Byron Kerr

Pineda gained valuable experience in Fredericksburg over summer

Pineda gained valuable experience in Fredericksburg over summer
One of the well regarded backstops in the Nationals organization is Israel Pineda, ranked No. 12 on the Nats top 30 prospects list from MLBPipeline.com. Nationals catching coordinator Michael Barrett said the 20-year-old out of Maracray, Venezuela, gained valuable experience by getting a taste of working with big leaguers at the club's alternate site over the 2020 summer season. "Pineda had an opportunity to go to Fredericksburg, which was a great experience for him," Barrett said. "He kind...
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Byron Kerr

Thurman runs down Nats young outfield prospects

Thurman runs down Nats young outfield prospects
Here is our final installment on the young outfield corps for the Nationals, guys that are making some noise at the lower levels. Most of these prospects got to work out and play games during instructional league in West Palm Beach, Fla., back in October. One well regarded outfielder who did not get to participate but is certainly worth notice is 17-year-old Roismar Quintana from Caracas, Venezuela. He had a quad injury and didn't play games this season, but Nationals outfielder/baserunning...
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Barrett: Catchers at instructs made "incredible" progress

Barrett: Catchers at instructs made "incredible" progress
Here is an update on the catchers at instructional league. Nationals catching coordinator Michael Barrett, who caught in the major leagues for 12 seasons, coached up and worked with the young backstops as they participated in the October camp. Here is a rundown of the catchers in camp and current ages: Geraldi Diaz, 20 Mason Doolittle, 22 Brady Lindsly, 22 Ivan Murzi, 19 Wilmer Perez, 22 Israel Pineda, 20 Ray Torres, 20 Barrett was impressed with how seriously all of these catchers took the...
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Highly touted shortstop among Nats' 10 international signings

Highly touted shortstop among Nats' 10 international signings
Today is the first day for international free agent signings across Major League Baseball. The Nationals made big news by signing the No. 5 prospect in 16-year-old shortstop Armando Cruz for $3.9 million. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the usual July 2 signing date was delayed until Jan. 15. In all, the Nats announced 10 signings. The list includes five pitchers, three outfielders and two shortstops. Five of the prospects hail from the Dominican Republic, four are from Venezuela and one...
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Byron Kerr

Will Robles return to 2019 form on defense?

Will Robles return to 2019 form on defense?
Victor Robles came into the 2020 season bigger and stronger, but did that extra bulk and weight affect his defensive efficiency in center field? The outfield analytical numbers from 2019 were eye-popping. Robles led the major leagues in Outs Above Average with 23. In a shortened 2020 campaign, Robles was tied for 54th with just two Outs Above Average. His success rate on defense was still good at 90 percent. In 2019, he reached a 93 percent success rate on defense. Of course, Robles only played...
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Thurman believes Soto can be an above-average defender

Thurman believes Soto can be an above-average defender
A lot of talk this week has centered around the Nationals' outfield defense, with the signing of free agent Kyle Schwarber. When Victor Robles is going well, he is an elite center field defender. But can Schwarber and Juan Soto hold their own on the corners? Nationals outfield/baserunning coordinator Gary Thurman acknowledges that there is a difference between guys like Robles and Michael A. Taylor, who have the ability to turn extra-base hits into outs. But Thurman believes that the best...
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Byron Kerr

Schwarber has "chip on my shoulder" as he arrives in D.C.

Schwarber has "chip on my shoulder" as he arrives in D.C.
New Nationals left fielder Kyle Schwarber is not the first player to admit that the abbreviated 60-game 2020 regular season was abnormal and that his numbers at the plate are not a reflection of what to expect from the power hitter. In 2019, Schwarber played in 155 games and hit .250 with a career-high .531 slugging percentage, 38 homers and 92 RBIs. In three seasons from 2017 to 2019, Schwarber smacked 94 homers and 212 RBIs. But in 59 games in 2020, Schwarber hit just .188 with 11 homers and...
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A comparison of free agents Brantley, Pederson and Schwarber

A comparison of free agents Brantley, Pederson and Schwarber
The hot stove buzz recently has focused on the Nationals looking at free agents Michael Brantley, Joc Pederson and Kyle Schwarber to take over the corner outfielder spot vacated by the departure of Adam Eaton. This available spot will most likely be in left field, with Juan Soto moving to right field and Victor Robles staying in center field. All three of these potential signees bat left-handed and all three have played in a World Series in the last five seasons. Here is a rundown of the career...
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Nats keep eye on Venezuela for top-flight prospects

Nats keep eye on Venezuela for top-flight prospects
If you study the 2020 Nationals instructional league roster, you will notice a good amount of talent drawn from Venezuela. Of the 65 players on the roster, 16 are from Venezuela. Here is a list of those Nats prospects in attendance at the October camp in West Palm Beach, Fla., along with their top 30 prospect ranking, according to MLBPipeline.com: Pitchers RHP Tomas Alastre RHP Mirton BlancoRHP Niomar GomezRHP Angel GuillenRHP Andry Lara (No. 4)RHP Carlos RomeroRHP Karlo Seijas LHP Alfonso...
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Stevenson relaxed at plate and in outfield for Nats in 2020

Stevenson relaxed at plate and in outfield for Nats in 2020
Recently, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo provided great insight on Andrew Stevenson as the potential fourth outfielder heading into 2021, taking on the role owned by Michael A. Taylor the past six seasons. Stevenson ended the season on a flurry, hitting .417 over the final 12 games of 2020. The LSU star enjoyed a .488 on-base percentage the final two weeks, making it very difficult for the opposing pitcher to record an out with him at the plate. Nats outfielder/baserunning coordinator...
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Nats' minor league pitching depth still a position of strength

Nats' minor league pitching depth still a position of strength
The Nationals system is strong from a pitching standpoint, even with the recent trade of prospects Wil Crowe and Eddy Yean to the Pirates. The Nats' top 10 prospects were all pitchers prior to the move that acquired All-Star first baseman Josh Bell, so now it is top eight, according to MLBPipeline.com. Prospects Jackson Rutledge, Cade Cavalli and Cole Henry are the top three. All three were drafted in 2019 or 2020. No. 5 prospect Mason Denaburg was a 2018 top selection. Nats assistant general...
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How Nats prepare young outfielders for what they will see in games

How Nats prepare young outfielders for what they will see in games
Here is a list of the young outfielders (and their ages) that were in attendance at Nationals instructional league workouts in October: Andry Arias, 20Gage Canning, 23Justin Connell, 21 Jeremy De La Rosa, 18 Braian Fernandez, 21 Jorge Hurtado, 20 Daniel Marte, 18 Ricardo Mendez, 20 Roismar Quintana, 17 Jake Randa, 22 Cody Wilson, 24 Outfield/baserunning coordinator Gary Thurman worked with these players on the fundamentals the Nats want every outfielder to master as they make their way through...
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Notes on Stevenson, Turner and Scherzer

Notes on Stevenson, Turner and Scherzer
One bright spot at the end of the abbreviated 2020 season was watching Andrew Stevenson crush baseballs for the final few weeks. The outfielder hit .417 in September, with seven doubles, one triple, two homers and 12 RBIs. His on-base percentage was .488. With Michael A. Taylor given the option to look for another team - and eventually signing a deal with the Royals - it was obvious the door was open for Stevenson to officially take on the role as the club's fourth outfielder going forward....
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Kendrick, Nats' 2019 postseason hero, announces retirement

Kendrick, Nats' 2019 postseason hero, announces retirement
Another World Series hero will not be returning to the Nationals in 2021. Howie Kendrick, whose pair of game-changing homers helped lift the Nats to their first World Series title in 2019, announced he is retiring from Major League Baseball after 15 seasons. Kendrick posted the announcement on his Instagram account on Monday night. "Last but not least, my Beloved Washington Nationals, thank you for embracing me as one of your own," he wrote. "I feel as though I'd been a National my whole...
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Nats sign Guerra and Castillo to minor league deals

Nats sign Guerra and Castillo to minor league deals
The Nationals have confirmed the signing of catcher Welington Castillo and right-hander Javy Guerra to minor league contracts that include invitations to major league spring training. This is the second year in a row that Castillo has signed with the Nats in the offseason, but the backstop opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns. Castillo, 33, will look to solidify the second catcher spot on the roster alongside Yan Gomes. Castillo played at least 100 games from 2013 to 2016 and...
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Notes on Soto and Zimmerman

Notes on Soto and Zimmerman
Most times when Nationals manager Davey Martinez is made available to the national media, there will be a question about the potential of Juan Soto. What was interesting from Martinez's answer to a recent question about Soto's ceiling as a ballplayer was what he ultimately expects from him. The skipper said he wanted no part of putting a cap on Soto's potential to become a complete ballplayer. Why? Because Soto has the talent - but maybe even more importantly - the drive, to be the best at...
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Martinez liked DH in NL and shorter doubleheaders

Martinez liked DH in NL and shorter doubleheaders
There were a few rules changes implemented in an attempt to speed up games during the abbreviated 60-game 2020 schedule: placing an automatic runner on second base in extra innings, the addition of the designated hitter in the National League and seven-inning doubleheaders. Two months after the season came to a disappointing end for the Nationals, manager Davey Martinez was asked what rules he would keep and which ones would he wants thrown in the Dumpster. There has been talk that the...
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De La Rosa stepped into leadership role at instructional league

De La Rosa stepped into leadership role at instructional league
The Nationals are building outfield talent at the lower levels of their organization. The club boasts a good amount of quality prospects that are a couple of years away from making an impact at the major league level. The highest-rated of these outfielders is Jeremy De La Rosa, who is No. 13 on the list of MLBPipeline.com Nats prospects. The 18-year-old played 26 games with the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Nationals in 2019. Former major league outfielder Gary Thurman has been the...
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Report: Nats finalize minor league managerial appointments

Report: Nats finalize minor league managerial appointments
The Nationals have set their minor league managers for 2021, according to published reports. At Triple-A Rochester, Matt LeCroy returns to the dugout, moving up from Double-A Harrisburg. Moving to the Senators to manage is Tripp Keister. At high Single-A Wilmington is Tommy Shields. Mario Lisson takes over as manager for low Single-A Fredericksburg. Since 2008, LeCroy, 45, has managed in the Nats system at low Single-A, high Single-A and Double-A and was the bullpen coach on Matt Williams'...
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Nats focus on Robles' speed and agility heading into 2021

Nats focus on Robles' speed and agility heading into 2021
Manager Davey Martinez made a point heading into this offseason to get better in outfield defense as the Nationals look to return to the top of the National League East after a fourth-place finish in 2020. In 2019, center fielder Victor Robles led the major leagues with 23 Outs Above Average (OAA) over 155 games. In 2020, in just 52 games, Robles reached only 2 OAA. Adam Eaton had a minus-1 OAA and Juan Soto a minus-2 OAA. Outfielders Michael A. Taylor and Andrew Stevenson did not register an...
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