nationals

A look back at how Nats worked around injuries to win first title

November 01, 2019, 3:39am

The amazing run of the Washington Nationals in 2019 is made even more amazing when one looks back at the state of the standings May 23. The Nats trailed the Brewers by 9 1/2 games for a National League wild card spot and the Marlins, winners of six in a row, had crept with 1 1/2 games of their 19-31 record. But with persistence, belief and a slow return of their starting lineup to full health, the Nats turned their season around and found a way to grab the top wild card spot for home field...

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Rizzo had chance to reflect and savor during Nats' victory parade

November 02, 2019, 4:47pm

Nationals

Rizzo had chance to reflect and savor during Nats' victory parade

The final bus turned the corner and came to a stop behind the stage on 3rd Street NW for the team rally during Saturday's victory parade to celebrate the Nationals' first World Series title. General manager Mike Rizzo got off the double decker bus and met with the media with a cigar in his mouth and a smile from ear to ear. "It's the best feeling I've ever had in professional sports," Rizzo said. "It's just amazing. We talk about a lot of things: chemistry, performance and this and...

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No Gold Gloves for Nationals

November 03, 2019, 2:45pm

Nationals

Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon and outfielders Juan Soto and Victor Robles did not win Gold Gloves this season, as selections were announced Sunday night by Major League Baseball on ESPN2. The voting was completed late in regular season by managers and coaches. The only stipulation was the managers and coaches could not vote for their own players. Rendon was one of three finalists at third base in the National League. He lost out to Nolan Arenado of the Rockies. Soto, who was joined by...

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Rendon and Scherzer are finalists for postseason accolades

November 04, 2019, 2:27pm

Nationals

Rendon and Scherzer are finalists for postseason accolades

Right-hander Max Scherzer is a finalist for the National League Cy Young Award and third baseman Anthony Rendon is one of three finalists for NL Most Valuable Player, but the Nationals got as many snubs as finalists when the top three finishers for Baseball Writers' Association of America awards were announced live on MLB Network tonight. Manager Davey Martinez wasn't listed among the top three vote-getters for NL Manager of the Year and right-hander Stephen Strasburg was not among from the...

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Wrapping up Nats in AFL, including Garcia, Banks and Sharp in title game

November 06, 2019, 5:48am

Nationals

Wrapping up Nats in AFL, including Garcia, Banks and Sharp in title game

MLB.com recently ranked the top 25 prospects who played in the Arizona Fall League. Surprise Saguaros shortstop Luis Garcia was ranked No. 15. He is the Nationals' No. 2 prospect behind Carter Kieboom and ranked No. 91 overall. "Garcia scuffled in Double-A this season as a 19-year-old but looked better in the Fall League," wrote MLB.com. "Though he has yet to tap into his solid raw power, the rest of his tools all could be at least above average once he's fully developed." Surprise lost...

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Nick Banks making a name for himself with big jump in 2019 season

November 08, 2019, 2:08am

Nationals

Nick Banks making a name for himself with big jump in 2019 season

These next few weeks, we will take a look back at the Nationals prospects who played in the Arizona Fall League and get their take on the experience. The Surprise Saguaros, the pretty much unheralded group that included Nats minor leaguers, won their division and went all the way to the championship game, which they lost to Salt River 5-1. One of the stars of the team was outfielder Nick Banks. The 24-year-old left fielder out of Texas A&M hit very well all season at high Single-A Potomac...

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Kendrick earns first Heart and Hustle Award

November 08, 2019, 3:49am

Nationals

Kendrick earns first Heart and Hustle Award

The accolades continue to arrive for Nationals utility infielder Howie Kendrick. Last night in New York City, Kendrick was honored for the first time in his career as the recipient of the 2019 Heart and Hustle Award. The award, voted on by former players, is given to "active players who demonstrate a passion for the game of baseball and best embody the values, spirit and tradition of the game." Kendrick, the National League Championship Series Most Valuable Player, worked off the field with...

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Banks worked on his approach in Arizona, now preps for 2020

November 10, 2019, 2:39am

Nationals

Banks worked on his approach in Arizona, now preps for 2020

In part one of our visit with Nick Banks, an outfielder in the Nationals system, we spoke about his experience in the Arizona Fall League. A valuable part of that experience is meshing with and learning from new coaches. In part two, we look into what Ken Joyce, a hitting coach from the New York Yankees organization, was able to do to help Banks with his swing and his approach at the plate. "I loved him. He really did help me a lot this offseason and in the fall league," Banks said. "Just...

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Sharp focused on slider and sinker during AFL work

November 12, 2019, 3:04am

Nationals

Sharp focused on slider and sinker during AFL work

We continue our offseason capsules getting to know some of the top prospects in the Nationals system who played in the Arizona Fall League. Today the spotlight falls on right-hander Sterling Sharp. The 24-year-old from Southfield, Mich., was a 22nd-round selection in 2016. In part one of our sit-down with Sharp (Twitter: @DatDude_Ster42), we will focus on his return from an oblique injury and his time in the AFL. Sharp worked his way back from the injury early in the season to post solid...

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During AFL, Sharp worked on slowing spin rate on sinker

November 14, 2019, 2:10am

Nationals

During AFL, Sharp worked on slowing spin rate on sinker

To see how Sterling Sharp is a little bit different athletically than maybe your average baseball player, check out his dunking skills on his Twitter home page: Incase @MiLB or @MLB ever decides to have a dunk contest ðŸ™‹ðŸ¾â€â™‚ï¸ðŸ¤·ðŸ½â€â™‚ï¸ pic.twitter.com/ZnE2kgyJir -- Sterling Sharp (@DatDude_Ster42) November 19, 2017 In part two, we continue our conversation with the 24-year-old right-hander in the Nationals system, who demonstrated his...

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How Condra-Bogan's fastball compares to Doolittle's four-seamer

November 16, 2019, 2:14am

Nationals

How Condra-Bogan's fastball compares to Doolittle's four-seamer

We continue our conversations with top Nationals prospects with Jacob Condra-Bogan. The first part of our sitdown is a look back on a very good campaign for the Duncan, S.C., native. The right-hander was acquired in 2018 in a trade with the Royals. He is a reliever who can fire upper 90s with his fastball on a consistent basis. Condra-Bogan sits at 95 mph with his fastball and can reach back for 97-98 mph. Condra-Bogan pitched in 38 games over 62 1/3 innings at Double-A Harrisburg, finishing...

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MLB proposal would eliminate 42 minor league teams, including two Nats affiliates

November 18, 2019, 2:47am

Nationals

MLB proposal would eliminate 42 minor league teams, including two Nats affiliates

Major League Baseball has a proposal on the table that would eliminate 42 minor league teams - including the Nationals' short-season Single-A affiliate in Auburn, N.Y., and their low Single-A farm team in Hagerstown - in a reorganization plan first reported by Baseball America and the New York Times. In the statement to the New York Times, MLB said: "We are in discussions with the owners of the minor league teams to reorganize elements of the system with the goal of improving the working...

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Condra-Bogan adjusted to heavier workload in 2019

November 20, 2019, 2:47am

Nationals

Condra-Bogan adjusted to heavier workload in 2019

In part two of our discussion, Nationals right-handed reliever Jacob Condra-Bogan said he is working on pitches besides his fastball, including the slider and the changeup. "My changeup is probably my best secondary pitch," he said. "It's good, late tumble, low-spin-rate type pitch that moves a lot. I just don't throw it a lot, but when I do throw I think it's a very good pitch." Condra-Bogan said he also throws a slider/curveball that is starting to gain some traction and...

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Tickets available for premiere of World Series documentary

November 21, 2019, 4:35am

Nationals

Tickets available for premiere of World Series documentary

Major League Baseball announced today the premiere of a documentary film, "The 2019 World Series," will take place Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. The documentary will show highlights from the Nationals' improbable and incredible run from 12 games below .500 in late May to the franchise's first-ever world championship with 12 wins in October. The red carpet event will include first baseman Ryan Zimmerman - who was the Nats' first-ever draft pick - general manager Mike...

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Braymer excited to join 40-man, details adjustments during 2019 season

November 22, 2019, 2:47am

Nationals

Braymer excited to join 40-man, details adjustments during 2019 season

Left-hander Ben Braymer got a thrilling phone call on Wednesday from the Nationals telling him he had been placed on the organization's 40-man roster. "I was super excited," Braymer said. "I thought I might have an opportunity for that to happen but when I got the call (Wednesday) morning, I was very, very excited. A lot of positive emotions. It was cool." In part one of our visit with Braymer (Twitter: @B_Braymer), we break down his move to Triple-A and the adjustments he had to make in a...

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Braymer's bond with Crowe and Barrera helped him in 2019

November 24, 2019, 2:57am

Nationals

Braymer's bond with Crowe and Barrera helped him in 2019

Finishing up our conversation with Nationals pitching prospect Ben Braymer, the left-hander talked more about how he changed his grip on his changeup from two-seam to a four-seam so that coming out of his hand it looks even more like a fastball to the hitter. "I had accomplished that in Double-A, having my changeup mirror my fastball as far as arm slot goes and the arm speed on it," Braymer said. "But when I got out to Triple-A the more experienced hitters were able to see a little bit...

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Technology and a keen eye helped Raquet turn his curveball around

November 26, 2019, 3:01am

Nationals

Technology and a keen eye helped Raquet turn his curveball around

Left-hander Nick Raquet made some nice adjustments early in his 2019 campaign for high Single-A Potomac that allowed him to concentrate on the finer points of his breaking pitch, helping him to end up with a very positive season. In part one of our discussion, we will break down the adjustments he made to turn his year around. Raquet (Twitter: @NickRaquet) made 25 starts at Potomac, going 11-9 with a 4.07 ERA. But in April, he struggled to a 1-4 start with an 8.72 ERA. "Yeah, I felt like I...

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Raquet on his slider and experience in the AFL

November 28, 2019, 3:14am

Nationals

Raquet on his slider and experience in the AFL

We continue our conversation with Nationals pitching prospect Nick Raquet and get more information on his slider. A left-hander with his best pitch being the slider sounds familiar. How does it compare with Patrick Corbin's slider? "It's definitely my go-to," Raquet said. "I feel like if I'm in a pinch in any situation, I'm throwing my slider. It's probably my best pitch. I kind of grip it and rip it. I've never actually talked to Patrick. I would assume he spins the hell out of it. I...

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Podcast provides interesting insight into Nationals analytics department

November 30, 2019, 2:53pm

Nationals

On his "Sports Info Solutions Baseball" podcast last week, Mark Simon (Twitter: @MarkASimonSays) talked about analytics and how the Nationals use data in several aspects of their baseball seasons. Simon visited with Nationals assistant general manager for baseball research and development Samuel Mondry-Cohen. Mondry-Cohen referred to his department as the "R&D department" within the Nationals organization. He said the development side of the club's analytics study is devoted to...

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Double-A Harrisburg owner Mark Butler passes away at 61

December 02, 2019, 6:41am

Nationals

Double-A Harrisburg owner Mark Butler passes away at 61

The Double-A Harrisburg Senators this morning announced the sudden passing of principal owner and managing partner Mark Butler. Butler, the co-founder and CEO of Ollie's Bargain Outlet, died Sunday with his family, according to a company release. He was 61. "We are just numb. This is a tragic loss for our community. Mark was such an important part of the culture of our organization," said Senators president Kevin Kulp. "We were extremely fortunate to have had him guiding us. We've lost a...