nationals

A comparison of free agents Brantley, Pederson and Schwarber

January 07, 2021, 10:40am

The hot stove buzz recently has focused on the Nationals looking at free agents Michael Brantley, Joc Pederson and Kyle Schwarber to take over the corner outfielder spot vacated by the departure of Adam Eaton. This available spot will most likely be in left field, with Juan Soto moving to right field and Victor Robles staying in center field. All three of these potential signees bat left-handed and all three have played in a World Series in the last five seasons. Here is a rundown of the career...

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Nats keep eye on Venezuela for top-flight prospects

January 04, 2021, 2:14pm

Nationals

Nats keep eye on Venezuela for top-flight prospects

If you study the 2020 Nationals instructional league roster, you will notice a good amount of talent drawn from Venezuela. Of the 65 players on the roster, 16 are from Venezuela. Here is a list of those Nats prospects in attendance at the October camp in West Palm Beach, Fla., along with their top 30 prospect ranking, according to MLBPipeline.com: Pitchers RHP Tomas Alastre RHP Mirton BlancoRHP Niomar GomezRHP Angel GuillenRHP Andry Lara (No. 4)RHP Carlos RomeroRHP Karlo Seijas LHP Alfonso...

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Stevenson relaxed at plate and in outfield for Nats in 2020

January 01, 2021, 4:57pm

Nationals

Stevenson relaxed at plate and in outfield for Nats in 2020

Recently, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo provided great insight on Andrew Stevenson as the potential fourth outfielder heading into 2021, taking on the role owned by Michael A. Taylor the past six seasons. Stevenson ended the season on a flurry, hitting .417 over the final 12 games of 2020. The LSU star enjoyed a .488 on-base percentage the final two weeks, making it very difficult for the opposing pitcher to record an out with him at the plate. Nats outfielder/baserunning coordinator...

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Nats' minor league pitching depth still a position of strength

December 28, 2020, 11:03pm

Nationals

Nats' minor league pitching depth still a position of strength

The Nationals system is strong from a pitching standpoint, even with the recent trade of prospects Wil Crowe and Eddy Yean to the Pirates. The Nats' top 10 prospects were all pitchers prior to the move that acquired All-Star first baseman Josh Bell, so now it is top eight, according to MLBPipeline.com. Prospects Jackson Rutledge, Cade Cavalli and Cole Henry are the top three. All three were drafted in 2019 or 2020. No. 5 prospect Mason Denaburg was a 2018 top selection. Nats assistant general...

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How Nats prepare young outfielders for what they will see in games

December 25, 2020, 3:22pm

Nationals

How Nats prepare young outfielders for what they will see in games

Here is a list of the young outfielders (and their ages) that were in attendance at Nationals instructional league workouts in October: Andry Arias, 20Gage Canning, 23Justin Connell, 21 Jeremy De La Rosa, 18 Braian Fernandez, 21 Jorge Hurtado, 20 Daniel Marte, 18 Ricardo Mendez, 20 Roismar Quintana, 17 Jake Randa, 22 Cody Wilson, 24 Outfield/baserunning coordinator Gary Thurman worked with these players on the fundamentals the Nats want every outfielder to master as they make their way through...

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Notes on Stevenson, Turner and Scherzer

December 22, 2020, 4:59pm

Nationals

One bright spot at the end of the abbreviated 2020 season was watching Andrew Stevenson crush baseballs for the final few weeks. The outfielder hit .417 in September, with seven doubles, one triple, two homers and 12 RBIs. His on-base percentage was .488. With Michael A. Taylor given the option to look for another team - and eventually signing a deal with the Royals - it was obvious the door was open for Stevenson to officially take on the role as the club's fourth outfielder going forward....

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Kendrick, Nats' 2019 postseason hero, announces retirement

December 21, 2020, 2:42pm

Nationals

Kendrick, Nats' 2019 postseason hero, announces retirement

Another World Series hero will not be returning to the Nationals in 2021. Howie Kendrick, whose pair of game-changing homers helped lift the Nats to their first World Series title in 2019, announced he is retiring from Major League Baseball after 15 seasons. Kendrick posted the announcement on his Instagram account on Monday night. "Last but not least, my Beloved Washington Nationals, thank you for embracing me as one of your own," he wrote. "I feel as though I'd been a National my whole...

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Nats sign Guerra and Castillo to minor league deals

December 21, 2020, 1:00pm

Nationals

Nats sign Guerra and Castillo to minor league deals

The Nationals have confirmed the signing of catcher Welington Castillo and right-hander Javy Guerra to minor league contracts that include invitations to major league spring training. This is the second year in a row that Castillo has signed with the Nats in the offseason, but the backstop opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns. Castillo, 33, will look to solidify the second catcher spot on the roster alongside Yan Gomes. Castillo played at least 100 games from 2013 to 2016 and...

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Notes on Soto and Zimmerman

December 21, 2020, 11:04am

Nationals

Most times when Nationals manager Davey Martinez is made available to the national media, there will be a question about the potential of Juan Soto. What was interesting from Martinez's answer to a recent question about Soto's ceiling as a ballplayer was what he ultimately expects from him. The skipper said he wanted no part of putting a cap on Soto's potential to become a complete ballplayer. Why? Because Soto has the talent - but maybe even more importantly - the drive, to be the best at...

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Martinez liked DH in NL and shorter doubleheaders

December 20, 2020, 2:07pm

Nationals

Martinez liked DH in NL and shorter doubleheaders

There were a few rules changes implemented in an attempt to speed up games during the abbreviated 60-game 2020 schedule: placing an automatic runner on second base in extra innings, the addition of the designated hitter in the National League and seven-inning doubleheaders. Two months after the season came to a disappointing end for the Nationals, manager Davey Martinez was asked what rules he would keep and which ones would he wants thrown in the Dumpster. There has been talk that the...

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De La Rosa stepped into leadership role at instructional league

December 19, 2020, 2:20am

Nationals

De La Rosa stepped into leadership role at instructional league

The Nationals are building outfield talent at the lower levels of their organization. The club boasts a good amount of quality prospects that are a couple of years away from making an impact at the major league level. The highest-rated of these outfielders is Jeremy De La Rosa, who is No. 13 on the list of MLBPipeline.com Nats prospects. The 18-year-old played 26 games with the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Nationals in 2019. Former major league outfielder Gary Thurman has been the...

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Report: Nats finalize minor league managerial appointments

December 17, 2020, 2:05am

Nationals

Report: Nats finalize minor league managerial appointments

The Nationals have set their minor league managers for 2021, according to published reports. At Triple-A Rochester, Matt LeCroy returns to the dugout, moving up from Double-A Harrisburg. Moving to the Senators to manage is Tripp Keister. At high Single-A Wilmington is Tommy Shields. Mario Lisson takes over as manager for low Single-A Fredericksburg. Since 2008, LeCroy, 45, has managed in the Nats system at low Single-A, high Single-A and Double-A and was the bullpen coach on Matt Williams'...

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Nats focus on Robles' speed and agility heading into 2021

December 16, 2020, 2:26am

Nationals

Nats focus on Robles' speed and agility heading into 2021

Manager Davey Martinez made a point heading into this offseason to get better in outfield defense as the Nationals look to return to the top of the National League East after a fourth-place finish in 2020. In 2019, center fielder Victor Robles led the major leagues with 23 Outs Above Average (OAA) over 155 games. In 2020, in just 52 games, Robles reached only 2 OAA. Adam Eaton had a minus-1 OAA and Juan Soto a minus-2 OAA. Outfielders Michael A. Taylor and Andrew Stevenson did not register an...

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Strasburg's return to full health crucial to formulating 2021 rotation

December 15, 2020, 10:25am

Nationals

Strasburg's return to full health crucial to formulating 2021 rotation

Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg has recovered well from right hand surgery and is expected to be at full health when spring training begins, hopefully in mid-February 2021. Strasburg pitched in only two games in the abbreviated 2020 campaign, severely hampering a rotation that has been the strength of the Nats success for many seasons. "He was just re-examined on Dec. 4," general manager Mike Rizzo during today's Zoom video call with reporters. "He's coming along great. He should be...

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Notes on Mendoza, Cluff and Snyder from alternate site

December 14, 2020, 6:10pm

Nationals

Notes on Mendoza, Cluff and Snyder from alternate site

Here is more perspective on the advancement of third baseman/first baseman Drew Mendoza, who finally got his shot to participate in workouts and games in Fredericksburg, Va., in the summer. The No. 11 Nationals prospect joined other top 20 Nationals prospects, according to director of player development Mark Scialabba. "We got him to the alternate site start of September. Along with shortstop Jackson Cluff (No. 20) and catcher Israel Pineda (No. 14), we had the ability to get him there to get...

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Tim Cate "made big strides" over summer as he prepares for 2021

December 12, 2020, 10:55am

Nationals

Tim Cate "made big strides" over summer as he prepares for 2021

Here is a quick update on left-hander Tim Cate. The 2018 second-rounder is rated as the No. 8 overall Nationals prospect, according to MLBPipeline.com. Nats pitching coordinator Brad Holman said Cate is not afraid to go after hitters and he believes this will help him as his career moves along. Cate went 7-4 with 3.31 ERA in 13 starts in 2019, striking out 66 over 73 1/3 innings. Holman liked the advancement he saw in Cate this summer at the alternate camp in Fredericksburg, Va., despite having...

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Reichard: Nats players will love the hospitality of Rochester

December 10, 2020, 8:06am

Nationals

Reichard: Nats players will love the hospitality of Rochester

The Nationals announced their minor league affiliate invitations for 2021 on Wednesday, and the list did not include the Hagerstown Suns, signaling the end of a 13-year relationship. Kevin Reichard, the editor and publisher of Ballpark Digest, believes Suns owner Bruce Quinn might consider becoming an independent-league team going forward. "I don't know what Bruce is going to do, quite honestly," Reichard said. "He's got various business interests. I haven't heard much out of his camp as...

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Nats announce 2021 minor league affiliate invitations

December 09, 2020, 7:42am

Nationals

Nats announce 2021 minor league affiliate invitations

The Nationals made it official today, inviting four organizations to become minor league affiliates in Major League Baseball's new player development structure. The affiliates are the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings, Double-A Harrisburg Senators, high Single-A Wilmington Blue Rocks and low Single-A Fredericksburg Nationals. The invites have not yet been formally accepted, but Wilmington already officially accepted the invitation on Twitter and the other three affiliates have current longstanding...

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Cavalli and Powell show eagerness to learn during summer workouts

December 08, 2020, 2:04am

Nationals

Cavalli and Powell show eagerness to learn during summer workouts

Here are a couple of updates on a pair of top five draft picks for the Nationals in right-handers Cade Cavalli and Holden Powell. Cavalli was the Nats' top selection in this summer's First-Year Player Draft out of Oklahoma. He is listed on the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Nationals roster heading into 2021. Nats pitching coordinator Brad Holman said Cavalli played two positions in college until finally deciding to put focus on starting pitching. "Cade really hadn't been pitching that...

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Ross, Harrison adjust offseason workouts in COVID environment

December 05, 2020, 7:28pm

Nationals

Ross, Harrison adjust offseason workouts in COVID environment

Joe Ross took the 2020 season off, opting out due to the coronavirus pandemic. But the Nationals right-hander believes he can use that time that rested his arm to his advantage as he ramps up for a return in 2021. "A little similarity to being injured," Ross said about being away from the game during a recent Zoom video call. "I'm sure the adrenaline first time back facing hitters is going to be through the roof. I think that might be the biggest thing as I start to throw off the mound more...