Drew Storen - Age 24 - MLB Service 1+ year
How he became a Nat: Drafted in the 1st round of the 2009 Draft (10th Overall) - Compensation for not signing Aaron Crow.
The Raw Numbers:
Games - 73
IP - 75.1
ERA - 2.75
WHIP - 1.022
K/9 - 8.84
WAR - 0.9
Key Stat: 43. This is the number of saves that Drew had this past season, 2nd most in Nationals history - behind Chad Cordero's 47 in 2005. What's even more impressive is that at the beginning of the year, Drew Storen wasn't the official closer; Riggs was messing around with Sean Burnett in the 9th. Given each opportunity, we could've seen Drew scratch the 50 save mark.
Best Game: April 7th against Florida. In just the Nats 6th game of the season we saw John Lannan and Josh Johnson battle to a 3-3 tie in the 8th, when Storen entered the game. From there he went two innings of no-hit ball while striking out 3 batters. The team would go on to win the game in the 11th, but it wouldn't have been possible without Storen taking care of business.
Worst Game: September 8th against the Dodgers at Nats Park. It was a tie game in the 9th when Storen entered, things went downhill from there. Drew racked up a hit batsman, two singles, a double, a walk, and 2 steals allowed - giving up 3 runs in the process - only to be taken out in favor of Balester. Drew Storen got the loss, his 3rd of the year.
CapBall Grade: B+. Drew Storen had a terrible Spring Training but he was able to have a lights out regular season. It should be noted that he turned 24 in August, so his skills are only going to be improve. He has the smarts to be in this game for years and years to come - and the only thing holding me back from giving him an A is that his HR/9 ratio went from 0.5 last year to 1.0 this year. Hopefully he can make a slight adjustment to bring that number back down.
2012 Nats Status: Regardless of his Spring Training performance, Drew Storen will enter the year as the Nats closer. Don't buy into the rumors that the Nats are targeting Ryan Madson - it's just not true. It will be HRod, Clip, and Storen next year - bank it.
Sure hope you are right - trade rumors about Drew drive me crazy! Clip & Store!!!
ReplyDeleteI think skipping school this fall and winter will make a big difference for Drew. It was admirable of him to want to continue, but it can't make off-season preps easy. I look for him to be ready physically and mentally this spring training, after having full season to learn. He is obviously very intelligent and can handle the pressure. It's very exciting for us to have a young, exciting closer.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great point, gonatsgo. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm banking on Drew getting 55 saves easily this year. First off, he'll have the job from the start. Second, he's now a year more seasoned. And the most important third, a vastly improved Nationals team will bring more leads into the 9th.
ReplyDeleteAnd the guy does intelligent interviews and loves being on this team!