Orioles sign Max Wagner

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The Orioles have signed INF Max Wagner (Rd. 2, No. 42 overall) from the 2022 First-Year Player Draft. The Orioles have now signed three selections from the 2022 Draft.

Dylan Beavers and Jud Fabian at Oriole Park

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Today, the Orioles signed OF Dylan Beavers (CBA, No. 33 overall) and OF Jud Fabian (CBB, No. 67 overall) from the 2022 First-Year Player Draft. Beavers and Fabian met with the media at Oriole Park.

Orioles and DreamLarge unveil Buck O'Neil mural in Sarasota

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SARASOTA, Fla. -- July 21, 2022 --  DreamLarge was honored to unveil a new mural in the Rosemary Art & Design District (RADD) on Thursday morning, honoring the powerful legacy of John “Buck” O’Neil, an iconic baseball legend and historical figure from Newtown. This larger-than-life mural came as part of the Gilbert Mural Initiative, which celebrates and preserves the people and history of the Rosemary District.

O’Neil is celebrated for being the first African American coach in Major League Baseball and one of the most talented first basemen in Negro League history. This mural highlights his legacy and serves as a reminder of his efforts in seeking equality in baseball for African Americans.

At the unveiling, a number of community figues spoke on behalf of O’Neil and his legacy. Anand Pallegar, Founder of DreamLarge and RADD, emphasized the importance of the Gilbert Mural Initiative in telling the stories of the people who shaped the history of Sarasota.

Walter Gilbert, a fourth-generation Sarasotan, told the story of O’Neil’s beginnings in Sarasota, from his early days as a player for the Sarasota Tigers, to the journey he went through in the segregated South.

Roxie Jerde, CEO and President of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, shared the story of when she met Buck, and spoke on how his character and heart shone through with everyone he met.

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Orioles sign Beavers and Fabian

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The Orioles have signed OF Dylan Beavers (CBA, No. 33 overall) and OF Jud Fabian (CBB, No. 67 overall) from the 2022 First-Year Player Draft.

Nationals recall Harvey, reinstate Arano, put Clippard on IL

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The Washington Nationals announced the following roster moves on Friday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. 

·       Recalled right-handed pitcher Hunter Harvey from Triple-A Rochester

·       Returned from rehabilitation assignment and reinstated right-handed pitcher Victor Arano from the 15-day Injured list

·       Placed right-handed pitcher Tyler Clippard on the 15-day Injured List with a groin strain (retroactive to July 19)

Harvey, 27, joins the active roster for the third time this season. He has pitched in seven games, allowing two earned runs on three hits with seven strikeouts in 5.2 innings. Six of Harvey’s seven outings were scoreless. He did not allow a baserunner in his first two outings after returning from the Injured List on July 12.

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DC Sports Hall of Fame to induct six luminaries, one title team on July 31

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Washington, D.C. – Six individuals who have had distinctive careers in sports and one team that had an inspiring run to its first-ever championship are the 2022 honorees selected to the Washington DC Sports Hall of Fame. The formal induction ceremony will be conducted at Nationals Park on Sunday afternoon, July 31, prior to the Washington Nationals-St. Louis Cardinals game. First pitch is set for 1:35 p.m., with the ceremony scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Gates open at 12:00 p.m.

The 2022 DC Sports Hall of Fame class includes basketball great Len Elmore, the late basketball promoter and innovator Bob Geoghan, three-time world boxing champion Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson, Washington Nationals Managing Principal Owner and area philanthropist Mark Lerner, American mile record-holder and Olympian Alan Webb and South Lakes High School and University of Maryland basketball standout Christy Winters Scott. The 2021 NWSL champion Washington Spirit will be recognized as a Team of Distinction.

The members of the DC Sports Hall of Fame selection committee are chairman Bobby Goldwater, a Georgetown University Sports Industry Management master’s program faculty member and sports industry consultant; chairman emeritus and veteran D.C. public relations executive Charlie Brotman; former radio and TV reporter/producer Brenda J. Curtis-Heiken; journalist David Elfin; communications executive and adjunct instructor Meredith Geisler; television and radio personality Chick Hernandez; attorney Phil Hochberg; Washington Nationals Managing Principal Owner Mark Lerner; former Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism Director at the University of Maryland George Solomon; basketball executive and former coach Ed Tapscott; attorney Mark Tuohey; radio and television personality and former Washington pro football tight end Rick “Doc” Walker; baseball commentator and historian Phil Wood; and journalist and Merrill College visiting professor Joe Yasharoff.

“This distinguished group of honorees elevates the honor roll of the DC Sports Hall of Fame, especially with inductions of its first track athlete, one of the area’s greatest-ever boxers, three significant contributors to basketball and an impactful sports and community leader. Individually and together, they represent excellence in sports in the nation’s capital,” said Goldwater.

“The DC Sports Hall of Fame is grateful once again for the support of our collaborative host organization, the Washington Nationals, and the Lerner family to hold our induction ceremony at the ballpark on July 31,” Goldwater added. 

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Orioles make 10 selections on draft's final day

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The Baltimore Orioles made 10 selections on Day Three of the 2022 First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday, completing Rounds 11-20. This year, the Orioles selected 22 players overall: 12 pitchers and 10 position players, with 20 of the selections being college athletes and two from the high school ranks. The Orioles selected 11 right-handed pitchers, one left-handed pitcher, four outfielders, four infielders, and two catchers.

Nationals take 10 players on final day of 2022 draft

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The Washington Nationals selected 10 players on the third day of Major League Baseball’s 2022 First-Year Player Draft. Nationals 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.

The Nationals selected right-handed pitcher Luke Young from Midland College (TX) in the 11th round. Young went 9-4 with a 3.95 ERA and 110 strikeouts in 79.2 innings in 2022. His 110 strikeouts this season were ranked 15th in NJCAA Division I. In two seasons at Midland, Young struck out 163 hitters in 127.0 innings.

In the 12th round, Washington selected outfielder Nick Peoples out of Northview High School (CA). A switch-hitter, Peoples batted .333 with 11 doubles, two triples, three home runs, 21 RBI, 21 walks and 13 stolen bases.

With their 13th-round pick, the Nationals selected right-handed pitcher Marquis Grissom Jr. from Georgia Tech. Grissom went 4-5 with a 5.75 ERA in 18 games, 14 starts in 2022. He struck out 57 in 61.0 innings. Grissom is the son of former Major League outfielder Marquis Grissom who played in 17 Major Leagues seasons and won a World Series in 1995.

Washington selected shortstop Cortland Lawson from the University of Tennessee in the 14th round. Lawson hit .269 with nine doubles, two triples, 12 home runs and 45 RBI in 65 games for the Volunteers in 2022. A Potomac Falls, Va. native, he attended Dominion High School as a senior after three years at Paul IV Catholic.

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This Week at the Yard

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JULY 21

 

BREWS & O'S AT GUINNESS OPEN GATE BREWERY

Orioles pitcher TYLER WELLS will make a special appearance and visit with Orioles fans at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery from 4:00  to 6:00 p.m.

 

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Orioles select eight on second day of draft

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The Baltimore Orioles today made eight selections on Day Two of the 2022 First-Year Player Draft, completing Rounds 3-10. The Orioles started the day by selecting right-handed pitcher NOLAN MCLEAN at No. 81 overall from Oklahoma State University. The Orioles also selected catcher SILAS ARDOIN (CY-liss ARD-wann) at No. 107 overall from the University of Texas, right-handed pitcher TRACE BRIGHT at No. 137 overall from Auburn University (AL), outfielder DOUGLAS HODO III at No. 167 overall from the University of Texas, right-handed pitcher PRESTON JOHNSON at No. 197 overall from Mississippi State University, right-handed pitcher CAMERON WESTON at No. 227 overall from the University of Michigan, infielder ADAM CRAMPTON at No. 257 overall from Stanford University (CA), and right-handed pitcher WYATT CHENEY at No. 287 overall from McLennan Community College (TX).

McLean, 20, finished his sophomore year with a 2-1 record and a 4.97 ERA (14 ER/25.1 IP), five saves, 39 strikeouts, and 13 walks in 23 relief appearances. He owned a 13.9 K/9 and a 1.30 WHIP, allowing a total of 20 hits. In his 23 outings with the Cowboys, he surrendered only three home runs. At the plate, McLean slashed .285/.397/.595 (69-for-242) with 16 doubles, one triple, 19 home runs, 55 runs scored, 47 RBI, 37 walks, and two stolen bases. The North Carolina native appeared in all 64 games, starting in 63. His 19 home runs paced the team and ranked tied for third in the Big 12. McLean attended Garner High School in Garner, N.C., where he posted a career .381 batting average and .589 on-base percentage. He played for Team USA at the 2019 WBSC U-18 World Cup and was named an Under Armour and Perfect Game All-American. He was ranked as the No. 115 overall draft prospect by MLB Pipeline and No. 135 by Baseball America.

Ardoin, 21, slashed .271/.391/.513 (65-for-240) his redshirt sophomore season, tallying 20 doubles, one triple, 12 home runs, 48 runs scored, 50 RBI, 39 walks, and a stolen base, appearing in all 69 games with 68 starts. He hit a home run in the Super Regionals against Eastern Carolina University to help lead the Longhorns to the College World Series. The 21-year-old threw out 22-of-55 potential base stealers. He attended Sam Houston High School in Moss Bluff, La., earning Louisiana’s first-ever high school Gold Glove award after being named the 2019 ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove winner at catcher. Ardoin was selected in the 36th round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft by the Colorado Rockies but did not sign. He is the son of five-year Major League veteran catcher DANNY ARDOIN, who played for the Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, Colorado Rockies, Baltimore Orioles, and Los Angeles Dodgers between 2000-08. Silas was ranked as the No. 126 overall draft prospect by Baseball America and No. 146 by MLB Pipeline.

Bright, 21, went 5-4 with a 5.13 ERA (46 ER/80.2 IP) in his junior season, allowing 78 hits, 51 total runs, eight home runs, 38 walks, and 94 strikeouts in 18 appearances (17 starts) while leading the Tigers to the College World Series. His 94 strikeouts were the fourth-most by an Auburn pitcher since 2000. He earned the win on June 20 against Stanford (5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 8 K), helping Auburn secure its first College World Series victory since 1997. The eight punchouts set an Auburn single-game College World Series record. The six-foot-four right-hander did not allow an earned run (one total run) in his first three starts of the season (17.0 IP). The Montgomery, Ala., native fanned a career-high 10 batters in 5.0 innings on June 3 vs. Southeastern Louisiana. He was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll in all three seasons at Auburn. Bright graduated from Trinity Presbyterian High School in Montgomery, Ala. He was ranked as the No. 232 overall draft prospect by Baseball America.

Hodo, 21, hit .319/.418/.532 (90-for-282) in his redshirt sophomore season, recording 26 doubles, two triples, 10 home runs, 73 runs scored, 47 RBI, 42 walks, and nine stolen bases, starting in all 69 games. His 26 doubles paced the Longhorns, while his 73 runs scored and 42 walks ranked second. Hodo attended Boerne High School in Boerne, Texas. He finished his high school career second in Texas high school baseball history with 106 stolen bases. He is the son of DOUG HODO, who was a starting outfielder on the 1983 Longhorns College World Series team and spent one season in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. He was ranked as the No. 223 overall draft prospect by MLB Pipeline and No. 301 by Baseball America.

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Nationals select eight players on second day of draft

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The Washington Nationals selected eight players on the second day of Major League Baseball’s 2022 First-Year Player Draft. Nationals 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.

The Nationals kicked off Monday’s action by selecting third baseman Trey Lipscomb from the University of Tennessee. Lipscomb hit .355 as a senior in 2022 while leading the Southeastern Conference and ranking fifth nationally with 80 RBI. He ranked in the top five in the conference in slugging percentage (2nd, .717), total bases (2nd, 180), home runs (4th, 22) and runs scored (4th, 68) en route to being named First-Team All-SEC.

In 2022, Lipscomb was a First-Team NCBWA All-American, Second-Team ABCA All-American, Second-Team Baseball America All-American, Second-Team Collegiate Baseball All-American, Third-Team D1Baseball.com All-American and a Third-Team Perfect Game All-American. He was also a Dick Howser Trophy finalist and Golden Spikes Award semi-finalist.

In the fourth round, Washington selected outfielder Brenner Cox from Rock Hill High School in Frisco, Texas. Cox hit .288 with eight doubles, three triples, four home runs, 19 RBI, 31 walks, 30 strikeouts, 26 stolen bases and 29 runs scored during his senior season at Rock Hill. He was ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 2 prep outfielder in the state of Texas. Following the 2021 season, Cox was named Texas All-State and a Second-Team All-American by Collegiate Baseball.

With their fifth-round pick, the Nationals selected outfielder Jared McKenzie from Baylor University where is he the school’s all-time leader in batting average (.389). In 2022, McKenzie was second in the Big 12 with a .383 batting average, 82 hits and 62 runs scored. He hit 10 home runs, 44 RBI, 14 doubles and four triples. McKenzie led Baylor with 134 total bases, a .626 slugging percentage and a .453 on-base percentage. He also produced 30 multi-hit games, tied for second all-time for a Baylor player in a single season.

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Orioles select four on first day of 2022 draft

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The Baltimore Orioles selected infielder Jackson Holliday from Stillwater High School (OK) with the first overall selection of the 2022 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. The Orioles also selected outfielder Dylan Beavers at No. 33 overall from the University of California, Berkeley, infielder Max Wagner at No. 42 overall out of Clemson University (SC), and outfielder Jud Fabian at No. 67 overall out of the University of Florida.

Holliday, 18, hit .685/.749/1.392 (89-for-130) with 29 doubles, six triples, 17 home runs, 74 runs scored, 79 RBI, and 30 stolen bases in 40 games during his senior season and was named a Preseason Second-Team All-American by Baseball America and Perfect Game before the year. The 89 hits set a national high school record for hits in a single season, surpassing the previous record of 88 set by J.T. Realmuto in 2010. Holliday’s season led to him being selected as the Gatorade Oklahoma Baseball Player of the Year and Baseball America’s High School Player of the Year. He was named the top player in Oklahoma by Perfect Game, No. 2 overall draft prospect by MLB.com, and No. 3 prospect by Baseball America. Jackson is the son of MLB veteran Matt Holliday, who played 15 seasons for the Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals, Oakland Athletics, and New York Yankees. Matt was a seven-time All-Star from 2004-18 and originally selected by Colorado in the seventh round of the 1998 First-Year Player Draft out of Stillwater High School (OK). Holliday is the first high schooler taken by the Orioles in the first round since right-handed pitcher Grayson Rodriguez (No. 11 overall) in 2018, and the first high school position player taken by the Orioles in the first round since infielder Ryan Mountcastle (No. 36 overall) in 2015. He was ranked as the No. 2 overall draft prospect by MLB Pipeline and No. 3 by Baseball America.

Beavers, 20, slashed .291/.426/.634 (62-for-213) with 16 doubles, three triples, 17 home runs, 62 runs scored, 50 RBI, and seven stolen bases in 56 games for the Golden Bears during his junior season. His 17 home runs are tied for eighth-most in a single-season in program history, while his 36 career home runs rank seventh-most. Beavers led the team in RBI, total bases (135), and multi-RBI games (13). The outfielder was named a First-Team All-Pac 12 selection for the second straight year and earned his second straight ­American Baseball Coaches Association West All-Region First Team honor. He was named to the Golden Spikes Award Watch List, the Bobby Bragan Collegiate Slugger Award Watch List, and was named a First-Team Preseason All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. A graduate of Mission College Preparatory High School in San Luis Obispo, Calif., Beavers was a two-time First-Team All-California Interscholastic Federation selection and earned a USA Today All-USA Honorable Mention as a senior in high school. He was ranked as the No. 22 overall draft prospect by MLB Pipeline and No. 26 by Baseball America.

Wagner, 20, hit .369/.496/.852 (75-for-203) with 15 doubles, one triple, 27 home runs, 66 runs scored, and 76 RBI during his sophomore season. He tied a school record with 27 home runs. He was named ACC Player of the Year after leading the conference in slugging percentage and OPS (1.348) while ranking tied for the ACC lead in home runs. His slugging percentage ranked second in the nation, trailing only Texas’ Ivan Melendez (.863). The Wisconsin native also paced Clemson in walks (45), runs, RBI, and total bases (173). Wagner set a single-season school record by averaging a home run every 7.5 at-bats. He is Clemson’s highest draft pick since 2019, when Logan Davidson was selected in the first round (No. 29 overall) by the Oakland Athletics. Wagner attended Preble High School in Green Bay, Wisc., and was named the 2020 Gatorade Wisconsin Baseball Player of the Year. He was ranked as the No. 66 overall draft prospect by MLB Pipeline and No. 70 by Baseball America.

Fabian, 21, slashed .239/.414/.598 (56-for-234) with 10 doubles, one triple, 24 home runs, 63 runs scored, and 55 RBI in 66 games with the Gators during his redshirt junior season. The former Gator ranked among SEC leaders in walks (2nd, 62), home runs (T-2nd), and runs (T-9th) in 2022. His 56 career home runs rank third in program history. He was named a First-Team Preseason All-American by Collegiate Baseball, First-Team All-SEC Preseason selection, and to the Golden Spikes Award Watch List. Fabian was selected in the second round (40th overall) of the 2021 First-Year Player Draft by the Boston Red Sox, but did not sign. He graduated from Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala, Fla. He was ranked as the No. 52 overall draft prospect by MLB Pipeline and No. 61 by Baseball America.

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Nationals take LHP Jake Bennett in second round

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The Washington Nationals selected collegiate left-handed pitcher Jake Bennett out of the University of Oklahoma with their second round pick (No. 45) in the 2022 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.

Bennett, 21, went 10-4 with a 3.69 ERA in 20 games (19 starts) during his redshirt sophomore season at Oklahoma in 2022. He struck out 133 batters and walked just 22 in 117.0 innings pitched. He received second-team All-America honors from Baseball America and D1Baseball.com and third-team honors from Perfect Game. He was named First-Team All-Big 12 Conference and to the Big 12 All-Tournament Team.

The 6-foot-6, 234-pound left-hander is ranked by Baseball America as the No. 41 prospect and by MLBPipeline.com as the No. 68 prospect in the 2022 First-Year Player Draft.

A high school and college teammate of current Nationals prospect Cade Cavalli, Bennett was named a Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball in 2020. He went 3-0 with a 0.75 ERA (1 ER/19.0 IP) with 19 strikeouts and three walks in three starts before the cancellation of the season. In 2021, Bennet struck out 60 batters in 55.1 innings while going 4-3 with a 6.34 ERA in 16 games (13 starts).

Bennett is a native of Bixby, Okla., and graduated from Bixby High School. He was selected by the Nationals in the 39th round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft but chose to attend the University of Oklahoma. As a senior, he was rated as the top-ranked left-handed pitcher in the state of Oklahoma by Perfect Game. He garnered all-state honors in 2019 and was a three-time Tulsa World All-World honorable mention.

Nationals select Elijah Green

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The Washington Nationals selected prep outfielder Elijah Green out of IMG Academy with the No. 5 pick in the 2022 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.

Green, 18, hit .462 (36-for-78) with 11 doubles, two triples, nine home runs, 32 RBI, 15 stolen bases, 21 walks, 21 strikeouts and 40 runs scored during his senior season at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. He posted a .592 on-base percentage and a 1.000 slugging percentage en route to being named a First-Team All-American by Collegiate Baseball. He was a pre-season First-Team All-American selection by Baseball America.

The 6-foot-4, 225-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder is ranked by MLBPipeline.com as the No. 3 prospect in the 2022 First-Year Player Draft and by Baseball America as the No. 5 draft prospect. He is ranked by Perfect Game as the top high school prospect in the 2022 First-Year Player Draft, by Baseball America as the No. 2 high school prospect and MLBPipeline.com as the No. 3 high school prospect. Among high school players, Baseball America cited him as the “best power hitter” and “best athlete” in the draft.

Following his junior high school season, Green was selected to participate in the 2021 Perfect Game All-American Classic and the 2021 Baseball Factory All-American Game.

Orioles select Jackson Holliday with first pick of 2022 MLB Draft

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The Baltimore Orioles tonight selected infielder Jackson Holliday from Stillwater High School (OK) with the first overall selection of the 2022 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.  

Holliday, 18, hit .685/.749/1.392 (89-for-130) with 29 doubles, six triples, 17 home runs, 74 runs scored, 79 RBI, and 30 stolen bases in 40 games during his senior season and was named a Preseason Second-Team All-American by Baseball America and Perfect Game before the year. The 89 hits set a national high school record for hits in a single season, surpassing the previous record of 88 set by J.T. Realmuto in 2010. Holliday’s season led to him being selected as the Gatorade Oklahoma Baseball Player of the Year and Baseball America’s High School Player of the Year. He was named the top player in Oklahoma by Perfect Game, No. 2 overall draft prospect by MLB.com, and No. 3 prospect by Baseball America.

A four-year starter for the Pioneers, Holliday hit .500 (62-for-124) with 16 doubles, six triples, six home runs, 54 runs scored, 57 RBI, and 19 stolen bases in 37 games as a junior and was named to USA Baseball’s 18U National Team in 2021. He batted .318 (7-for-22) with four doubles, one triple, 10 runs scored, nine RBI, and six stolen bases in a pandemic-shortened sophomore season in 2020, and .342 (38-for-111) with 11 doubles, two triples, one home run, 28 runs scored, 35 RBI, and nine stolen bases as a freshman.

Jackson is the son of MLB veteran Matt Holliday, who played 15 seasons for the Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals, Oakland Athletics, and New York Yankees. Matt was a seven-time All-Star from 2004-18 and originally selected by Colorado in the seventh round of the 1998 First-Year Player Draft out of Stillwater High School (OK).

Holliday becomes the first high schooler taken by the Orioles in the first round since right-handed pitcher Grayson Rodriguez (No. 11 overall) in 2018, and the first high school position player taken by the Orioles in the first round since infielder Ryan Mountcastle (No. 36 overall) in 2015. The Orioles have had the number one overall selection twice before in club history: in 2019, when they selected catcher Adley Rutschman out of Oregon State University, and in 1989, when they selected right-handed pitcher Ben McDonald out of Louisiana State University. It is the first time the Orioles have had picks in the top five in four straight years since they had a top-five pick in six consecutive years from 2007-12. Holliday is the first prep No. 1 pick since Minnesota selected Royce Lewis in 2017 out of JSerra Catholic High School (CA) and the first prep No. 1 ever from Oklahoma.

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Nats reinstate Sánchez, send Thompson to Rochester

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The Washington Nationals returned from rehab and reinstated right-handed pitcher Aníbal Sánchez from the 60-day Injured List and optioned right-handed pitcher Mason Thompson to Triple-A Rochester. To make room for Sanchez on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg has been transferred to the 60-day Injured List. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. 

Sánchez, 38, joins the Nationals for the first time in 2022. He made four Minor League appearances this season, one in the Florida Complex League and three for Triple-A Rochester. Sánchez combined to go 0-1 with a 4.02 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 15.2 innings. In his last start in Triple-A on July 8, he worked 5.1 innings and allowed one earned run on four hits. 

A 15-year veteran, Sánchez will return to the Major Leagues for the first time since 2020. He is 112-113 with a 4.05 ERA and 1726 strikeouts in his career. In two seasons with the Nationals (2019-20), he is 15-13 with a 4.52 ERA, including going 11-8 with a 3.85 ERA during the Nationals 2019 World Series season. Sánchez went 1-1 with a 2.50 ERA in three starts during the 2019 playoffs.

Thompson, 24, went 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA in seven games this season.

Rainey to 60-day IL, Nats select Clippard's contract

The Washington Nationals selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Tyler Clippard and placed right-handed pitcher Tanner Rainey on the 60-day Injured List with a right UCL sprain on Wednesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Clippard, 37, joins the Nationals for the first time in 2022. He went 4-1 with one save, a 2.48 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 36.1 innings for Triple-A Rochester this season. Since May 3, Clippard was 3-1 with a 1.00 ERA (3 R/27.0 IP) in 23 appearances, working 20 scoreless outings.

Twice an All-Star (2011 and 2014) with Washington during a seven-year stint with the club from 2008-14, Clippard was 34-24 with a 2.68 ERA and 34 saves. During his 15-year Major League career, he is 56-48 with a 3.13 ERA in 803 games.

Rainey, 29, went 1-3 with 12 saves and a 3.30 ERA in 29 games this season.

Tuesday's Mariners-Nats game postponed

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Due to very severe weather predicted to move into the area this evening, MLB has approved the postponement of tonight's game.

The game will now be played on Wednesday, July 13 at 6:05 p.m. as part of a split doubleheader. Wednesday's originally scheduled game will begin at 12:05 p.m.

Nationals Homestand Highlights

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The Washington Nationals return home to D.C. for a six-game homestand, opening with a quick two-game set against the Seattle Mariners followed by a four-game series against the divisional rival Atlanta Braves. Single-game tickets for all Nationals home games are on sale now starting at just $9. Fans interested in purchasing tickets should visit nationals.com/Tickets

The season’s seventh homestand features a Value Day; U.S. Marine Corp Day; Camp Day; Intern Night; three University Days; STAR WARS™ Day; a Juan “Solo” bobblehead giveaway; City Connect uniforms; Summer Reading Sunday; Signature Sunday; Kids Run the Bases; and more. 

As a reminder, if you would like to cover any events at Nationals Park, please contact Valerie Todryk Krebs at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Devon Bridges at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for credentialing information in advance of the event.

TUESDAY, JULY 12 vs. SEATTLE MARINERS (7:05 PM)

Value Days

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Soto named NL All-Star

Washington Nationals right fielder Juan Soto has been selected to represent the Washington Nationals in the 2022 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. It is his second consecutive All-Star selection. Soto was selected to the National League roster by Major League Baseball. The 2022 All-Star teams were unveiled earlier this evening during the “2022 Chevrolet MLB All-Star Selection Show” on ESPN.

Soto, 23, leads Major League Baseball in walks (73) and is second in the National League in on-base percentage (.398). Additionally, he entered the day ranked among National League outfielders in weighted on-base average (2nd, .381), weighted runs created plus (2nd, 145), OPS (3rd, .869) and home runs (T3rd, 17). All told, Soto hit .243 with 16 doubles, 17 homers, 37 RBI, 73 walks, five stolen bases and 52 runs scored in 85 games through Sunday’s action.

Soto has hit safely in 13 straight games, going 18-for-44 (.409) with four doubles, three homers, six RBI, 16 walks and 14 runs scored during the streak. He has reached base safely in 20 straight games, posting a .506 on-base percentage (20 H, 21 BB) along the way.

Joining Soto in Los Angeles will be Nationals Manager Dave Martinez who was named to National League Manager Brian Snitker’s staff for the 2022 All-Star Game. Martinez was unable to manage the 2020 National League All-Star team after winning the 2019 World Series after the cancellation of the game due of the COVID-19 pandemic. He is the longest-tenured manager in Nationals History (2005-pres) and has the most managerial wins in Nationals history.