Byron Kerr

Wave of Dominican prospects starts work in accelerated development program

February 21, 2014, 12:36pm

Today is the first day of the accelerated development program for the Nationals prospects in Viera, Fla. Earlier this week, we got an exclusive look at the roster, so now let's break down some of those roster highlights. Focusing on the pitchers, right-handers Lucas Giolito, Jake Johansen, Dakota Bacus and Austin Voth, and left-hander Brett Mooneyham are on this roster. It will be intriguing to see how standout pitchers from the Dominican Republic, such as right-handers Pedro Encarnacion,...

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Exclusive: Nationals' accelerated development roster revealed

February 19, 2014, 2:43am

Nationals

MASNsports.com has obtained an advance copy of the accelerated development program roster for the Nationals. It is a collection of top prospects in the system all in one place for intense, hands-on instruction during spring training. If you don't see a big name below, they are most likely in the major league camp. Players report to Viera, Fla., and begin camp on Friday, Feb. 21. Right-handed Pitchers (unless otherwise noted LHP = left-handed pitcher) (23): Dakota Bacus John Costa Matt...

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Signal crossing: Williams and Henley working on signs at third base

February 18, 2014, 3:24am

Nationals

Signal crossing: Williams and Henley working on signs at third base

One of the coaches making a big move this season besides new manager Matt Williams is Bobby Henley. Henley moves from minor league field coordinator to Nationals third base coach this season. It helps that Williams has a lot of experience as a first and third base coach himself with the Diamondbacks from 2010-13. In the first week of camp, Williams is working on the subtleties of the game with Henley, even practicing signs from the dugout to third base in Viera, Fla. "(We were working on)...

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New Triple-A Syracuse manager remembers Lobaton excelling in Tampa system

February 17, 2014, 8:05am

Nationals

New Triple-A Syracuse manager remembers Lobaton excelling in Tampa system

Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs manager Billy Gardner was in the Tampa Bay Rays organization for several years and had a chance to skipper newly acquired backup catcher Jose Lobaton while with the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits. "I always liked the way he handed the pitching staff," Gardner said. "That was the one thing that stood out. He was a good communicator. He took a lot of pride in running the pitching staff and calling the game." Gardner worked with Lobaton in 2009, 2010 and parts of 2012...

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Nationals Youth Baseball Academy on target for March 3 opening

February 14, 2014, 7:51am

Nationals

The Nationals Youth Baseball Academy, designed for elementary and middle school students in D.C., continues to put the finishing touches on the facility as it prepares for a March 3 opening at Fort Dupont Park. There has been amazing progress at the facility and grounds since the last time we visited the site in November. Compare them to the pictures here to see the big transformation. Executive director Tal Alter said planning for the programs, including initial after-school programs already...

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A look in on prospects Solis, Purke and Goodwin

February 12, 2014, 5:17am

Nationals

A look in on prospects Solis, Purke and Goodwin

A pair of the top pitching prospects in the Nationals organization are hoping to make a nice jump this season. Left-handers Sammy Solis and Matt Purke have had a similar track recently as they return from injury to pitch well. Solis returned to pitch early in the season for High Single-A Potomac. He pitched in some crucial elimination games for the P-Nats and for the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League with success. "Both pitchers are very important to the organization," said...

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Under new manager, expect Triple-A Syracuse to contend for IL crown

February 10, 2014, 6:53am

Nationals

Under new manager, expect Triple-A Syracuse to contend for IL crown

Triple-A Syracuse will feature the only manager joining the system after spending last season in another organization. Billy Gardner Jr. comes over from the Tampa Bay Rays after managing the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits. Director of player development Mark Scialabba said the Nationals are lucky to have a manager such as Gardner joining the organization. "Billy is going to bring a lot of experience to the upper levels," Scialabba said. "He is a disciplined coach. We are excited to have...

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An early look at how Double-A Harrisburg's lineup shakes out

February 07, 2014, 8:54am

Nationals

An early look at how Double-A Harrisburg's lineup shakes out

Harrisburg should once again have a talented crew as one would expect, considering Double-A is normally the stopping point for an organization's best prospects. It will be interesting to see what the Nationals decide for the Senators in the outfield. Center fielder Michael Taylor, the Single-A Potomac Nationals' 2013 Player of the Year, and outfielder Caleb Ramsey are good choices. Center fielder Brian Goodwin could possibly move up to a starting role with Triple-A Syracuse. Outfielder...

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Nationals' philosophy regarding Tommy John surgery recovery appears to be successful strategy

February 05, 2014, 6:34am

Nationals

Stephen Strasburg. Jordan Zimmermann. Sammy Solis. Lucas Giolito. Taylor Jordan. The list goes on and on of Nationals pitchers that have undergone Tommy John surgery and returned. Even a position player, Matt Skole had to undergo the procedure after a freak injury to his elbow at first base early last season. It is a surgery that is much more commonplace in today's baseball world. No one wants to have to go through the procedure or have the injury occur in the first place. But the...

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Nats No. 1 prospect: Lucas Giolito

January 31, 2014, 3:22pm

Nationals

Drum roll please, it's time to announce Baseball America's No. 1 Nats prospect. It is, of course, 19-year-old right-hander Lucas Giolito, which comes as no surprise. Giolito rebounded from Tommy John surgery to post solid numbers in his first true pro season within the Nationals organization. In eight games with Rookie-level Gulf Coast Nationals and three starts at short-season Single-A Auburn, Giolito went 2-1 with a 1.96 ERA in 11 starts. In 36 2/3 innings, Giolito struck out 39...

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Early look at how 2014 Potomac Nationals roster might shake out

January 31, 2014, 12:46pm

Nationals

The Potomac Nationals are coming off a tremendous season that saw them win both halves of the Carolina League Northern Division season and appear in the Mills Cup Championship final series. Most of those prospects from 2013 will now move on to Double-A Harrisburg. That will mean that new high Single-A manager Tripp Keister will have most of his roster from low Single-A Hagerstown to follow suit and join him in Woodbridge, Va. Here is my educated guess as to who will be on the field for the...

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More on Taylor, Purke and Solis from Baseball Prospectus

January 30, 2014, 9:24am

Nationals

More on Taylor, Purke and Solis from Baseball Prospectus

Jason Parks, the national prospect/player development writer for Baseball Prospectus, also had information on some other Nationals prospects who could possibly be close to the top 101 prospects in baseball. He had good things to say about center fielder Michael Taylor who is likely going to start for Double-A Harrisburg this April. "I have always been kind of a fan of Taylor's, just because of the tool profile," Parks said. "Michael Taylor was certainly a guy that (we) batted around a...

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Baseball Prospectus lists Giolito, Cole and Goodwin on their top 101 prospects list

January 28, 2014, 10:12am

Nationals

Baseball Prospectus lists Giolito, Cole and Goodwin on their top 101 prospects list

Baseball Prospectus came out with its top 101 prospects this week and three Nationals made the list. Lucas Giolito was No. 13, while A.J. Cole was No. 53 and Brian Goodwin was No. 86. Jason Parks, the national prospect/player development writer for Baseball Prospectus, called Giolito a potential "superstar" and flirted with placing the young right-hander in the publication's top 10. "I think with that type of player, the entire farm system looks better as a result," Parks said of...

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Michael Taylor on 40-man roster and next step with Nationals

January 27, 2014, 4:48am

Nationals

FAIRFAX, Va. - Center fielder Michael Taylor has returned from the Puerto Rican winter league and was honored Sunday as the 2013 Potomac Nationals Player of the Year at their 19th annual Hot Stove Banquet. Taylor hit .365 for los Indios de Mayaguez with seven doubles, two triples, three homers and 10 RBIs. He scored 20 runs with 50 hits and earned a .428 on-base percentage. He had a span of five games where he smacked 10 hits in the final couple of weeks of his time in Puerto Rico. "It is...

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Nats No. 2 prospect: A.J. Cole

January 24, 2014, 8:55am

Nationals

The Nationals were pleased to be able to reacquire right-handed starter A.J. Cole prior to last season in another trade involving the Oakland A's. This was the deal involving power-hitter Michael Morse and the Seattle Mariners. Cole struggled during his time with the Athletics at the high Single-A level, then gained some consistency with Oakland's low Single-A team. But Cole really got going in his second go-round with the Nationals. He not only flourished at the Single-A level this time,...

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Potomac Nationals Hot Stove Banquet set for Jan. 26

January 21, 2014, 5:49pm

Nationals

I wanted to make sure you got a chance to get your tickets for the Potomac Nationals 19th annual Hot Stove Banquet which takes place Sunday, January 26th at the Hyatt Fairfax at Fair Lakes in Fairfax, Virginia. The program begins at 5:30 p.m. and will include Washington Nationals Director of Player Development Mark Scialabba, new P-Nats manager Tripp Keister and 2013 P-Nats player of the year outfielder Michael Taylor. There will also be a silent auction which will include hallmark items such...

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Nats No. 3 prospect: Brian Goodwin

January 19, 2014, 3:15am

Nationals

Outfielder Brian Goodwin sometimes was very consistent at the plate last season for Double-A Harrisburg, but also struggled at times with strikeouts. He averaged .252 for 122 games but struck out 121 times. He had 19 doubles, 11 triples, 10 homers and 19 stolen bases. He got off to a great start for Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League, hitting .296, but still would love to cut down on the one strikeout per game average, with 22 punch outs in 19 in Arizona games. His combination of...

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Emotion of final series still lingers with Hagerstown players

January 16, 2014, 9:26am

Nationals

Emotion of final series still lingers with Hagerstown players

One of my favorite parts about watching, broadcasting and writing about sports is seeing a team grow through the season, maturing and learning, getting better at its craft, reaching its potential, ultimately earning a postseason berth and thriving. One of the amazing parts of watching minor league baseball teams have success is if you are good at your level, your organization will move you up right in the middle of the season. Another player from a lower level takes your place and the team...

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One to watch: Second base prospect Tony Renda

January 13, 2014, 5:23am

Nationals

One to watch: Second base prospect Tony Renda

Nationals second baseman prospect Tony Renda is ready to take the next step in the system after a very successful 2013 campaign with low Single-A Hagerstown. Renda batted .294 in 135 games with 99 runs, 51 RBIs, 30 stolen bases, 43 doubles, three triples and three home runs for the division champion and league finalist Suns. He also was the club's first recipient of the newly established Bob Boone award, which exemplifies "a player that has demonstrated professionalism, leadership, loyalty,...

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Nats No. 4 prospect: Matt Skole

January 10, 2014, 12:16pm

Nationals

First/third baseman Matt Skole would like nothing better than to be able to have a healthy 2014 season after last season ended abruptly. Skole underwent Tommy John surgery after injuring his elbow on a play at first base early in the Double-A Harrisburg Senators season. Skole was able to play in the Arizona Fall League, but still was never completely 100 percent. Finally, he will get his shot this season to log several at-bats and games to get his season going and prove again he is the power...