Part 2: Talkin' Baseball with GM Randy Whitaker

Pictured from left to right: Willie Fordham, fan, Mayor Steve Reed and Randy Whitaker

1.) Assuming you had time to watch games this season, who were your favorite players to watch?
I loved watching Bernie make those great catches in center. Watching Seth Bynum hit during a hot streak was fun. And I really missed “heffay’s” (Luis Jimenez’) child-like enthusiasm after he left.

2.) Last week I picked Roger Bernadina as Team MVP. If you had to pick a team MVP who would it be and why?
Stearnsy, for keeping a team made up of 58 different players headed in the right direction despite all the changes.

3.) How difficult was it for you to not get autographs this season?
Early on it was downright painful to walk by my old buddies on the autograph line and not be able to join in. But there were benefits in my new capacity as well.

4.) What were some of the benefits that helped alleviate the pain of not getting autographs?
I’m in the game! This year we had a rain delay and the umpire came straight to me to discuss it. I had conversations with Devon White and Bill Singer. I had a really nice three inning conversation with Bob Boone – just talking ball. My autograph friends can’t say that!

5.) As a fan and now a GM you have witnessed the rebuilding of the Nationals farm system from the ground up. What are your thoughts on the improvements the Nationals made over the past few years?
This is one of the most encouraging things I’ve seen for the Senators – and I noticed it even before moving into this position. After several years of literal neglect, the Nats farm system is now a very active and functioning entity with some real purpose and future. The fact that we lost so many players this year, but the Nats were able to replace them with other talented players could never have been pulled off only two years ago. I like where they are going.

6.) When do you expect the Senators will start to benefit from the revamped farm system?
We already have. Shoot, we almost made the playoffs this year. Potomac, the level just below us, won both halves and the championship despite their team being turned over almost as much as ours was. That has to bode well.

7.) What players in the Nationals farm system are you most looking forward to watching on City Island in the coming years?
There are some good ones right below us. I hear that Chris Marrero is the real deal. Still not sure if he’ll be in the outfield or at 1B, but I’m told his bat is for real, and considering he is only 20, he has a high ceiling. Michael Burgess is supposed to be a horse too and had a great season. We might get to see some throws from right field like we enjoyed from Vlad. And even though he had a kind of mediocre season, Ross Detwiler is still very well regarded. They are supposed to have a ton of strong starters in the lower levels too. AND, the rookie level team won their championship too, so the good stuff should spread over several years to come!