Earlier today, pitchers and catchers reported to the Space Coast Stadium complex for the official start to Nationals’ spring training. The big news out of Viera was the Nathan Karns – Jose Lobaton trade, but I still thought it was a good day to take a stab at my first Senators’ projected roster for 2014.

Starting Rotation
A.J. Cole
Taylor Hill
Sammy Solis (pictured)
Blake Schwartz
Felipe Rivero

Syracuse’s starting rotation was thin before the Karns trade, now it’s Christian Bale in “The Machinist” skinny. So, the Nats’ hand on Cole’s starting assignment might be forced and that would cause a trickle-down effect that may mean a slot for Rob Gilliam or Paul Demny once again.

Bullpen
Neil Holland
Tyler Herron
Matt Grace
Richie Mirowski
Matt Swynenberg
Zach Jackson
Kelvin Perez
Colin Bates

Photo courtesy Nils Nilsen / ESPN.com

Catchers
Brian Jeroloman
Mitch Canham

The deal for Lobaton pushes every backstop down the depth chart as Jhonatan Solano, Sandy Leon, and Chris Snyder will all look to split time behind the plate in Syracuse. That leaves Jeroloman, Canham, and possibly Jeff Howell to don the tools of ignorance for the Senators. One big caveat is if the White Sox return Rule 5 pick Adrian Nieto, I would expect the Cuban-born catcher to be ticketed to Harrisburg.

Infielders
Matt Skole
Ricky Hague
Jason Martinson
Cutter Dykstra
Justin Bloxom
Sean Nicol

With just two games under his belt before he was injured for the year, Skole looks to bounce back this season and re-establish himself as the first baseman of the future for the Nats.

Outfielders
Michael Taylor
Theo Bowe (pictured)
Joe Dunigan
Destin Hood

For all the disappointment in seeing Billy Burns shipped off to the Oakland organization, Senators’ fans are going to love watching Bowe on the basepaths as the speedster is one season removed from swiping 70 bases.