Nationals select third baseman Yohandy Morales

Yohandy Morales Miami

The Washington Nationals selected collegiate third baseman Yohandy Morales out of the University of Miami with the No. 40 pick in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft on Sunday. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo, Assistant General Manager & Vice President of Scouting Operations Kris Kline and Director of Scouting Operations Eddie Longosz made the joint announcement.

Morales, 21, garnered Third-Team All-America honors from The American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings and First-Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference recognition following the 2023 season.

The No. 20 draft prospect according to MLBPipeline.com and No. 26 draft prospect according to Baseball America, Morales hit .408 with 13 doubles, 20 home runs, 70 RBI, 30 walks, 55 strikeouts, seven stolen bases and 58 runs scored in 61 games. He posted a .475 on-base percentage and a .713 slugging percentage. Morales ranked in the ACC in batting average (1st, .408), slugging (3rd, .713), OPS (3rd, 1.187), RBI (4th, 70) and home runs (6th, 20).

The 6-foot-4, 225-pound junior reached base in 55 of his 61 games in 2023, hitting safely in 50 of those contests. Morales also posted four multi-home run games and 19 multi-RBI games, including three five-RBI performances.

As a sophomore in 2022, Morales was named Second-Team All-Region by ABCA/Rawlings and Second-Team All-ACC after he hit .329 with 17 doubles, three triples, 18 home runs, 59 RBI, 34 walks, six stolen base and 65 runs scored.

Continue reading

Nationals select outfielder Dylan Crews

Dylan Crews LSU

The Washington Nationals selected collegiate outfielder Dylan Crews out of Louisiana State University with the No. 2 pick in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft on Sunday. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo, Assistant General Manager & Vice President of Scouting Operations Kris Kline and Director of Scouting Operations Eddie Longosz made the joint announcement.

Crews, 21, was the winner of the 2023 Golden Spikes Award, given annually to the top amateur player in the country. In addition, he garnered consensus First-Team All-American honors and won a Rawlings/ABCA Gold Glove following the 2023 season. Crews was named the 2023 Southeastern Conference (SEC) Player of the Year for the second consecutive season – becoming the first player to win the award in back-to-back seasons, and was a member of the SEC All-Defensive Team two years in a row (2022-23). He was a finalist for the Dick Howser Award (top collegiate player).

The No. 1 draft prospect according to Baseball America, Crews hit .426 with 16 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs, 70 RBI, 71 walks, 46 strikeouts, six stolen bases and 100 runs scored in 71 games as he helped lead LSU to its seventh national championship in the 2023 College World Series. He posted a .567 on-base percentage and a .713 slugging percentage. Crews led the SEC and ranked among NCAA Division I hitters in runs scored (1st, 100), walks (1st, 71), hits (2nd, 110), on-base percentage (2nd, .567) and batting average (3rd, .426).

The six-foot, 205-pound junior reached base safely in all 71 games in 2023, a streak that extends to 75 games dating to the end of the 2022 season. Crews hit safely in 26 straight games from Feb. 19 to April 1 of this season. He hit .495 (49-for-99) with an .879 slugging percentage, 11 doubles, nine homers, 35 RBI, 27 walks, three stolen bases and 46 runs scored during the streak.

Crews was a consensus First-Team All-American and the SEC co-Player of the Year as a sophomore in 2022. He hit .349 with 11 doubles, four triples, 22 home runs, 72 RBI, 42 walks, five stolen bases and 73 runs scored in 62 games. He was Louisiana State’s first SEC Player of the Year since 2012, and his 22 home runs were the most by an LSU player since 2009.

Continue reading

Mountcastle reinstated to O's

mountcastle swing white

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

- Reinstated INF Ryan Mountcastle from the 10-day Injured List.

- Optioned LHP Bruce Zimmermann to Triple-A Norfolk.

Nationals recall Adon

Adon throwing white behind

The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher Joan Adon from Triple-A Rochester and optioned left-handed pitcher Joe La Sorsa to Triple-A Rochester on Friday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Adon, 24, joins the Nationals for the first time this season after beginning the season with Triple-A Rochester. In his last six outings for the Red Wings, Adon went 1–2 with a 3.44 ERA (13 ER/34.0 IP) with 27 strikeouts and 14 walks. He worked at least 5.0 innings in each of those starts, including four 6.0-inning performances. In all, Adon went 2–5 with a 4.81 ERA (41 ER/76.2 IP) with 67 strikeouts and 35 walks in 15 starts in Triple-A this season.

Adon made his first Opening Day roster in 2022 and recorded his first career win on April 19 vs. Arizona (6.1 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 SO). Adon finished the 2022 Triple-A season strong, going 2–0 with a 2.84 ERA and a .205 opponents’ average in his final five starts after Sept. 1.

La Sorsa, 25, was 0–0 with a 18.00 ERA in five games with the Nationals in 2023.

Nationals recall Call, Hill DFA

placeholder-natspark

The Washington Nationals recalled outfielder Alex Call from Triple-A Rochester and designated outfielder Derek Hill for assignment on Wednesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Call, 28, hit .275 with three doubles, a home run, three RBI, seven walks, three stolen bases and five runs scored in 11 games for Triple-A Rochester. He reached base safely in 10 of his 11 games, collecting at least one hit in eight of those contests. Call returns for his second stint in Washington this season after he made the team out of Spring Training and was optioned June 16.

Call has played in 64 games with the Nationals in 2023. He’s hit .209 with nine doubles, three home runs, 20 RBI, 26 walks, 24 runs, and six stolen bases. He delivered the Nationals’ only walk-off win so far this season, hitting his first career walk-off home run on May 4 against the Chicago Cubs.

Hill, 27, hit .170 with one RBI, one stolen base and three runs scored in 13 games for Washington.

Please see the attached documents for the updated 40-man and 26-man rosters.

Orioles select contracts of Cowser, Barzardo

Generic-Gates

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

  • Selected the contract of OF Colton Cowser from Triple-A Norfolk. He will wear No. 17 and his first appearance will be his Major League debut.
  • Selected the contract of RHP Eduard Bazardo from Triple-A Norfolk. He will wear No. 67.
  • Optioned OF Ryan McKenna to Triple-A Norfolk after yesterday’s game.
  • Designated C Anthony Bemboom for assignment.
  • Designated RHP Chris Vallimont for assignment.

The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 40 players.

Orioles reinstate McCann, place Pérez on IL

mccann gray

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

  • Reinstated C James McCann from the 10-day Injured List.
  • Recalled LHP Bruce Zimmermann from Triple-A Norfolk.
  • Placed LHP Cionel Pérez on the 15-day Injured List with left forearm soreness, retroactive to July 3.
  • Optioned RHP Chris Vallimont to Triple-A Norfolk after yesterday’s game.

Gray named All-Star

gray pitches blue

Washington Nationals right-handed pitcher Josiah Gray has been selected to represent the organization in the 2023 Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Seattle. His first All-Star selection, Gray was chosen by Major League Baseball. The 2023 All-Star teams were unveiled earlier this evening during the “2023 Scotts MLB All-Star Selection Show” on ESPN.

Gray, 25, leads Washington’s starting rotation and ranks 10th in the National League with a 3.30 ERA through 17 starts this season. He also leads the rotation in wins (6), opponents’ slash line (.247/.330/.396), home runs allowed per 9.0 innings (1.13) and walks/hits per innings pitched (1.38). His 86 strikeouts and 8.12 strikeouts per 9.0 innings are second among Nationals starters.

Gray ranks second in all of Major League Baseball and is currently in the top five in Nationals history (2005-pres.) with a 2.39 road ERA so far this season. He has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 10 of his 11 road starts while posting a 4-3 record along the way.

In nine starts from April 6 to May 21, Gray pitched to a 2.05 ERA (12 ER/52.2 IP), the fourth-best mark in the National League over that span. He struck out 43 batters and allowed just two home runs during the best nine-game stretch of his career. Gray’s three signature outings of the season came during this stretch of games. On April 25 at New York (NL), Gray struck out a season-high nine batters in 6.0 innings of four-hit, shutout ball in a win over the Mets. He then tossed 7.0 innings in back-to-back starts, May 10 at San Francisco (7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO) and May 16 at Miami (7.0 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO).

The Player Ambassador to the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy, Gray is in his third season with the Washington Nationals after he was acquired at the 2021 Trade Deadline. In 57 starts for the Nationals, Gray is 15-18 with a 4.55 ERA and 8.89 strikeouts per 9.0 innings.

O's select Vallimont contract, option Zimmermann, put Givens on 60-day IL

Generic-Gates

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

  • Selected the contract of RHP Chris Vallimont from Triple-A Norfolk. He will wear No. 75 and his first appearance will be his Major League debut.
  • Optioned LHP Bruce Zimmermann to Triple-A Norfolk.
  • Transferred RHP Mychal Givens to the 60-day Injured List with right shoulder inflammation.

The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 40 players.

Nationals recall LHP Ferrer

placeholder-natspark

The Washington Nationals recalled left-handed pitcher Jose A. Ferrer from Triple-A Rochester and placed left-handed pitcher Patrick Corbin on the Bereavement List on Friday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Ferrer, 23, joins the Nationals after beginning the season with Triple-A Rochester, where he was 4-3 with 3.83 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 34 games (40.0 innings). Ferrer did not allow a run in his final five games since June 17 and held opponents to a .158 average (3-for-19). He struck out nine in 6.0 innings over that span, including striking out the side on June 22 against Omaha (KCR).

Ferrer enjoyed a breakout season in 2022, that included being selected to participate in the 2022 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Dodger Stadium (0.1 IP, SO). He went 3-2 with 11 saves and a 2.48 ERA in 48 relief appearances between Single-A Fredericksburg, High-A Wilmington and Double-A Harrisburg. Ferrer posted 78 strikeouts and just 11 walks in 65.1 innings between the three stops. He ranked among Nationals Minor Leaguers in saves (3rd, 11) and games (T3rd, 48). In 22 games from June 5 to Aug. 11, he went 2-0 with six saves and a 0.86 ERA (3 ER/31.1 IP) while pitching for High-A Wilmington. This included an 18.2 scoreless innings streak from June 5 to July 10, the longest scoreless innings streak among South Atlantic League pitchers in 2022.

A native of Maimόn, Dominican Republic, Ferrer signed with the Nationals as a non-drafted free-agent on July 2, 2017.

Corbin, 33, is 5-9 with a 4.93 ERA in 17 starts this season.

MASN adds three new broadcasters to its air

Mike Deveraux

(Baltimore) - June 30 - The Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) today announced the addition of three individuals – Brad Brach, Mike Devereaux and Jason La Canfora – to join an already talented group of broadcasters to enhance the on-air endgame experience for fans and bring familiar voices to the broadcast as the Orioles make a push for the postseason.

Brach will be joining the booth for a select number of games as a second analyst alongside Ben McDonald or Jim Palmer. He enjoyed an 11-year MLB career from 2011-21 with six teams, including the Orioles from 2014-18. He was an All-Star in 2016 while going 27-15 with 32 saves and a 2.99 ERA (109 ER/327.2 IP) in 288 games with the O’s, including helping the team win the American League East in 2014 and earn a postseason berth in 2016. He retired from playing following the 2022 season.

Devereaux has been added for a select number of games and will also join the booth as a second analyst. Seven of his 12 MLB seasons from 1989-1994 and 1996 were spent in Baltimore. Outside of Orioles Legend and Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr., nobody played more games with the O’s during that time than Devereaux, who was inducted into the Orioles Hall of Fame in 2021. He helped the team to a playoff appearance in 1996. 

La Canfora joins as a game broadcast contributor and to O’s Xtra Pre/Post Game Shows. The Baltimorean has previous on-air experience with NFL Network (NFL Gameday and Thursday night football, CBS, and the Washington Post. He currently hosts Inside Access on 105.7 WJZ-FM. 

The Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) is a regional sports network and multimedia platform that televises every available game of both the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals, pre- and postgame shows, and NCAA Division I men’s and women’s sports, totaling more than 500 live events annually.  The network is available in a seven-state region, from Harrisburg, Pa., to Charlotte, N.C., on 25 cable and fiber optic providers, and is televised nationally via satellite provider DirecTV. MASN’s digital home - https://www.masnsports.com/ - features news and sports content and offers in-market streaming of both O’s and Nats games.  MASN has won more than 100 Emmy and Addy awards for broadcast and marketing excellence.

Nationals celebrate July 4 with service members across the globe

placeholder-natspark

The Washington Nationals will celebrate July Fourth with service members across the world as the team’s game vs. the Cincinnati Reds will be simulcast to bases everywhere via the American Forces Network as part of AFN’s partnership with Major League Baseball. The Nationals will also hold a special watch party with military members stationed at Al Udeid Air Base, which hosts the largest expeditionary wing in the world, as part of the first edition of Nats on Base Abroad.

“Honoring and supporting our nation’s military and their families is central to who we are as an organization,” said Mark D. Lerner, Washington Nationals Managing Principal Owner. “We’re incredibly proud to expand our Nats on Base program to deliver the Nationals Park experience to thousands of our troops stationed overseas, while also reaching service members worldwide thanks to the American Forces Network.” 

Former Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche, host Mike Ploger and mascot Screech will bring our nation’s pastime to military members stationed at AUAB, including an honorary first pitch, ballpark games, prizes and a very special Salute to Service. Live footage from the watch party will be integrated into the game’s video board programming and MASN telecast, creating a true international viewing event. Lerner Sports Chief Operating Officer and Washington Nationals Partner Alan H. Gottlieb will accompany a staff of community engagement, marketing and video production personnel to the base, representing the Washington Nationals organization and providing troops with the most authentic gameday experience possible.

The Nationals are proud to welcome family of service members stationed at AUAB to Nationals Park for the game and will air special messages from players, troops and their families on the video board during the game and throughout the MASN and AFN simulcast.

This July Fourth marks the 80th anniversary of the American Forces Network’s first radio broadcast to U.S. troops in Europe during World War II. Corporal Syl Binkin delivered the radio address in England, becoming America’s first military broadcaster. 

Continue reading

Nationals recall Espino, designate Kuhl for assignment

placeholder-natspark

The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher Paolo Espino from Triple-A Rochester and designated right-handed pitcher Chad Kuhl for assignment on Saturday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. 

Espino, 36, joins the Nationals for the first time this season after beginning the season with Triple-A Rochester. He posted a 2.12 ERA in his 23 relief appearances for Washington in 2022.  In all, Espino pitched in a career-high 42 games last season, matching a career-high with 19 starts after he opened the season in the bullpen and joined the rotation on June 12. He ranked eighth in the National League with 1.91 walks per 9.0 innings (min. 100.0 IP). Espino issued just four walks in 30.1 innings across his first 21 outings and tossed scoreless relief in 16 of the 21 games (2.08 ERA).

Espino pitched in 11 games for Rochester this season, all starts. He was 3-2 with a 4.56 ERA (25 ER/49.1 IP) with 43 strikeouts. He pitched 5.0 or more innings in eight of his last nine outings and allowed three runs or less in five of his last six.

Kuhl, 30, posted an 8.45 ERA in 16 games, five starts, for Washington.

Mullins, Zimmermann return; Gillaspie, Lester optioned

Generic-Gates

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

  • Reinstated OF Cedric Mullins from the 10-day Injured List.
  • Recalled LHP Bruce Zimmermann from Triple-A Norfolk.
  • Optioned RHP Logan Gillaspie to Triple-A Norfolk.
  • Optioned INF/OF Josh Lester to Triple-A Norfolk.

Orioles trade Watkins to Astros

Generic-Baseballs-3

The Orioles have made the following roster move:

  • Traded RHP Spenser Watkins to the Houston Astros in exchange for cash considerations.

Nationals select Hill contract, put Robles on IL

placeholder-natspark

The Washington Nationals selected the contract of outfielder Derek Hill from Triple-A Rochester and placed outfielder Victor Robles on the 10-day Injured List with back spasms in the lumbar spine on Wednesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Hill, 27, joins the Nationals after hitting .320 with 11 doubles, two triples, eight home runs, 31 RBI, 18 walks, 11 stolen bases and 40 runs scored in 52 games between High-A Wilmington and Triple-A Rochester. He appeared in 45 games in center field, four in left field and two in right field.

A non-roster invite to 2023 Spring Training, Hill leads Washington’s system in batting average (.320) and ranks among Nationals Minor Leaguers in slugging percentage (2nd, .521), OPS (2nd, .903), runs scored (2nd, 40), on-base percentage (3rd, .382), home runs (T4th, 8) and RBI (T6th, 31).

Hill hit safely in 19 straight games from May 14 to June 7, going 31-for-78 (.397) with seven doubles, two triples, four homers, 18 RBI, 11 walks and 20 runs scored during the longest active streak in Minor League Baseball at the time. He capped it with four straight multi-hit efforts. 

A native of Des Moines, Iowa and graduate of Elk Grove (Calif.) High School, Hill was originally selected by the Detroit Tigers in the first round (No. 23) of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft. During his time in their system, he was cited by Baseball America as being Detroit’s “Best Defensive Outfielder” (2018-21), “Best Athlete” (2018) and “Fastest Baserunner” (2018-19).

Continue reading

Orioles select Bemboom's contract, recall Gillaspie in series of moves

gillaspie pitching white

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

  • Selected the contract of C Anthony Bemboom from Triple-A Norfolk.
  • Recalled RHP Logan Gillaspie from Triple-A Norfolk.
  • Designated RHP Spenser Watkins for assignment.
  • Optioned C José Godoy to Triple-A Norfolk.
  • RHP Noah Denoyer has cleared outright waivers and been assigned to Triple-A Norfolk.

The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 40 players.

MASN and Ice Cube's BIG3 launch programming and community impact partnership

GettyImages-1416689655-1
MASN and ICE CUBE’S BIG3 Launch Programming and Community Impact Partnership
 
3 on 3 Professional Basketball League Is the Hottest Growth Property in Sports
 
Growing Ratings and Community Impact Programs Are the Focus of MASN-BIG3 Partnership
 
Network Joins CBS Sports as Media Home to BIG3
 
MASN to Carry 52 BIG3 2023 Games Throughout its Seven-State Television Territory

 

LOS ANGELES and BALTIMORE, MD – June 20, 2023 — The Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) and Ice Cube’s BIG3 pro league are joining forces to launch a programming and community partnership, bringing the excitement of televised three-on-three basketball to seven new states. This historic partnership will allow for viewing 52 professional 3-on-3 basketball league games this summer, starting later this month.
 
The BIG3 league, founded by producer, actor, and artist Ice Cube has quickly become the hottest growth property in sports. The summer 3-on-3 tour tips off Sunday, June 25, extending nine weeks with games in Chicago, Dallas, New York, Memphis, Miami, Boston, DC, Charlotte, and Detroit. All-Star and Championship Games will take place across the pond in London, England, on August 26th.
 
BIG3 features many of the biggest names in basketball history, including coaches Gilbert Arenas, Charles Oakley, George Gervin, Gary Payton, Nancy Lieberman, Stephen Jackson, Lisa Leslie, Rick Barry, Rick Mahorn, and Julius Erving.   Players this year include Joe Johnson, Jason Richardson, Nick Young, Michael Beasley, Isaiah Briscoe, Mario Chalmers, Leandro Barbosa, Gerald Green, Frank Nitty, Kevin Murphy, and many more.
 
MASN will televise BIG3 on MASN and MASN2.  A promotional video of the partnership is available here:
 
"The addition of MASN to our media partnership family is a tremendous milestone for the BIG3,” said Ice Cube. “This collaboration allows us to bring more of BIG3’s signature style of 3-on-3 to an area of the country that has shown us tons of love.”
 
“Cube and BIG3 energize communities across the country," said MASN and Orioles Chair, CEO, and Managing Partner John Angelos. “This partnership is another step toward merging Major League Baseball's economic development power and our network’s world-class live entertainment production capabilities with visionaries like Cube and Jeff. MLB and BIG3 can together rejuvenate the communities where our kids learn, live, and play."
 
“Our primary goal has been working to get all of our games in front of the best sports fans,” said BIG3 President and Co-Founder Jeff Kwatinetz. “The Mid-Atlantic region has some of the most dedicated BIG3 fans, and we are excited to bring FIREBALL, our unique brand of play, to a top tier regional sports network that is already home to iconic, must-see sports teams like the Orioles.”
 
The BIG3 is returning to a full nationwide touring model with stops at arenas in Dallas, New York, Memphis, Miami, Boston, Charlotte, Detroit, Washington D.C., and London, England.
 
Tickets for the first three weeks of season six are available here. To learn more about the BIG3 and see the full season schedule, go to BIG3.com and follow @thebig3 on twitter and Instagram.
 
ABOUT BIG3:
BIG3 (BIG3.com) is who we are, FIREBALL3 is what we play. It’s not your grandfather’s 3-on-3. The premier global BIG3 league features many of the greatest, most popular, and skilled professional athletes of all time. Founded by producer, actor and music legend Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz, the BIG3 combines highly competitive, physical, fast game experiences and incredible fan experiences. In 2023, the BIG3 was named “Best in Web3” by Sports Business Journal for the league’s groundbreaking Web3 Project, Forever Experience Action Tokens (FEATs), offering utility and ownership-like value in BIG3 teams via blockchain technology.
 
ABOUT MASN:
The Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) is a regional sports network and multimedia platform that televises every available game of both the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals, pre- and postgame shows, and NCAA Division I men’s and women’s sports, totaling more than 500 live events annually.  The network is available in a seven-state region, from Harrisburg, Pa., to Charlotte, N.C., on 25 cable and fiber optic providers, and is televised nationally via satellite provider DirecTV. MASN’s digital home - https://www.masnsports.com/ - features news and sports content and offers in-market streaming of both O’s and Nats games.  MASN has won more than 100 Emmy and Addy awards for broadcast and marketing excellence.

Orioles select Godoy's contract as McCann goes on IL, Garrett DFA

Generic-Baseballs-3

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

  • Selected the contract of C José Godoy from Triple-A Norfolk. He will wear #77.
  • Placed C James McCann on the 10-day Injured List with a left ankle sprain.
  • Designated RHP Reed Garrett for assignment.

The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 40 players.

Watkins recalled, Garrett to Norfolk

Generic-Gates

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

  • Recalled RHP Spenser Watkins from Triple-A Norfolk.
  • Optioned RHP Reed Garrett to Triple-A Norfolk after yesterday’s game.