hagerstown - Blog

Hagerstown and Potomac with playoff wins, Cedeno makes huge impact for Nationals

September 04, 2014, 10:46am

Here's a roundup of the Nationals' minor league playoff summaries from Wednesday: Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs: Syracuse lost its first game of the International League Governor's Cup semifinals Wednesday, 2-1 in 10 innings to Pawtucket. Syracuse and Pawtucket play the second game of the series tonight in Rhode Island at 7:05 p.m. Chiefs right-hander Scott McGregor will start against Red Sox right-hander Matt Barnes. Syracuse has not won a playoff game since 1994. High Single-A Potomac...

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One to watch: Second base prospect Tony Renda

January 13, 2014, 5:23am

Nationals

One to watch: Second base prospect Tony Renda

Nationals second baseman prospect Tony Renda is ready to take the next step in the system after a very successful 2013 campaign with low Single-A Hagerstown. Renda batted .294 in 135 games with 99 runs, 51 RBIs, 30 stolen bases, 43 doubles, three triples and three home runs for the division champion and league finalist Suns. He also was the club's first recipient of the newly established Bob Boone award, which exemplifies "a player that has demonstrated professionalism, leadership, loyalty,...

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GCL Nats pitching capsules: Barrientos, Vasquez and Dicharry

January 15, 2013, 9:59am

Nationals

GCL Nats pitching capsules: Barrientos, Vasquez and Dicharry

The Gulf Coast League Nationals had their share of pitching prospects make progress in 2012, as the youngsters look to move up to short-season Single-A Auburn or low Single-A Hagerstown. We will take a look at several of their prospects in a couple of installments this week. The Nationals worked very hard to teach the prospects to pitch to contact, emphasizing from the beginning a philosophy of putting the ball in play and not allowing walks. Pitching coach Michael Tejera, rehab pitching...

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Young GCL Nats could join Tripp Keister in move to Hagerstown

January 04, 2013, 3:58am

Nationals

Young GCL Nats could join Tripp Keister in move to Hagerstown

The value of the Nationals having a Gulf Coast League team shows itself each spring when many of the young stars move up to take spots at low Single-A Hagerstown or more likely at short-season Single-A Auburn. Looking down the list of GCL Nationals offensively, several position players put up good offensive numbers as they gained crucial professional experience in the rookie league. Second baseman Matt Foat hit .333 in 43 games, with six doubles, one triple, one homer and 20 RBIs. GCL...

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Baseball America's No. 5 Nats prospect: Nathan Karns

December 31, 2012, 12:56pm

Nationals

Baseball America's No. 5 Nats prospect: Nathan Karns

The Nationals are very high on right-hander Nathan Karns after his breakthrough 2012 season. Karns was named the organization's minor league Pitcher of the Year after going a combined 11-4 with a 2.17 ERA over 24 games, 18 of those starts. Karns fired 148 strikeouts, two complete games and only 47 walks between low Single-A Hagerstown and high Single-A Potomac. He won seven of his final nine outings to end the season, with a 1.84 ERA and 68 strikeouts. In his last 10 games, Karns struck out...

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Keister takes positive attitude to Hagerstown

December 18, 2012, 8:43pm

Nationals

Keister takes positive attitude to Hagerstown

It was about one year ago that Tripp Keister was making the jump from collegiate coach at Wesley College to his job as manager for the Gulf Coast League Nationals. Now he has been promoted to manage the low Single-A Hagerstown Suns. Keister believes his purpose and job description really hasn't changed despite the classification jump. "I look forward to being at (Hagerstown)," Keister said this week. "I recognize as a player development staff member your job is still the same: Get these...

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Goodwin pleased with progress in first season in system

November 12, 2012, 6:27am

Nationals

Goodwin pleased with progress in first season in system

Nationals prospect Brian Goodwin has been pleased with his progress in the Arizona Fall League, especially in bunting and increasing his aggressiveness on the basepaths. "I think it is coming along well," Goodwin said. "It is something that I always looked at it as a weapon, being a speed guy and a top-of-the-order guy. You have to take your time with it. You can't get frustrated. But with the practice you do it will pay off and take it to the game. I like it. I always try to work on it...

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Souza excels in full season, ready to make noise at instructional league

September 19, 2012, 7:40am

Nationals

Souza excels in full season, ready to make noise at instructional league

Right-hand hitting outfielder Steven Souza, Jr., took a big step forward in 2012, putting together a full season that displayed his power and skill on the baseball diamond. With a .290 average, 17 homers and 72 RBIs in 70 games at low Single-A Hagerstown, Souza earned a promotion back to high Single-A Potomac and kept on going. He finished the year with a combined .297 average in 97 games, with 23 homers, 85 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. Although Souza missed some time with various injuries to...

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Daubach: Instructional league focused on fundamentals during first workouts

September 16, 2012, 8:56pm

Nationals

Daubach: Instructional league focused on fundamentals during first workouts

Instructional league workouts have begun for close to four dozen prospects in the Nationals organization. Low Single-A Hagerstown manager Brian Daubach is one of the 20 or so coaches that are working to get the players ready for their first game September 22. Daubach said instructional league workouts in Viera, Fla., are organized very similar to the way spring training is set up, with a lot of hands-on specialized teaching going on in each area. "We are working on a lot of the fundamental...

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Nationals sending Skole and Barrett to Arizona Fall League

September 10, 2012, 9:28am

Nationals

The Nationals have added third baseman Matt Skole and right-handed pitcher Aaron Barrett to their Arizona Fall League team, the Salt River Rafters, per a club source with knowledge of the situation. Skole and Barrett will still attend instructional league workouts, which begin September 15, in Viera, Fla., before they travel to Scottsdale, Ariz., for the AFL season. Skole was named the Nationals' minor league Player of the Year last week after hitting 27 homers and 104 RBIs for low Single-A...

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Karns preparing to repeat this season's success in 2013

September 08, 2012, 3:37pm

Nationals

Karns preparing to repeat this season's success in 2013

Right-hander Nathan Karns is most thankful to be able to complete a full season with the Nationals organization. Karns missed 2010 because of shoulder surgery and half of the 2011 season rehabbing from the surgery. Karns, who was honored Friday as the minor league Pitcher of the Year within the organization, said being healthy this season will really important to advancement of his career. "To have a full season and stay healthy was an accomplishment for me," Karns said. "I have to thank...

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Matt Skole "excited" to receive South Atlantic League MVP honor

August 30, 2012, 1:10pm

Nationals

Matt Skole "excited" to receive South Atlantic League MVP honor

Nationals prospect Matt Skole was named the South Atlantic League Player of the Year today, after racking up 27 home runs and 92 RBIs for the low Single-A Hagerstown Suns this season. Skole told reporters in Zebulon, N.C., what an honor it was to receive the Most Valuable Player award. "I was really excited. It felt great," he said. "I was happy for myself and the way I played in that league. It is a very prestigious award." The 2011 fifth-round selection out of Georgia Tech played 101...

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Hagerstown's Caleb Ramsey named South Atlantic League Player of the Week

August 29, 2012, 8:49am

Nationals

Hagerstown's Caleb Ramsey named South Atlantic League Player of the Week

Hagerstown Suns All-Star outfielder Caleb Ramsey was named South Atlantic League Player of the Week for Aug. 20-26 following an incredible six-game run. Ramsey hit .556 (10-for-18) with two doubles, three triples, 10 RBIs, five runs, two walks and one stolen base. He struck out just once. From Aug. 19-23, Ramsey smacked 11 hits and had 10 RBIs in a five-game span. Ramsey joins former teammates in outfielder Steven Souza Jr. and right-hander Alex Meyer as South Atlantic League Player/Pitcher...

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Skole reaches 100 RBIs, Ortega gets close to cycle in N.C. wins for Nats affiliates

August 28, 2012, 7:10pm

Nationals

Skole reaches 100 RBIs, Ortega gets close to cycle in N.C. wins for Nats affiliates

High Single-A Potomac got a big win in North Carolina Tuesday. The squad is now 1-16 in the Tar Heel State this season following a 4-1 win at Carolina. Matt Skole, Adrian Sanchez and Kevin Keyes had two hits apiece. Keyes hit his 20th homer of the season and added a double. Sanchez also had a double and scored two runs. But Skole's two RBIs are notable because he has reached 101 RBIs for the season. Skole joined teammate Jason Martinson (106 RBIs) and Tyler Moore (2010, 111 RBIs) as the only...

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Suns' Ramsey and Dykstra get decisive hits in wins over Kannapolis

August 22, 2012, 7:32pm

Nationals

Suns' Ramsey and Dykstra get decisive hits in wins over Kannapolis

A nice couple of games for outfielder Caleb Ramsey and third baseman Cutter Dykstra, as they continue to play consistent baseball for the Low Single-A Hagerstown Suns. On Tuesday, Ramsey went 3-for-3 with two triples and three RBIs in the Suns 7-6 win over Kannapolis. Then Wednesday night, Ramsey hit another triple, this one in the fourth, to plate three runs in helping the Suns to a 5-4 win over the Suns. Dykstra's two-run double in the eighth put the Suns up to stay. Dykstra hit his...

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Potomac's Martinson passes 100-run, 100-RBI plateaus

August 18, 2012, 6:49pm

Nationals

Potomac's Martinson passes 100-run, 100-RBI plateaus

The high Single-A Potomac Nationals used the longball to trip up Salem 7-4 on Saturday. Kevin Keyes, Steven Souza Jr. and Jason Martinson connected on homers for the P-Nats, who have erupted for 32 hits in the past two games. Shortstop Martinson continued to add to his milestone of 100 runs and 100 RBIs in the same season, split between low Single-A Hagerstown and Potomac. With the home run Saturday, he now has reached 101 runs and 103 RBIs. He also has 22 homers and 30 stolen bases in 122...

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Skole's walk-off grand slam highlights amazing season in Hagerstown

August 03, 2012, 8:09pm

Nationals

Skole's walk-off grand slam highlights amazing season in Hagerstown

Third baseman Matt Skole connected on a walk-off grand slam, his third homer in as many games, to lift low Single-A Hagerstown over the Lexington Legends, 6-3, Saturday night at Municipal Stadium. The grand slam completed a five-RBI night for the Georgia Tech product. He has three homers and 11 RBIs in his last three games. His season statistics are getting ridiculous. Skole now has 25 homers and 18 doubles with 87 RBIs in 94 games for a .292 average. The 25 homers lead the South Atlantic...

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Anthony Rendon returns to Auburn lineup tonight at third base, will DH on Monday

July 29, 2012, 7:46am

Nationals

Anthony Rendon returns to Auburn lineup tonight at third base, will DH on Monday

Nationals top infield prospect Anthony Rendon returns to the lineup Sunday night for short-season Single-A Auburn's game at 6:05 p.m., as he continues his rehab assignment from a fractured left ankle. Rendon got Saturday off to rest. Rendon will play third base for six innings today, according to a club source. Then on Monday, Rendon will be the designated hitter. It has not been announced where Rendon will play when he completes his rehab with the Doubledays, whether he will get a few...

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Goodwin displaying "special talent" that got him Double-A nod

July 21, 2012, 1:28pm

Nationals

Goodwin displaying "special talent" that got him Double-A nod

It is rare for a player to jump two levels or more with any organization. The last time it happened for the Nationals, it was No. 1 overall prospect Bryce Harper last summer. This time, it is sensational outfielder Brian Goodwin. The 6-foot-1, 195 lb. center fielder rolled through low Single-A Hagerstown with a big bat, fast feet and quick hands on defense. Goodwin hit .324 in 58 games with 18 doubles, one triple, nine homers, 38 RBIs, 15 stolen bases and 43 walks. And as a leadoff hitter,...

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Alex Meyer and Aaron Barrett promoted to Potomac, report Thursday

July 17, 2012, 7:58pm

Nationals

Alex Meyer and Aaron Barrett promoted to Potomac, report Thursday

Pitchers Alex Meyer and Aaron Barrett have been pitching lights out all season for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns, and just a few days into the second half, they are getting rewarded. According to a club source, the right-handers have been promoted to high Single-A Potomac and will report Thursday. Barrett is 3-2 with a 2.60 ERA in 31 games, and has recorded 31 saves. He has established himself as one of the top up-and-coming, late-inning performers in the Nationals' chain. Barrett hasn't...