Darrell Rasner

The Post reports that the Nationals called up Darrell Rasner from AA Harrisburg and will start him tonight against the Marlins. Talk about pressure: the 24-year-old's Major League debut will be in the heat of a pennant race against a wild card rival.

What can we expect from young Mr. Rasner? Brian from Nats Farm Report says this:

"Rasner is a sinkerball pitcher with adequate control. In 27 games this year with Harrisburg (26 starts/1CG), Rasner was 6-7 with a 3.59ERA. In 150.1IP, he has given up 150H (10HR) while walking 29 and striking out 96. Think Zach Day (hopefully with thicker skin). He is probably a #4/5 SP at best but it will be interesting to see what he can bring to the Nationals down the stretch."

That's not a description of the next Roger Clemens. John Sickels, author of "The Baseball Prospect Book, 2005," says:

"Rasner made some progress last year refining command of his 89 MPH sinder. He also has a decent curveball and changeup. None of his pitches are outstanding, but he throws them all for strikes most of the time, and keeps the ball down in the strike zone. ... Although he is still viewed as a starter, I continue to believe that he'll be better off in relief in the long run."

Baseball Prospectus is a bit more glowing. After noting his good 2004 numbers, BP says:

"As a college pitcher, you'd like to see Rasner pitching this well at a higher level, but 2004 was another solid season for him as he moves up the system. You'd like to see Rasner [achieve the strikeout rates he had in lower minor league competition], and he's got the three-pitch assortment (fastball, curve, change) that could make it possible. Added to his excellent control, it could stamp him as a legit rotation threat for 2006."

The reviews seem to indicate that Rasner has some potential, although not to be a front-line starter. That's OK given that he's replacing Tony Armas because no one ever accused Armas of being a front-line starter. And pitching in spacious RFK should help Rasner quite a bit.

The stakes are very high both for Rasner and the Nats: if he can pitch well he will raise his profile and his prospects dramatically and, at the same time, give the Nationals' depleted pitching staff a much-needed boost as the team continues its assault on the Wild Card spot.

Good luck, Darrell.