Nats need Fedde to be part of staff, whether starter or reliever

As our offseason coverage kicks into high gear, we're going to review each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Erick Fedde, who is still trying to find his footing in the big leagues.

PLAYER REVIEW: ERICK FEDDE

Age on opening day 2019: 26

How acquired: First-round pick, 2014 draft

MLB service time: 150 days

2018 salary: $545,000

Contract status: Under team control through 2020, likely arbitration-eligible in 2021, free agent in 2025

2018 stats: 2-4, 5.54 ERA, 11 GS, 0 CG, 50 1/3 IP, 55 H, 31 R, 31 ER, 8 HR, 22 BB, 46 SO, 0 HBP, 1.530 WHIP, 0.2 fWAR, 0.3 bWAR

Quotable: "He needs to get stronger, for sure. And he needs to know who he is, and know what he wants to do. He's got to use all his pitches and keep the ball down. And his breaking ball has got to get better. ... Hey, he's going to be a good one. He's just really young. The biggest thing for him is to stay healthy. He hasn't stayed healthy. And he needs to stay healthy." - Davey Martinez

2018 analysis: Though there wasn't a spot for him in the opening day rotation, Fedde figured to be the Nationals' first call from Triple-A Syracuse when they needed rotation help. And sure enough, he got the call in late May when the club needed another starter following a doubleheader. The right-hander impressed in his season debut, holding the Padres scoreless for four innings before succumbing in the fifth and sixth, but because there was no long-term need at the time he returned to Syracuse following the game.

A few weeks later, with both Stephen Strasburg and Jeremy Hellickson now on the disabled list, Fedde returned and became a consistent part of the big league rotation for the first time. He made five starts and had several encouraging moments, including a June 23 outing against the Phillies when he reached the seventh inning for the first time in his career.

But then came a July 4 start against the Red Sox in front of a packed house on South Capitol Street in which Fedde was forced to depart after facing only five batters due to what was diagnosed as inflammation in his shoulder. He would spend the next two months on the disabled list.

By the time he returned in September, the Nationals were all but out of the pennant race, but that did help ensure a starting assignment every fifth day down the stretch. Fedde made five more starts, and again showed encouraging signs but again struggled to pitch deep into games.

2019 outlook: Joe Ross may have the leg up because of his edge in experience, but Fedde certainly needs to be in the Nationals' plans next season, whether it's as a member of the opening day rotation or again as the first arm ready to be summoned from the minors when needed.

There's plenty to like about Fedde, especially his mid-90s fastball. But he has plenty of work ahead of him if he is to make it as a permanent big leaguer. His secondary stuff needs improvement, and he has to do a better job getting ahead of hitters early in the count and thus not subjecting himself to high-leverage situations from the get-go.

As is often a problem for many young starters, Fedde is going to have to show he can get through an opposing lineup two or three times to have a real future with the Nationals. He's only made 14 starts, so there's still plenty of time for him to take those key steps. But he's no spring chicken, either, having been drafted out of college and having missed considerable time due to injuries, making him a 26-year-old rookie next season.

Though the Nats' preference appears to be to continue to develop Fedde as a starter, it's entirely possible his best path to success will be out of the bullpen. The organization briefly tried this in 2017, having Fedde work as a reliever in the minors in anticipation he'd be needed in the big leagues later in the season, but those plans were scuttled and the right-hander returned to a starting role. For now, indications are that Fedde will continue to start, but the Nats shouldn't rule out a permanent move to the bullpen at some point.