Nats rotation competing with old and new faces

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The first few weeks of spring training are like the first few weeks of school. Coaches and players are excited to reunite with longtime teammates and meet some new ones. The early assignments aren’t too hard, but everyone knows bigger tests are coming soon.

There’s excitement and nervousness in the air.

For the Nationals’ starting rotation, there’s a good mix of familiar and fresh faces. And while there’s a lot of excitement surrounding this young, impressive group, there are sure to be some nerves during camp as well while they compete in what might be the biggest position group battle of the spring.

MacKenzie Gore and Jake Irvin have solidified their positions at the top of the rotation. The 26-year-old left-hander with electric stuff may be the Nats’ Opening Day starter. The 28-year-old right-hander, who started the Grapefruit League opener on Saturday when Gore’s spring debut was pushed back to later this week so he could go multiple innings, is already lined up as the No. 2 starter.

Michael Soroka is the Nats’ highest-paid pitcher this year after signing a one-year, $9 million contract this winter, likely locking him into a spot in the rotation. And Trevor Williams was brought back on a two-year, $14 million deal to start games.

That leaves Mitchell Parker, DJ Herz and Shinnosuke Ogasawara fighting for the fifth and final spot in the rotation ahead of Opening Day. Parker and Herz excelled in their rookie seasons last year. Ogasawara comes over from Japan as the first player the Nats have ever signed directly from Asia.

“Excited to get to know some new faces, see some old ones and just really excited about what we're building here,” Irvin said in an exclusive interview with MASN All Access’ Amy Jennings. “So it's been a good spring so far, and I'm excited to keep it going.”

“I'm looking forward to seeing everybody compete,” Gore said during his own exclusive sitdown with MASN All Access. “It's been a great camp. Everybody's ready to roll. They look great.”

The getting to know each other part seems to already be going swimmingly, despite some language obstacles.

Irvin sat down with MASN All Access after he finished his workout Tuesday morning in a grassy spot right outside the Nationals clubhouse at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Teammates and coaches walked by as they finished their own workouts and preparations ahead of a trip up to Jupiter to face the Marlins.

While answering a question about building up a young starting core alongside Gore and some other up-and-comers, Irvin did his best to not get distracted by the people walking behind him on camera.

“It's been cool for me just getting to be a bystander of all of that with just clearly how big of a super talent MacKenzie is,” Irvin said. “The sky's the limit for him, I've said it a million times and he's only climbing. He works his tail off and does all the right things. So that's been fun. But the other guys on this staff, too, getting to know Michael, playing with Trevor again, Mitchell, DJ. A few of those other faces that we haven't seen.”

One of those faces, Ogasawara, just so happened to be walking past while Irvin was answering.

“And then bringing Shin over from Japan!” Irvin said with a big smile directed at the Japanese lefty. “It's fun. It's a good crew. We have a good time. And just getting to see those guys, spend a lot of time with them, pick their brain.”

“I love you!” Ogasawara exclaimed behind the scenes with his arms in their air and while dragging out that last syllable.

“I love you, man!” Irvin immediately replied before finishing up his on-camera answer. “It's been awesome.”

Clearly, everyone is just happy to be back to baseball. But they also know it’s not all fun and games. There is a competition to be had, and they have a job to do.

The Nationals’ rotation depth puts a little pressure on everyone. The fifth spot is up for grabs, and whoever the two are that don’t make the initial cut out of camp will be waiting in the minor leagues. They’ll be ready to step in if anyone doesn’t pitch up to snuff.

But they’re all working toward that same goal for the team. And they know what defines “success” for them this season.

“Success at the end of the day is winning ballgames,” Irvin said. “We're in the business of winning ball games. We're really fortunate to have a good, young club like we do, so success is making the playoffs and winning the World Series.”