Byron Kerr

Norris positioned well for spring training invite

February 08, 2011, 4:38pm

Catching prospect Derek Norris is primed to begin spring training with the Nationals in Viera, Fla., next week. He will arrive at the facility a few days prior to the mandatory Feb. 15 report date. Last week, Norris was one of seven players invited to join the Nationals spring training workouts at Space Coast stadium. "It is always good to get invited to spring training especially after having a little bit of a down year last season," said Norris, who batted just .235 in 94 games for...

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LeCroy ready to get started in Potomac

February 06, 2011, 6:56pm

Nationals

The Single-A Potomac Nationals have a new manager in Matt LeCroy to defend their Mills Cup championship in 2011. The former major leaguer guided the Single-A Hagerstown Suns last season and is excited to head to Woodbridge with a few of the players that made a difference at his previous stop along for the ride. "We had a good year last year," LeCroy said. "Guys really progressed, actually way better than we thought. Now, they will be able to move up. It is a challenging league. It will be a...

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GW's Wilkie thrilled to snag invite to Viera

February 04, 2011, 12:17pm

Nationals

GW's Wilkie thrilled to snag invite to Viera

The Nationals extended invitations to spring training to another batch of players Friday and right-hander Josh Wilkie from George Washington University was among them. Wilkie notched nine holds and eight saves with a 2.45 ERA and .228 batting average against in 53 games, including one start, last season for the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs. In five minor league seasons, the 26-year-old has 28 holds, 31 saves and a 2.91 ERA in 210 games. Signed as a non-drafted free agent in June 2006, he is a...

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New coach Mark Harris ready to help teach P-Nats how to hit

February 03, 2011, 7:20pm

Nationals

New coach Mark Harris ready to help teach P-Nats how to hit

The Single-A

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Maxwell "grateful" to Nats, "excited" to join Yankees

February 02, 2011, 9:57am

Nationals

Maxwell "grateful" to Nats, "excited" to join Yankees

Former Nationals outfielder and University of Maryland star Justin Maxwell has been traded to the New York Yankees and is thrilled to be able to continue his dream of playing major league baseball. But Maxwell also will miss his former teammates and coaches. Maxwell found out about the deal only a few minutes before we talked and battled a bad cell connection when he was told. But he was able to make out "trade" and "Yankees". "I am pumped up and my family is excited, too," Maxwell...

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Tyler Moore should begin 2011 in Harrisburg

February 02, 2011, 2:55am

Nationals

Tyler Moore should begin 2011 in Harrisburg

Carolina League Player of the Year Tyler Moore is likely to begin the season in Double-A Harrisburg after smashing several records for the Mills Cup champion Potomac Nationals last year, according to Washington Nationals director of player development Doug Harris. "He had a phenomenal year, I have never seen anything like it in 22 years. He was hitting .199 at the halfway mark and ended up hitting .260 with 30-plus (homers) and 100-plus (RBIs)," Harris said. " It is really a credit to...

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Nats' Harris: "There is a plan for Bryce Harper"

January 31, 2011, 8:13pm

Nationals

Nats' Harris: "There is a plan for Bryce Harper"

With spring training just two weeks away, future prospects in the Nationals' system are getting ready to showcase their talents for the team's top brass in Florida. Nationals director of player development Doug Harris attended the Potomac Nationals Hot Stove Banquet on Sunday night in Springfield, Va., and shared some insight as to who might be with the big club as the team heads back to D.C. in late March. Harris believes the franchise has built depth that will help the Nationals get...

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Seen and heard at the P-Nats' Hot Stove Banquet

January 30, 2011, 5:40pm

Nationals

Seen and heard at the P-Nats' Hot Stove Banquet

New Potomac manager Matt LeCroy was introduced and Washington Nationals assistant general manager Bryan Minniti served as the keynote speaker at the 16th annual Potomac Nationals Hot Stove Banquet at the Hilton in Springfield, Va., on Sunday night. LeCroy was promoted in the offseason after guiding Single-A Hagerstown last year. A lot of those prospects will again be under his tutelage now at Single-A Potomac of the Carolina League. "It is a challenging league," LeCroy noted. "I...

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Mock's extra rest means he's extra ready for Viera

January 27, 2011, 4:52am

Nationals

Mock's extra rest means he's extra ready for Viera

Nationals right-hander Garrett Mock is excited to get started with the 2011 season after an injury-filled 2010 campaign that included neck surgery. Mock has been working out and throwing in his hometown of Houston and plans to report to Viera, Fla., the Nationals' spring training home, next Friday so he can find an apartment and get an early start. "I just got done with a throwing session," Mock said. "I did some long toss, nothing strenuous. I will have a longer bullpen session...

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Lannan pleased with new deal, ready for spring training

January 25, 2011, 10:18am

Nationals

Lannan pleased with new deal, ready for spring training

Nationals left-handed starter John Lannan avoided arbitration last week, signing a one-year contract reportedly worth $2.75 million. This was a significant step for Lannan after last year's odyssey from an arm injury to Double-A demotion, then back to D.C. and a powerful 6-3 finish. Lannan was very pleased to avoid an arbitration hearing and get a deal completed well before spring training. "I think overall it went well," Lannan said. "I think both sides are happy not to have to go to...

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Nats' Stammen confident as starter or reliever

January 23, 2011, 7:01pm

Nationals

Nats' Stammen confident as starter or reliever

Nationals pitcher Craig Stammen has spent most of his time this offseason working out in his hometown of Dayton, Ohio, or here in Washington as he gets ready for spring training next month. The right-hander feels very good after a successful transition to the bullpen in the second half of 2010. "I have been in D.C. more than in the past," Stammen said. "I have been able to work with our strength coach, John Philbin, and get all my stuff done. It has been good. I feel like I have my body...

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Nats need LaRoche to buck trend again, get off to hot start

January 21, 2011, 8:45am

Nationals

Nats need LaRoche to buck trend again, get off to hot start

Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche has been known as a very consistent hitter and a solid defensive performer who had trouble at the plate early on each season. That was the trend until last season when he had an unusually strong start with the Arizona Diamondbacks. So what did he change last year to get off on the right foot? "Absolutely nothing," LaRoche said last week. But LaRoche is definitely aware of his career numbers. "Obviously, early on, it got frustrating having a slow start...

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Espinosa impressed with young talent in Nats system

January 19, 2011, 7:09pm

Nationals

Espinosa impressed with young talent in Nats system

The Nationals farm system helped general manager Mike Rizzo make a trade this week for Tom Gorzelanny. Two minor league pitchers, Graham Hicks and A.J. Morris, were sent to the Chicago Cubs along with outfield prospect Michael Burgess. The team still has prospects that have impressed. making it easier for Rizzo to make such moves because there is finally some organizational depth to work from now, and other major league teams are taking notice. Rizzo has some pieces to play with now. The...

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How much will Ivan Rodriguez play in 2011?

January 18, 2011, 6:49am

Nationals

How much will Ivan Rodriguez play in 2011?

With all the talk this week about starting pitching, it would be a very good thing if the Nationals' depth at catcher could be bolstered by a healthy return of Jesus Flores, who missed last season with a shoulder injury. From all indications, general manager Mike Rizzo believes Flores will be back to "100 percent" for spring training. Flores has been limited to 29 games the past two seasons. "Jesus Flores had a terrific Venezuelan Winter League. He was happy and healthy, swinging the...

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Riggleman: Starters Nationals have can be successful

January 16, 2011, 5:53pm

Nationals

General manager Mike Rizzo used the word "disappointed" when describing the Nationals' efforts to obtain a top of the rotation starter during the winter. Although there is still a chance a starting pitcher could be brought on from the free agent market or by trade prior to spring training, manager Jim Riggleman still feels pretty good about the 2011 starting rotation with the guys that are available now and back healthy from an injury-plagued 2010. "I think our starting pitching will be...

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LaRoche: Nats Park should be tough place to play for opponents

January 14, 2011, 10:35am

Nationals

LaRoche: Nats Park should be tough place to play for opponents

Brand-new Washington Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche was introduced Friday at Nationals Park and talked about how he wants to make his new home as difficult a place to play as any in the National League. In years past as a visiting ball player, that was not the case. LaRoche arrived as a Pirate, Brave and even a Diamondback at Nats Park and those teams expected to win and usually did. "It was pretty comfortable coming in here to play a series," LaRoche remembered. "That is no...

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Detwiler says hip is healthy, ready for Viera

January 14, 2011, 7:08am

Nationals

Detwiler says hip is healthy, ready for Viera

Nationals left-hander Ross Detwiler has had a productive offseason as he recovers from a nagging hip injury that slowed down his 2010 season. Due to the injury, Detwiler was limited to five starts in 2010, appearing in eight games with a 1-3 record and finishing with a 4.25 ERA in 29 2/3 innings. Detwiler has been working out in his native Missouri in the offseason under the direction of Nationals head athletic trainer Lee Kuntz and believes he will be ready to go for spring training. "It...

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Riggleman pencils in 2011 starting lineup

January 13, 2011, 6:20am

Nationals

Riggleman pencils in 2011 starting lineup

Now that the Nationals have Adam LaRoche in the fold and patrolling first base, the 2011 starting nine is taking shape. So without Adam Dunn in the cleanup spot, does that mean that Jayson Werth will instantly slide into that role? Manager Jim Riggleman says Werth can go there sometimes. So could Ryan Zimmerman or LaRoche, depending on pitching matchups. With left-handed hitters Nyjer Morgan, Roger Bernadina, Rick Ankiel, Corey Brown, LaRoche and switch-hitter Danny Epinosa, Riggleman has...

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Espinosa regaining hand strength, will be 100 percent for Viera

January 11, 2011, 5:03pm

Nationals

Espinosa regaining hand strength, will be 100 percent for Viera

Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa told me on 106.7 The Fan in D.C. that his hand is healing well from hamate surgery and he will be good to go for next month's spring training. He says injured players are expected to report to Viera, Fla., on Feb.13. "I am working out," Espinosa said. "It has gone really well. I have progressed very quickly. I really like where I am at (with the recovery from surgery). My scar has healed great. My hand strength is higher than it was when I was...

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Bryce Harper is Baseball America's top prospect in Nats' system

January 09, 2011, 5:04pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper is Baseball America's top prospect in Nats' system

It is always fun when you can complete a top 10 list and your No. 1 prospect in the organization is considered arguably the best amateur hitting prospect of all time. Bryce Harper was picked No. 1 overall by the Nationals in the June draft, signed in mid-August, played in the instructional league and then rode the taxi squad in Scottsdale to the Arizona Fall League title. With naysayers skeptical of his placement in the advanced league in the first place, Harper went out and hit a...