Spring Observations: Tanner Roark an asset again

Tanner Roark has an early advantage in the Nationals' rotation competition and could matter in mixed leagues. Scott White addresses that as well as Mallex Smith's historic performance.

Remember how at this time last year we were bemoaning the fact that Tanner Roark would be the odd man out in the Nationals rotation?

I mean, he only went 15-10 with a 2.85 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 2014, and while you could argue he had some luck along the way given his suspect strikeout rate, his sheer consistency should have earned him some benefit of the doubt.

He still doesn't have it now, not after compiling a 4.38 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in relief last season, but what he does have is a leg up, especially after his performance Tuesday against the Rays.

1. Roark revisited

In short, he struck three over two scoreless innings, allowing one hit with one walk, and while manager Dusty Baker has a history with 39-year-old Bronson Arroyo, the Tommy John returnee who's Roark's primary competition, he sounds just as baffled by Roark's ousting last year.

"I wasn't here before, and I don't know what happened, but if I had won 15 games I would have expected to come back and try to win 20," Baker told The Washington Post. "Most guys that win 15 don't go to the bullpen. I told him we're going to give him a chance to start because he had earned it."

But didn't Roark's struggles last year validate the Nationals' decision? Not exactly. He threw harder in the role, which he says sacrificed his location, which might explain why his home run rate doubled, which would certainly explain why his ERA jumped.

The silver lining to Roark's lost year is that it netted him relief pitcher eligibility, and while young Phillies fireballer Vincent Velasquez is getting plenty of buzz right now, Roark may actually be the safer relief pitcher-eligible starting pitcher for Head-to-Head points leagues.

2. Mallex who?

Before the Braves acquired Ender Inciarte in the Shelby Miller deal this offseason, the plan was for Michael Bourn to help break in Mallex Smith in center field. It seemed only natural given that Smith profiled as exactly the player Bourn was in his prime.

But on Tuesday, he looked even better than that. The only reason he didn't hit for the cycle is because instead of a single, he had a second triple. Needless to say, Braves camp was buzzing.

"He's more polished than last year in everything he does," manager Fredi Gonzalez told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. And I think he's serious. He's close to the big leagues -- he made some big jumps last year, from Double-A to Triple-A."

There is still a way the Braves could work Smith into the mix if they're willing to shift Hector Olivera back from left field to third base, where they currently plan to platoon stopgaps Kelly Johnson and Adonis Garcia, but it'll take more than one historic game. His steals potential makes him worth drafting in NL-only leagues, though, just for the possibility of a midseason call-up.

3. Rough day at the Park

Byung Ho Park's stateside debut wasn't the stuff of legends. He did what he did all too often in Korea, striking out in each of his three at-bats. He said nerves got the better of him, which is understandable, but again, it'd be easier to understand if he didn't strike out every third at-bat in Korea. He doesn't believe major-league pitching is anything he can't handle, though.

"The stuff they were throwing wasn't that much different than what I saw in Korea," Park told MLB.com. "But it's just the first game. This time of year the pitchers are far ahead of the position players. They're in their game shape and I'm just trying to get ready. I'm just tracking the ball trying to get ready for the season."

In addition to striking out a bunch, he hit 50 home runs in back-to-back seasons in Korea, so naturally the Twins aren't deterred by one bad game.

"You just pat him on the back and encourage patience," manager Paul Molitor said. "He's just trying to get a feel here. Everyone is kind of starting at square one. But as we've talked about all along, we're going to get him some at-bats, and we believe he can hit."

4. Stephenson enters the fold

Just when you think you have a grasp of the Reds pitching staff -- John Lamb is expected to begin the year on the DL, which would mean Michael Lorenzen and Brandon Finnegan are in for sure -- manager Bryan Price throws us a curveball after watching Robert Stephenson throw a few of his own. The 23-year-old who has long been considered a top prospect, allowed no runs on one hit with one walk and two strikeouts in his two innings of work, and Price acted like it was his coming-out party.

"This is really the first year where he can really feel like he's got a shot to play in the big leagues," Reds manager Bryan Price told MLB.com. "Realistically, he's got a great opportunity. He should pitch in the majors in 2016."

It still seems like a long shot for a player whose service-time clock hasn't started yet and who still has some control issues to sort out in the minors, but then again, we were saying the same thing about Archie Bradley at this time last year.

5. Mazara makes a statement

You thought it was Joey Gallo who the Ian Desmond signing undercut, right? Apparently, 20-year-old Nomar Mazara, who some prospect gurus rank just behind the highly-flawed-but-still-elite Gallo, was also in consideration for the left field job.

He's at least playing to move up in the pecking order, going 3 for 3 with a home run Tuesday. Mazara is one of those prospects whose minor-league numbers don't do his abilities justice, but a big spring would make him more palatable to Fantasy owners and put him on early-season watch lists.