Byron Kerr

More changeups could help keep Glover healthy

January 01, 2019, 3:29pm

The Nationals couldn't end the season on a run that netted a playoff spot, but right-hander Koda Glover was able to finish the season healthy for the first time in two campaigns. The 6-foot-5, 215-lb. right-hander hasn't been able to pitch more than 25 innings or appear in more than 24 games in his three seasons with the Nats. Glover, 25, returned to the lineup in August of last season, his first meaningful baseball since June 2017. It was an up-and-down return, but in the last month, he got...

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LeMahieu, Gonzalez and Harrison lead second base market

December 31, 2018, 8:40am

Nationals

LeMahieu, Gonzalez and Harrison lead second base market

2B or not 2B? That is the question ... at least for the next six weeks or so. The club has made nice moves in the offseason to secure a pair of front-line starters, a pair veteran catchers, solid bullpen arms and a familiar backup first baseman. But what about a starting second baseman? The Nationals continue to look around at veteran impact second basemen to add to the mix of Wilmer Difo, Howie Kendrick and Carter Kieboom (down the line). The best-case scenario is to get a second baseman who...

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Nats top prospects: No. 5 - RHP Will Crowe

December 28, 2018, 1:59am

Nationals

Nats top prospects: No. 5 - RHP Will Crowe

Right-hander Wil Crowe is hoping to put it all together in 2019 after slowing down a bit at the end of 2018. The 6-foot-2, 240-lb. starter went 11-0 to begin the season with high Single-A Potomac, but then went 0-5 after being elevated to Double-A Harrisburg. Baseball America believes Crowe still has a lot of upside and lists him as its No. 5 prospect in the Nats top 10. National writer Carlos Collazo says Crowe does not have overpowering stuff, but does have an intricate repertoire that makes...

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Nats top prospects: No. 6 - LHP Tim Cate

December 26, 2018, 2:43am

Nationals

Nats top prospects: No. 6 - LHP Tim Cate

The Nationals certainly hope that some of their cache of left-handed starters can make their way to the big club over the next few seasons to help bolster the rotation. Seth Romero and Tim Cate - the Nats' No. 6 prospect, according to Baseball America - come to mind. The Nats took Cate in the second round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft. The 21-year-old from Manchester, Conn. demonstrated his ability with solid performances for the University of Connecticut over a pair of seasons. Cate,...

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Nats top prospects: No. 7 - LHP Seth Romero

December 24, 2018, 4:08am

Nationals

Nats top prospects: No. 7 - LHP Seth Romero

This is an important year for the No. 7 player in Baseball America's list of the Nationals' top 10 prospects. Talented left-hander Seth Romero had issues that hampered his career at the University of Houston and slowed his start with the Nats after he was drafted as a first-round pick in 2017. But as national writer Carlos Collazo notes, there is no denying the potential for the 22-year-old Romero and the Nationals are being patient right now, hoping he can get it right and demonstrate his...

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Nats top prospects: No. 8 - RHP Sterling Sharp

December 21, 2018, 2:21am

Nationals

Nats top prospects: No. 8 - RHP Sterling Sharp

The No. 8 Nats prospect got to pitch at Nats Park during the club's preparation for the 2017 National League playoffs. Right-hander Sterling Sharp and a few of his minor league teammates helped Nats batters get ready for the Chicago Cubs with simulated games. Sharp, at 6-foot-4, 170 pounds, was a 22nd-round selection in the 2016 draft out of Drury (Mo.). Sharp, 23, pitched for Double-A Harrisburg in 2018, going 6-3 in 13 starts with a 4.33 ERA in 68-plus innings. An outstanding athlete, Sharp...

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Adams credits Nats coaching staff for keeping him on track

December 19, 2018, 2:24am

Nationals

Adams credits Nats coaching staff for keeping him on track

It is a big deal the Nationals were able to quickly get Matt Adams back in the fold for 2019 and with a mutual option for 2020. Adams, 30, appeared in 94 games for the Nats last season before being traded to the Cardinals. He was important to the Nats when first baseman Ryan Zimmerman was on the disabled list. Adams started 57 games, hit18 homers and contributed 48 RBIs. Known for his power, Adams also takes pride in his defense. In 2016, his range factor of 10.29 was the best in the majors for...

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Nats top prospects: No. 9 - SS Yasel Antuna

December 17, 2018, 3:02am

Nationals

Nats top prospects: No. 9 - SS Yasel Antuna

The Nationals were thrilled a couple of years ago when they were able to sign international prospects Yasel Antuna and Luis Garcia. Both have made it to the top 10 on the 2019 Nats prospects list per Baseball America. Antuna, 19, was the publication's No. 14 international prospect in the 2016 class, and the Nats like the power he was capable of producing at the plate. But this past season, he had Tommy John surgery and is now on the road to recovery. He has primarily played shortstop, but can...

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Nats top prospects: No. 10 - RHP Jake Irvin

December 13, 2018, 11:43am

Nationals

Nats top prospects: No. 10 - RHP Jake Irvin

Let's run down the recently released Top 10 Nationals prospects according to Baseball America, counting down from No. 10 to No. 1, as the end of the year approaches. We begin with the No. 10 Nats prospect: right-hander Jake Irvin. Irvin, 21, was selected in the fourth round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of Oklahoma. He is 6-foot-6, 225 lbs., and got to pitch in 11 games, starting seven, for the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Nationals and the short-season Single-A Auburn...

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Corbin on why he took a step forward in 2018

December 08, 2018, 3:31am

Nationals

Corbin on why he took a step forward in 2018

Left-hander Patrick Corbin had a standout season pitching for the Diamondbacks in 2018. He demonstrated strength and durability, starting 33 games, winning 11 games and posting a career-best 3.15 ERA. He has started 32 or more games in four of his first six seasons. Corbin struck out a career-high 246 batters in 2018. He said he realized that off-speed pitches were becoming very effective after strategizing with Diamondbacks hitters. "I've learned a lot through talking with our hitters,"...

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Bourque's transition to bullpen goes well

December 06, 2018, 3:11pm

Nationals

Bourque's transition to bullpen goes well

Right-hander James Bourque spent his first few seasons in the system as a starter. But last season, he was moved to the bullpen. Bourque, 25, pitched well at the University of Michigan and caught the eye of the Nationals' area scout. In the 2014 First-Year Player Draft, the Nats selected the right-hander in the 14th round. But early on as a starter, he recorded a 5.05 ERA in 40 starts over two seasons for low Single-A Hagerstown. The Nats then decided to move Bourque from starter to reliever...

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Justin Miller excited to be back with Nationals for 2019

December 04, 2018, 7:57pm

Nationals

After pitching only in the minor leagues in 2017, right-hander Justin Miller made a return to the major leagues with the Nationals last season and did quite well. In 51 games, Miller went 7-1 with a 3.61 ERA and two saves. In 52 1/3 innings, he struck out 60 batters and walked 17. In his three seasons with Detroit and Colorado, Miller combined for a total of five wins and one save over 88 1/3 frames. On Sunday at Nats Winterfest, Miller said he was thankful for his season and do have an...

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Scherzer excited to work with new catchers Gomes and Suzuki

December 02, 2018, 5:11pm

Nationals

Scherzer excited to work with new catchers Gomes and Suzuki

The newest additions to the Nationals roster for 2019 directly affect right-hander Max Scherzer. Within the past two weeks, veteran catchers Kurt Suzuki and Yan Gomes were added to the roster. So what does the Nats' No. 1 starter, Cy Young Award winner and most important player think about these changes to the person that will call his games? "You're always developing trust," Scherzer said Sunday at Nationals Winterfest. "I go back to Willy (Ramos) and Matt Wieters, there's times where...

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Fedde on potential spot in rotation: "It's everything"

December 02, 2018, 8:32am

Nationals

Fedde on potential spot in rotation: "It's everything"

With left-hander Gio Gonzalez gone and right-hander Joe Ross returning from injury, the door is wide open for right-hander Erick Fedde to take advantage and grab one of the remaining spots in the Nationals rotation for 2019. The focus for Fedde in the offseason is figuring out a way to be durable enough to make it through an entire season. So his plan is to add weight and add muscle. "Offseason plans are usually the same. It's always been put on weight, put on weight for me," Fedde said...

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Carter Kieboom on playing second base: "They have that trust in me"

December 02, 2018, 6:58am

Nationals

Carter Kieboom on playing second base: "They have that trust in me"

Carter Kieboom was able to play second base once a week during the Arizona Fall League this year after playing shortstop exclusively in his entire professional career. Kieboom said at Nationals Winterfest he understands the Nats think very highly of him to fast track him a bit, working at another position and getting a shot to play against the best in the AFL. "It always feel good when you receive that sort of positive attention," Kieboom said. "I think as a player that's kind of what you...

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Will Nats' outfield defense be better if Harper moves on?

November 29, 2018, 2:45am

Nationals

Will Nats' outfield defense be better if Harper moves on?

It wasn't a great season for Bryce Harper defensively, but MLBPipeline.com's Jim Callis cautions to not get too worked up about the phenom's numbers with a gloved hand. "What is a little odd to me is the defensive metrics fluctuate from year to year with the same guys," Callis said. "Like Harper, without looking at it, had horrific numbers (in 2018). I don't know if he will be back. But a couple of years ago, he wasn't bad at all (on defense)." One metric that measures fielding skill...

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News on four Nationals pitchers from Arizona Fall League

November 26, 2018, 8:25am

Nationals

MLBPipeline.com's Jim Callis believes the three left-handers the Nationals sent to the Arizona Fall League could all be useful out of the bullpen going forward. Ben Braymer, Taylor Guilbeau and Jordan Mills pitched well in Arizona, playing a part in the Salt River Rafters reaching the title game. "Guilbeau has the best velocity out of any of them and probably the least control," Callis said. "Braymer had a great year, (being named) Minor League Pitcher of the Year in the organization. I...

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Carter Kieboom has a good shot at Nats in 2019

November 24, 2018, 8:00am

Nationals

Carter Kieboom has a good shot at Nats in 2019

Shortstop Carter Kieboom advanced to Double-A in 2018 within the Nationals organization. The 2016 first-round selection was also invited to participate in the Arizona Fall League. His team, the Salt River Rafters, advanced to the title game. Kieboom got some playing time at second base for the first time in his professional career. He hit .295 with a .427 on-base percentage in the AFL over 21 games. Nationals director of player development Mark Scialabba said the organization wanted to get...

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With Suzuki in the fold, will the Nats stay out of Realmuto bidding?

November 23, 2018, 12:52am

Nationals

With Suzuki in the fold, will the Nats stay out of Realmuto bidding?

Newly reacquired catcher Kurt Suzuki returns to D.C. as the Nationals look to bounce back from a down year. They missed the postseason for the first time since 2015 and saw the Braves (including Suzuki) win the National League East. Now that he's back with the Nats, can Suzuki help them with his bat as well as his his game-calling and defense behind the plate? He just had two very good years with the bat for the Braves. Or are the Nats OK with average offense output from that spot in the order...

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Suzuki enjoying a "renaissance" at the plate

November 21, 2018, 2:57am

Nationals

Suzuki enjoying a "renaissance" at the plate

Catcher Kurt Suzuki is coming off his two best years at the plate, hitting .276 with an .825 OPS over the last two seasons with the Atlanta Braves. Now he is back with the Nationals. And maybe more importantly, not with the Braves. Against the Nats for 12 games in 2017, Suzuki hit .340 with three doubles, four homers and 13 RBIs. In 2018, he was not as formidable against the Nats in 11 games with a .265 average, two homers and two RBIs. He hit .317 in late-and-close situations, according to...