Underrated Player Spotlight:

Nationals Pitcher Austin Voth

By: Michael A. Chase Jr.

7/11/2020

         For the four major sports teams that call the D.C. area home, each has its share of star caliber players. From Terry McLaurin with the Washington football team, to Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom with the Capitals. To Bradley Beal for the Wizards and Jaun Soto and Stephen Strasburg for the Nationals. D.C. has more star power across its four major teams than it has had in recent years. That does not mean we should forget to recognize the key role players that help these teams to victories. These underappreciated performers deserve as much admiration as the star players they play a supporting role for. Which is why this article is the beginning of a weekly series on The Unheralded Sports View. As this piece will be the debut of a series, highlighting the underrated players across the four major D.C. sports team. Detailing their career performance, key moments for their respective teams, and the roles they will play in the coming seasons. The first D.C. sports player to kick off this series is Washington Nationals Pitcher Austin Voth.

            Austin Voth is a 28-year-old Starting Pitcher for the Washington Nationals. A 5th round pick in 2013 who took some time to reach the majors but has made a solid impact. As a minor leaguer Voth posted a career 3.69 ERA and a 37-49 record, which are not standout numbers. In his still young MLB career though, Voth has posted a 3-2 record in 13 appearances. With a 4.02 ERA in 56 innings pitched with a 55 to 19 strikeout to walk ratio. These are solid numbers to begin a career, but in the 2019 season Voth showed to be ready for a chance at a solidified role. A player that despite a pandemic shortened MLB season can have a breakout campaign.

            Voth displayed positive progression in 2019, as despite appearing in just 9 games he had several standout performances. He pitched to a 3.30 ERA in 43.2 innings, with a 2-1 record and 1.05 WHIP. His three most notable starts were his June 23rd and September 14th starts versus the Atlanta Braves, and his September 27th start versus the Cleveland Indians. His two starts against the Braves standout as they came against the team who won the NL East and was one of the best offenses in baseball. In these two starts he threw a combined 11.2 innings giving up 3 runs and striking out 13 in his two outings. These showings proved he could stand up against elite lineups and take them to task with his solid pitch mix. Against the Cleveland Indians a team that was desperately fighting for a playoff spot he also excelled. Pitching 6 innings giving up just 2 runs on two hits while striking out 5, getting the win in his final start of the 2019 campaign. Again, this performance showed against a playoff-caliber team he can compete. This type of performance showed Voth demanded much attention upon the arrival to Spring Training as a 5th starter option.

            Due to the current pandemic Voth’s opportunity to compete for the 5th starter job was stunted. As he was in competition with fellow starter options Joe Ross and Erick Fedde. In his 3 spring training appearances Voth posted a 1.29 ERA giving up just 1 run in 7 innings pitched. Continuing to build off his strong performances in 2019. Up until the stoppage he looked to be the clear-cut favorite to win the 5th starter job. Now with MLB set to begin their abbreviated 60 game season Voth could be incredibly important in aiding the management of Washington’s pitching staff.  Even with Washington having arguably the best top 4 starters in the sports with Scherzer, Strasburg, Corbin, and Sanchez. Having a reliable 5th starter option to take pressure off these four is a necessity. With a shortened year how teams handle deploying their starting pitchers will be key in determining the amount of success that team may enjoy. Especially with the Nats having a 36-year-old Anibal Sanchez and 35-year-old Max Scherzer, who both dealt with injury last season. Voth could be a key starter in helping to avoid overworking these starters, while providing a trustworthy rotation option.

If Voth whether it be as a fifth starter or reliever continues the upward trajectory his big-league career seems on, the Nats will boast an even deeper rotation. After managing to not only make the playoffs but win the World Series without a solidified bullpen or fifth starter. Making sure these areas are secure are key going into this shortened campaign. The fact that Austin Voth has clearly grown and shows to be ready for the chance to be a rotation mainstay for Washington is crucial. Now he is set to hopefully have a breakout campaign this coming season. Proving that the Nats have even more top-notch pitching depth past their Top-4.