Giolito showed "free and easy" delivery last season, will begin 2014 in Hagerstown

Giolito showed "free and easy" delivery last season, will begin 2014 in Hagerstown
The Nationals plan on starting top pitching prospect Lucas Giolito at low Single-A Hagerstown next season with the idea of getting him a full season and building up innings. Giolito pitched well at two levels last season, but was limited in the amount of innings he could pitch because he was returning from Tommy John surgery. The Nationals would like to see how Giolito fares at Hagerstown from start to start over the course of a season, but they have no set schedule of when Giolito would...

Another look at the loss of Ray in trade for pitcher Doug Fister

Another look at the loss of Ray in trade for pitcher Doug Fister
At No. 5 on the Nationals' top prospects list was left-hander Robbie Ray. Ray was sent to Detroit as part of the trade that brought starting pitcher Doug Fister to the Nationals this offseason. After the season and prior to the trade, Baseball America national writer Aaron Fitt placed Ray at No. 5 on the list, but thought the trade of Ray and Steve Lombardozzi to the Tigers was a win for Washington. "I thought it was a great trade for the Nationals to get an impact starter like Doug...

Back in home state, Anderson ready for new challenge

Back in home state, Anderson ready for new challenge
How do you top a championship season in which your team set a record for the top rookie-level winning percentage in more than 30 years? Take on the South Atlantic League, of course! Patrick Anderson, who guided the Gulf Coast League Nationals to a 52-9 record and a league title, now will try is hand as the new manager of the low Single-A Hagerstown Suns. "I am looking forward to it," Anderson said. "I just finished my first year with the organization and they have been unbelievable....

Barrett learns from his playing days, ready to teach rookies with GCL Nats

Barrett learns from his playing days, ready to teach rookies with GCL Nats
Former major league catcher Michael Barrett, who started his career with the Expos, is now back in the organization. He's beginning his new venture as manager for the Rookie-level Gulf Coast Nationals. The Atlanta native said he had thought about managing during his playing career and has kept close to the game. Recently, he has coached amateur baseball, ran a baseball school and was a volunteer assistant baseball coach at the University of North Georgia. "I always played around with the...

No. 5 Nats prospect: Sammy Solis

No. 5 Nats prospect: Sammy Solis
The Nationals' No. 5 prospect is left-hander Sammy Solis. Before we talk about the talented southpaw, I wanted to pass along where I am the next few days. I am here in Manhattan, Kan., to call the radio version of George Washington basketball against the Kansas State Wildcats. The game is Dec. 31 at 3 p.m. Eastern time on MASN2 and 1500AM in Washington, D.C., area. Manhattan is known as the "Little Apple" in reference to Manhattan in New York City. It is also about three hours northwest...

No. 6 Nats Prospect: Michael Taylor

No. 6 Nats Prospect: Michael Taylor
It was a very good season for Michael Taylor. He worked daily with then-Single-A Potomac hitting coach Mark Harris to tweak his approach at the plate. He already commanded the outfield for the P-Nats and by the end of the season, his at-bats turned into clutch moments that kept Potomac in the running for the Mills Cup title to the final few days. Recently, Taylor earned a spot on the Nationals' 40-man roster. At 22, he is the second youngest outfielder on the roster. Some guy named Bryce...

Gardner brings plethora of managerial experience to new challenge at Syracuse

Gardner brings plethora of managerial experience to new challenge at Syracuse
New Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs manager Billy Gardner Jr. had a successful run as manager of the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits. During that time, he kept tabs on the Nationals, and is excited to be able to join the organization. "I think it is going to be a really good situation with Washington," Gardner said. "From the top on down - ownership to Mike Rizzo to Doug Harris - a lot of first-class people over there who have the organization going in the right direction and I am fortunate to be a...

Nate McLouth is clutch, good call for Nationals

Nate McLouth is clutch, good call for Nationals
There will be a game, an at-bat where the signing of Nate McLouth will become a huge difference-maker for the Nationals. It will be a pinch hit in the late innings of a crucial game against the Braves, or a must-win in the playoffs. His experience with good teams in clutch situations will become an invaluable asset to the Nationals. How many times do you think manager Davey Johnson went to the bench and did not have the answer he needed in a certain situation to attempt to win a game? ...

No. 7 Nats prospect: Jake Johansen

No. 7 Nats prospect: Jake Johansen
At the end-of-season strength and conditioning camp, right-handed pitcher Jake Johansen was one of the three strongest players on hand. Johansen has the frame, a 6-foot-6 and 235-lbs., and worked very hard in his first season to command his tremendous fastball, which hit 94-96 mph and occasionally touched 99 mph. Baseball America likes what its sees from Johansen. National writer Aaron Fitt has Johansen in the top 10 of the Nationals prospects. No. 7 RHP Jake Johansen "He has always had...

Redding, Barrett rejoining organization, Gardner new Triple-A Syracuse manager

Redding, Barrett rejoining organization, Gardner new Triple-A Syracuse manager
The Nationals have added former major league catcher Michael Barrett to their minor league staff and will bring in a former Double-A Manager of the Year to be the new skipper at Triple-A Syracuse, a source with knowledge of the appointments told MASNSports.com. Also, former Nationals pitcher Tim Redding is back with the organization after being named pitching coach at short-season Single-A Auburn. Billy Gardner Jr., the 2012 Southern League Manager of the Year with Montgomery of the Tampa...

No. 8 Nats prospect: Nate Karns

No. 8 Nats prospect: Nate Karns
Nate Karns got a taste of the big leagues last season and held his own. The 6-foot-3, 230-lb. Karns did a nice job building off a very successful 2012 season by pitching well again last season. Karns went 10-6 with a 3.26 ERA in 23 starts for Double-A Harrisburg. His final numbers in his three major league starts - 0-1 with a 7.50 ERA - don't jump out, but he kept the Nationals in games against the Orioles and Braves. On June 2, he was almost able to get through five frames against Atlanta....

Where are they now: Josh Wilkie

Where are they now: Josh Wilkie
When you look back, there is always that moment, that moment where you are that close. It might happen in your personal life, your job or in your day-to-day activity. For a baseball player, it is always about that moment when you get the call to the majors or you don't. It happens quickly for some, takes a long time for others, and most never get that coveted call, the call to the big leagues. For right-handed pitcher Josh Wilkie, he believes he was close to a possible call at the end of the...

No. 9 Nats prospect: Steven Souza Jr.

No. 9 Nats prospect: Steven Souza Jr.
It was another attention grabbing season for outfielder Steven Souza Jr., in the Nationals organization. Souza also has garnered positive feedback from Baseball America, which has him moved up to the No. 9 spot in the Nationals' Top 10 prospects for 2014, according to Baseball America national writer Aaron Fitt. No. 9 OF Steven Souza Jr. "He is kind of a neat story and a talent," Fitt said. "I have heard scouts saying they really believe in him, that they think he can be a Matt...

No. 10 Nats prospect: Matt Purke

No. 10 Nats prospect: Matt Purke
The Nationals traded their fifth-ranked prospect, pitcher Robbie Ray, to the Detroit Tigers last week. But it is still a pretty good list of prospects, and the organization did not have to give up their best to make the deal for Doug Fister. Here is a look at the Nationals' top 10 prospects according to Baseball America following the trade of Ray. Over the next few weeks, we will count down to No. 1 with the help of Baseball America national writer Aaron Fitt. No. 10, LHP Matt...

Triple-A Syracuse managerial vacancy still a work in progress

Triple-A Syracuse managerial vacancy still a work in progress
Handicapping the Nationals' minor league coaching staff selections for 2014 is fairly easy considering the organization's loyalty to its managers and coaches at each level over the years. None of these appointments have been officially announced yet, but likely will be solidified by the end of the year. There are openings at the top levels with managers needed at Double-A and Triple-A. Double-A Harrisburg manager Matt Lecroy has already been announced as the Nationals' new bullpen coach,...

With Ray gone, Solis and Purke are Nats' top lefty prospects

With Ray gone, Solis and Purke are Nats' top lefty prospects
The Nationals felt so confident in the left-handed pitching they have available in their organization that they were will to part with Robbie Ray. Ray came on strong in 2013 and got a lot of attention from opposing scouts. With Double-A Harrisburg, he became a part of a very a tremendous starting five. Ray was 5-2 with a 3.72 ERA in 11 starts at Harrisburg. He had 60 strikeouts and 21 walks. For the season, combined with his high Single-A Potomac numbers, Ray went 11-5 with a 3.36 ERA and 160...

With Fister added, what's left to do to solidify roster?

With Fister added, what's left to do to solidify roster?
The Nationals acquired a frontline starter in right-hander Doug Fister on Monday, and now turn their sights on the rest of the 25-man roster. It appears now that the starting rotation is almost set for 2014, with Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Gio Gonzalez and Fister the top four. Where does this leave Ross Detwiler? Nationals executive vice president Mike Rizzo said it is not so much about Detwiler as it is that the Nats now have options for that spot this season, where they didn't...

Eating Right: Brandes on building strength within the Nationals

Eating Right: Brandes on building strength within the Nationals
Final installment in a series on how the Nationals are focusing on improving nutrition in the minor leagues. Read the second part here. The Nationals' minor league system has grown in talent and strength the last few seasons due to shrewd and strategic draft selections. The organization has also made sure those top draft picks are fed well, can build strength with the very best from every other team and do so on a level playing field. In the third installment of Eating Right, we focus on the...

This is 40: Aaron Barrett

This is 40: Aaron Barrett
Right-hander Aaron Barrett made a huge jump this season. Going from low Single-A to Double-A doesn't happen every day. But Barrett showed he belonged with an amazing start to finish, displaying closer stuff, beginning all the way back in the 2012 Arizona Fall League. It all came together this month when the 25-year-old Barrett got one of those phone calls he had dreamed about. His contract was selected for placement on the Nationals' 40-man roster. "It is definitely something that I have...

Dominican academy update on Suero, Franco and Robles

Dominican academy update on Suero, Franco and Robles
Nationals vice president of player development Doug Harris recently returned from a trip to the team's baseball academy in the Dominican Republic. He again had positive things to say about the progress of the academy. Nationals fans will begin to see a steady influx of players from the Dominican in the next few seasons. Every one of them started at this academy. The academy is run by Fausto Severino, who is their academy administrator. Severino keeps the academy running on a daily basis, and...