Kevin Clifford/Nevada Appeal Silver Bullet pitcher Clay Holton, 13, throws a pitch while Professional pitcher for the Washington Nationals Darrell Rasner watches Holton's form and path of the ball Friday night at the Ray Austin Memorial School.
Always the one to maintain perspective, 1999 Carson High graduate Darrell Rasner is determined to make the Washington Nationals opening day roster. But he's also realistic.
"If it happens, great, if not then I'll go wherever they assign me and work my hardest," said the former Carson and University of Nevada standout. " You don't want to get your hopes up. You just go in and do your best. Everybody wants to be on a Big League roster."
Rasner wil report to the Nationals' spring training site in Florida on Feb. 15. The Nationals made several moves in the offseason to bolster their starting rotation and bullpen, but Rasner will be given a shot to earn a spot as Washington's No. 4 or No. 5 starter.
Rasner said he won't be too disappointed if he doesn't make the opening day roster. He obviously doesn't care if it comes as a starter or as a reliever.
"Wherever I play, I'm playing baseball," he said. "I won't complain. I'm not one of those guys who complains. It's a blessing for me. It's supposed to be fun. Anywhere you play, again, it's a blessing."
Since the Nationals are looking at Rasner as a starter, that actually could a disadvantage to him. He may have had a better chance to make the opening day roster if the Nationals were looking at him as more of a reliever.
"I'd do whatever," said Rasner about making the opening day roster. "I'll bullpen catch. I'll do whatever it takes to get back up."
Rasner got a taste in the Big Leagues last year when the Nationals called him up in September. Rasner was solid, posting a 3.68 earned run average.
"The whole experience was really kind of surreal," Rasner said. "I'm still kind of pinching myself. It was a great opportunity. I learned a lot."
Rasner's performance last year should have been good enough for the Nationals to at least have enough confidence in him to bring him up as a spot starter or to the bullpen if needed.
"I would think they have enough confidence in me, but I really don't know," said the right-handed pitcher.
If Rasner doesn't make the opening day roster, it's logical to think he would begin the season at Triple A New Orleans. But again, Rasner said he didn't know where he would be assigned if he doesn't make the big club. Rasner was brought up from Double A Harrisburg, Pa., last fall.
Rasner was in Carson City on Friday to conduct a clinic for pitchers in the Ray Austin Memorial Baseball Academy at the Nevada Appeal building. Rasner will also be at today's Carson City Little League signups at the Carson City Community Center to sign autographs and talk baseball. The signups will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Rasner will be there from 9 to 11.
"Things are going great here, I'm having fun doing this," Rasner said. "It's a great opportunity for the kids.
"I love doing this, especially keeping kids playing baseball. It's a great game. Especially the talent with these guys, it's unbelievable."