is covered by some other player who plays a position that normally doesn’t have that attribute.
I mean, think of this: would I be satisfied with a first baseman who hits like a catcher just because I have a catcher who hits like a first baseman? Of course not!
But of course you aren’t really advocating something like this. You are suggesting that it’s ok that Lombo might not have enough power if some other player has more than their position would ordinarily offer (not sure to whom you are alluding to here, by the way) provided Lombo offers something else a second baseman doesn’t usually offer. You mention leading off, but of course a lot of 2Bs lead off.
RobBobS - February 17, 2012 via mobile
Well, your example only really works at 1B, because a golden glove 1b is about a useful as a golden glove DH.
Case in point, Brett Gardner. His SLG% is about 200 points below Josh Hamilton and Carlos Gonzalez. Gardner still put up a fantastic value for his team though, and is helped by the fact that Ganderson’s SLG was in the 500’s.
chubias - February 17, 2012
William Ladson:
Ian Desmond, Drew Storen, Tyler Clippard, John Lannan, Jordan Zimmermann, Tom Gorzelanny are in camp. #Nats #MLB
dc Roach - February 17, 2012
JOY!
They should put a streaming webcam at the facility.
RoscoeNats - February 17, 2012
Best news all day.
Pig.Pen - February 17, 2012
William Ladson:
Edwin Jackson, Craig Stammen and Roger Bernadina are also in camp. #Nats #MLB
dc Roach - February 17, 2012
Detwiler, Wang and Lidge also confirmed to be in camp
dc Roach - February 17, 2012
I like that there are a few non-pitchers there.
Hope MPH-Rod doesn’t have visa issues again…or Ramos for that matter. He had a bit of a tough time for a few days in the offseason.
RoscoeNats - February 17, 2012
Christian Guzman Anyone?
Nah…..me neither. After some painful seasons of watching terrible MI play, I was spoiled somewhat last year by the energy displayed by the Dez/Espi combo, and am excited to see improvement by both this season, both defensively and offensively. The biggest mistake the Nats could make right now, is breaking up our MI. Let Lombo earn his keep by coming in as a utility and proving that he is better than we already have. In fact, if he can keep that high BA, can he play in the OF? As for Rendon, lets first see how he even performs in MiLB, with a wooden bat, and if he can stay healthy. Also, we have heard over and over how much of a leader Dez is in the clubhouse…..now, I do not know if that is true, because I am obviously never in the clubhouse, but I would think that adds immeasurable value.
sullyzz - February 17, 2012
Guz and the two year extension, the pre-lasik year............painful times, the roster not meshing...gotta play the kids!!!
and we finally get a MI combo that doesn’t put us off our dinner, and calls for trading abound….
cat daddy3000 - February 18, 2012
Nationals PR:
Nats will feature new-look middle infield in 2012…. same names, new numbers: Desmond (#20) and Espinosa (#8).
dc Roach - February 18, 2012
That'll confuse them!
RobBobS - February 18, 2012
A lot of haters made that their Desmond = E6 thing is ruined...
Patrick Reddington - February 18, 2012
I sure hope Zimmermann doesn't change his number
that #27 jersey was expensive!
RobBobS - February 18, 2012
I just had to stop buying jerseys or name and # t's...
I’m officially a jinx, soon as I buy it they leave. I can’t do it to any more players.
Patrick Reddington - February 18, 2012
the witch admits his foulduggery!!
although that LaRoche # t looks pretty good, ya know…
cat daddy3000 - February 19, 2012
Jayson Stark's survey calls Nats (one of) the most improved team(s) in the NL
Plenty of Nats mentions in his 5k word Spring Training preview thingummy.
dc Roach - February 17, 2012
Nationals PR:
Edwin Jackson enters camp wearing #33. No Nationals player has ever worn #33 (’05-present). Every other number from 00-63 has been worn.
dc Roach - February 17, 2012
Desmond and Espinosa changed numbers, right?
RoscoeNats - February 17, 2012
Espi is going to wear #8 I believe, which received much criticism on here since that is Carter’s number from the Expos days…….but I don’t recall seeing that Dez would be switching numbers.
sullyzz - February 17, 2012
I assume Espi may have idolized Cal Ripken...who knows.
I think I saw that Desi is going with 20-something instead of 6.
RoscoeNats - February 17, 2012
Desi is going to number 20...
Don’t have a source, but I believe that’s accurate…
Nationalpastime9 - February 17, 2012
According to BBR
the only #20’s in Nats’ history have been Adam Kennedy and Laynce Nix. No chance the number will be retired any time soon, in other words.
RobBobS - February 17, 2012
Some stuff on the no. changes...
HERE-ish.
Patrick Reddington - February 17, 2012
And NPUTWSTPIYCOTI...
New Post Up Top With Spring Training Pics If You Click On The Image…
Patrick Reddington - February 17, 2012
That looks very much like one of those famously-clumsy Navy "acronyms"
RobBobS - February 17, 2012
2011........
Last season was the season to bench DEZ and Let Lombo play 2nd and ESPI play short…….That did’nt happen………For the beginning of 2012 its DEZ and ESPI unless LOMBO just tears up ST. Lombo needs to play this season every day. That means AAA…..But on August 15 if this team just stinks. DEZ needs to be benched and LOMBO needs to start eveyday………..WASTE??? The second half of last season DAVY not playing LOMBO was the waste………
artistfork - February 17, 2012
Except the second half of the season Desmond was playing quite well.
Doncosmic - February 17, 2012 via iPhone app
And I still maintain
that mid-season’s the wrong time to ask a rookie to switch to a position he hasn’t played for 1-1/2 seasons.
jbg2772 - February 17, 2012
Side issue
The Yankees trade (read: dump) AJ Burnett would seem to make it less likely that Meyers will be offered back, right?
RobBobS - February 17, 2012
perhaps
but it’s not as if they don’t still have a mess of players vying for the bullpen. Rivera, Robinson, Soriano are locks; the loser of the Hughes/Garcia battle for #5; Wade; Feliciano; Betances; Chamberlain; Logan (LH); plus non-roster invitees (Delcarmen, O’Connor, Banuelos, etc.
jbg2772 - February 17, 2012
And another Rule 5 guy, Cesar Cabral
And Cabral is a LHP, which gives him an edge. That’s a role the Yankees have had a terrible time filling.
d_c_guy - February 17, 2012
especially since Okajima failed his physical
jbg2772 - February 18, 2012
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