"At one time or another we were all among the top prospects. There's no question we have talent," said Milledge, who turns 23 in April. "But we have to apply that here in the big leagues. Because, really, the minor leagues doesn't matter."
Milledge, who was rated by Baseball America as the Mets' top prospect in 2005 and 2006, clashed with some veterans because of a lackadaisical attitude and a brash demeanor, and was rebuked by the New York media.
"It doesn't matter what people write. It's the front office writing the checks, not the media," Milledge said. "So I don't really pay attention to what anybody says. People can say whatever they want to say. But if I am getting the job done between the lines, none of that [other] stuff matters."
With Kearns cemented in right field and Milledge handed the spot in center, Pena and Dukes started the spring battling for the left-field job. But Pena is on the disabled list with an oblique strain and won't play until mid-April at the earliest. So left became Dukes' position to lose.
"That's the way we look at it," Acta said. "He is pretty much going to play left field if he is healthy. He was battling for that [third] spot, and it opened up for him."
Of the four outfielders, Dukes might be the most talented. Built like a linebacker, he has size, speed and power - if he can only stay out of trouble long enough to demonstrate it. That's why the Nationals hired an employee to stay with Dukes nearly all the time. And his teammates have been looking out for him. First baseman Dmitri Young, who also battled personal demons, has become a mentor.
One morning this spring, when Dukes wasn't in the clubhouse as reporting time neared, Pena rushed around looking for Dukes' cell phone number.
"He'll be fine," Milledge told Pena. And, sure enough, Dukes filed into the clubhouse and onto the field just in time for team stretching.
"He is going to be a piece of the puzzle, so of course we are going to make sure everything is going good," Milledge said. "He is a grown man. ... We just want to make sure he is going to be the best player he is going to be."
If Milledge, Kearns, Dukes and Pena can come close to matching their collective potential, the revolving door in the Nats' outfield might finally stop moving.
dan.connolly@baltsun.com
