Byron Kerr

Nationals announce accelerated development camp roster

February 20, 2012, 4:57pm

The Nationals have released the roster for their accelerated camp and it is a who's-who of the top talent and depth in the system as the franchise heads in to 2012. The accelerated development camp is an outstanding opportunity for the top prospects to begin spring training at the same time the major leaguers get started with the Nationals' best coaches putting them through their paces and preparing them for the season. Here is the roster: Pitchers (26) Right-handed pitchers: Dixon...

Tags:

Nationals profile rising in ESPN league rankings

February 20, 2012, 3:21am

Nationals

It seems ages ago the Nationals were battling through rough seasons and long losing streaks with a rag tag bunch that won 59 and 69 games in back-to-back seasons. But with steady improvement, keen trades and the possible windfall of arguably the top draft picks in first-year player history (Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon), the Nationals are garnering attention outside the mid-Atlantic region. And with good reason. General manager Mike Rizzo has put together a solid...

Tags:

bryce harper byron kerr gio gonzalez jordan zimmermann mike rizzo nationals stephen strasburg frontstory_nationals2

With spots available, Jeff Mandel could make big move this season

February 19, 2012, 3:48pm

Nationals

With spots available, Jeff Mandel could make big move this season

Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs reliever

Tags:

byron kerr jeff mandel nationals randy tomlin frontstory_nationals2

Nationals ready for VanAllen to take next step at Triple-A

February 16, 2012, 10:06am

Nationals

Left-hander Cory VanAllen looks poised to make the next step to Triple-A Syracuse following his best full season in the minors. The 6-foot-3, 180 lb., Bakersfield, Calif., native became a fixture in the Double-A Harrisburg Senators' bullpen, appearing in 47 games with a 5-4 record, career-best 2.50 ERA in 57 2/3 innings and 71 strikeouts. He ended the 2011 season on a hot streak, posting a 1.32 ERA in his final 10 games, allowing just two earned runs after July 31. VanAllen looked very...

Tags:

byron kerr cory vanallen harrisburg senators nationals randy tomlin frontstory_nationals2

Lefty Sam Narron leaves baseball as a player to become pitching coach for Auburn

February 14, 2012, 9:06pm

Nationals

Lefty Sam Narron leaves baseball as a player to become pitching coach for Auburn

His career in the majors lasted one start. He threw 61 pitches and faced 17 hitters, giving up three home runs, five hits and four walks. It was July 30, 2004, and despite giving up four runs, the Texas Rangers rallied to win the game so he didn't get saddled with the loss. That pitcher was Sam Narron. The left-hander spent the rest of his career trying to get back to the majors. This offseason, while considering a return with a major league team at spring training, Narron decided to...

Tags:

byron kerr doug harris jerry narron milwaukee brewers nationals sam narron frontstory_nationals3

Single-A Suns closer to moving to Winchester, Va.

February 14, 2012, 6:54pm

Nationals

Single-A Suns closer to moving to Winchester, Va.

According to legal documents which inadvertently failed to redact "Hagerstown Suns baseball club, LLC" from a single line, the Single-A Suns are apparently on the verge of moving their operations to Winchester, Va., for the 2013 season. Winchester must have a suitable stadium in place and the funding by April 21, but this development further illuminates what the parent Nationals expect in field and stadium improvements within their minor league system. Last year, the Nationals were upset...

Tags:

byron kerr nationals winchester frontstory_nationals1

Tatusko and Roark still connected as they focus on getting to D.C.

February 12, 2012, 5:37pm

Nationals

Tatusko and Roark still connected as they focus on getting to D.C.

Right-hander Ryan Tatusko gained more front-line experience early this offseason, pitching in seven games and 20 2/3 innings in the Venezuelan Winter League. The former Indiana State Sycamore went 0-5 with a 6.10 ERA, getting lit up in his final three appearances, but felt the test of facing quality hitters from several different levels will help him gear up for what he will see in 2012. Here's more insight on what Tatusko does on the mound to get guys out. His numbers were solid as he...

Tags:

byron kerr randy tomlin ryan tatusko tanner roark texas rangers frontstory_nationals2

Yankees' Levine impressed with Nationals' offseason moves

February 10, 2012, 10:34am

Nationals

I had the opportunity to speak with New York Yankees president Randy Levine, who was in town to announce a new strategic plan to improve the athletics and recreation programs at his alma mater, George Washington University (class of 1977). As the subject turned to baseball, Levine was complimentary concerning the Nationals as the Yankees prepare for their first trip to Nationals Park in June. Here is my audio interview with Levine on the Nationals and Yankees. Levine was especially...

Tags:

byron kerr edwin jackson gio gonzalez nationals randy levine yankees

Walters moving up shortstop ladder

February 08, 2012, 7:36am

Nationals

Shortstop Zach Walters, acquired from the Diamondbacks in the Jason Marquis deal last summer, was a nice pickup for the Nationals and is expected to make another big step this season. The Nationals showed their confidence in the San Diego product by selecting him to play in the Arizona Fall League. This experience, coupled with a hot bat, will pay dividends for him this upcoming campaign. Nationals infield coordinator Jeff Garber kept a watchful eye on Walters and sees various top-level tools...

Tags:

byron kerr featured_sidebar frontfeatured_nationals jeff garber nationals zach walters frontstory_nationals2

Rendon poised for first spring training with Nationals

February 07, 2012, 3:38pm

Nationals

Anthony Rendon made national headlines during his career as a power-hitting third baseman at Rice University. Rendon was expected by many to be the No. 1 overall selection in June's draft, yet his stock dropped because of injury concerns. The Nationals grabbed Rendon with the sixth pick and felt they got a steal. Many baseball authorities agreed. Baseball America Jim Callis called the the haul of Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper and Rendon as the best three-year run he had ever seen....

Tags:

doug harris jeff garber nationals rice owls rick hague featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Hassan Pena has the stuff for the majors

February 05, 2012, 6:12pm

Nationals

Hassan Pena has the stuff for the majors

Harrisburg Senators closer Hassan Pena is another reliever that could easily move up to Triple-A this season and has the stuff to pitch in the majors. After the right-handed Pena was called up to Double-A Harrisburg, he reeled off 10 saves and 55 strikeouts, notching a 2.73 ERA. He struggled, however, in seven appearances with Triple-A Syracuse, going 0-4 with a 19.29 ERA and one save. Former Senators.pitching coach Randy Tomlin said the Cuban-born Pena has shown he can deliver at any level...

Tags:

byron kerr hassan pena nationals randy tomlin frontstory_nationals3

Coffey might shelve sprint from bullpen with Dodgers

February 04, 2012, 5:28am

Nationals

Coffey might shelve sprint from bullpen with Dodgers

Setup man Todd Coffey is taking his quality stuff and energizing entrance to the west coast with the announcement that the right-hander will be leaving the Nationals to sign a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. This made me think that the engaging personality that is Coffey may hang up his famous entrance each game from the bullpen. Why? Last season, I asked Coffey if anything unusual had ever happened at any stadium when he made his famous sprints in from the bullpen after getting...

Tags:

byron kerr dodgers nationals todd coffey featured_sidebar frontfeatured_nationals frontstory_nationals1

Tyler Moore shows versatility as he prepares for first base and outfield

February 03, 2012, 4:47pm

Nationals

Tyler Moore shows versatility as he prepares for first base and outfield

First baseman Tyler Moore has been the best longball hitter in the Nationals' system the last two seasons, cranking 62 homers since 2010. But if Moore gets blocked at first base, the Nationals have given him time to learn and pick up left field at instructional camp and will do so again in spring training. Moore has worked very hard to improve his defense during the past two seasons, and Nationals infield coordinator Jeff Garber said the franchise has taken notice. "He has made tremendous...

Tags:

byron kerr jeff garber mike rizzo nationals tyler moore featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Rizzo considers a tweak in Jackson's delivery

February 02, 2012, 11:50am

Nationals

Rizzo considers a tweak in Jackson's delivery

General manager Mike Rizzo discussed the acquisition of right-handed starter Edwin Jackson Thursday in an afternoon teleconference. Rizzo was excited to add a veteran who is coming off a 12-win season and a World Series championship with the St. Louis Cardinals. Rizzo and his staff noticed a big difference in results from Jackson's delivery from the wind up versus from the stretch with men on base and when the bases are empty. The Nationals believe they can take advantage of this by changing...

Tags:

byron kerr edwin jackson mike rizzo nationals featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Double-A and Triple-A pitching still stocked in Nationals' system

February 01, 2012, 6:52pm

Nationals

Earlier this week, I was able to speak with Potomac Nationals Player of the Year Danny Rosenbaum, who now pitches for the Double-A Harrisburg Senators. He was excited about coming in to camp in better shape and was motivated to move up again this season. Former Harrisburg pitching coach Randy Tomlin said Rosenbaum "could be be better than Tom Milone" in the Nationals' system. Tomlin also went down the roster of a few other names on the pitching staff that impressed and are also primed to...

Tags:

byron kerr nationals randy tomlin sammy solis featured_sidebar frontfeatured_nationals patrick lehman patrick mccoy rafael martin frontstory_nationals3

McCatty: Detwiler's return to form a critical asset

January 31, 2012, 8:58am

Nationals

McCatty: Detwiler's return to form a critical asset

The Nationals' bullpen continues to take shape with the signing last week of reliever Brad Lidge. The veteran of the Phillies and Astros is a two-time All-Star and could go very far in shoring up the back half of the bullpen, securing the seventh, eighth and ninth frames. Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty said last week that he could envision Lidge as a guy who could finish off the seventh inning, or maybe go a full eighth inning and give way to Drew Storen. Or better yet, McCatty said...

Tags:

byron kerr nationals ross detwiler steve mccatty featured_sidebar

Harper working out in California with other Boras clients

January 30, 2012, 10:21am

Nationals

Harper working out in California with other Boras clients

Outfielder Bryce Harper is currently at agent Scott Boras' training facility in Irvine, Calif., attending the strength and conditioning program alongside other Boras clients. He arrived at the facility last week and is expected to remain there into early February. Nationals director of player development Doug Harris said the team approved of the training. "It is a great facility and it is a good opportunity for him," Harris said. "We have guidelines that we give our players as far as...

Tags:

bryce harper byron kerr doug harris scott boras featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Rosenbaum sheds weight, builds confidence

January 28, 2012, 11:50am

Nationals

Rosenbaum sheds weight, builds confidence

Danny Rosenbaum was named the Potomac Nationals' Player of the Year at the team's 17th annual Hot Stove Banquet on Sunday night at the Hyatt Fairfax at Fair Lakes. The 24-year-old southpaw went 6-5 with a 2.59 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 19 starts at Single-A Potomac. At Double-A Harrisburg, he was even better, tallying a 3-1 mark with a 2.29 ERA in six starts with 27 strikeouts. It was an impressive year at both stops, but Rosenbaum is not satisfied. "I want to get in better shape than I...

Tags:

daniel rosenbaum nationals randy tomlin byron kerr frontstory_nationals3

Nationals will focus on prospect Skole's footwork in 2012

January 27, 2012, 1:38pm

Nationals

Single-A short season Auburn Doubledays manager Gary Cathcart raved about the progress he saw in Georgia Tech third baseman Matt Skole during his rookie campaign. The 2011 fifth-round selection certainly delivered at the plate, hitting .290 with 23 doubles, one triple, five homers and 48 RBIs in 72 games. Skole also concentrated on his fielding and overall defense, especially with the one-on-one coaching provided by Nationals infield coordinator Jeff Garber and others. Garber said Skole has a...

Tags:

byron kerr jeff garber nationals ryan zimmerman matt skole frontstory_nationals3

McCatty: Lidge is "not afraid when he is out there"

January 26, 2012, 9:24am

Nationals

McCatty: Lidge is "not afraid when he is out there"

The Nationals announced Thursday they have signed two-time All-Star reliever Brad Lidge to a one-year contract. Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty said Lidge brings a lot to help make the bullpen better. Lidge comes in with 223 saves and 26 wins in 10 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies and the Houston Astros and was a National League All-Star in 2005 and 2008. "The guy obviously has a real good track record," McCatty said. "A guy that can be in the bullpen and not only still has...