nationals

Nats announce new minor league player development staff (updated)

January 18, 2022, 7:13am

The Nationals announced their 2022 minor league player development staff on Tuesday, with 14 new roles and more than 20 new members. This completes the process this offseason of completely revamping the department as the Nationals focus more on the growth of their minor league players during the first year of what is hoped to be a quick rebuild. General manager Mike Rizzo hinted at these changes coming to the organization during his press conference on the last day of the regular season. "We...

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Vaquero signs record deal for international prospect with Nats

January 15, 2022, 8:01am

Nationals

Vaquero signs record deal for international prospect with Nats

As has been widely expected, the Nationals officially announced the signing of Cuban outfielder Cristhian Vaquero as the international signing period opened today. The 17-year-old switch-hitter is considered by many the top prospect in this international class. The Nationals agreed to terms with 10 players from three different countries, headlined by Vaquero, to open this signing period. Vaquero has reportedly been signed to a $4,925,000 bonus, which is a new club record for an international...

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Nats expected to sign top international prospect Vaquero

January 14, 2022, 4:23am

Nationals

Nats expected to sign top international prospect Vaquero

Today marks an important day on the baseball calendar, especially for teams looking to bolster their farm systems. The international signing period begins today, as opposed to the traditional July 2 opening, and runs through Dec. 15, allowing teams to sign young talent from foreign countries to their lower level minor league teams. For the Nationals, this presents another opportunity to add young talent as they attempt to revamp their entire organization from top to bottom. But unlike the...

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Nats' most significant moves in January

January 07, 2022, 4:58am

Nationals

As the calendar turns to a new year this January, a new baseball season is on the horizon. When it will actually begin, however, remains to be seen. The lockout is currently keeping teams from making any major league roster moves, which is a shame because Mike Rizzo is usually very busy during the year's first month. No matter the pace of an offseason's free agent market, we have seen the Nationals general manager put together a competitive roster well before the start of spring training year...

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Nationals all in on developing pitching

December 04, 2020, 10:07am

Nationals

It is no secret that the Nationals have made a commitment to drafting and developing pitching. Cade Cavalli, their first-round pick in the 2020 First-Year Player Draft, is the most recent example of that strategy. The Nats have selected 34 pitchers in the first 10 rounds of the last five drafts, and if this year's draft was not shortened to just five rounds, that number would likely be higher. General manager Mike Rizzo built a championship team on starting pitching, and it is clear that he...

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Watch the celebration following Jose Lobaton's walk-off sac fly

September 18, 2015, 7:59pm

Nationals

Watch the celebration following Jose Lobaton's walk-off sac fly

Two Fridays ago, the Nationals sported their blue jerseys and faced their National League East rivals, the Braves, in front of the hometown crowd at Nats Park. With the game tied 2-2 in the bottom of the 10th, Michael A. Taylor came on to pinch-hit and sent a walk-off three-run home run into the stands. Fast forward to last night's scene in D.C. The boys dawned their patriotic get-up as they hosted another division foe, the Marlins. The ballgame was knotted at 4-4 after nine innings. To the...

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MASNsports.com hosts live video chats with Anthony Rendon, Dan Kolko and Matt Williams

August 08, 2015, 4:30pm

Nationals

MASNsports.com hosts live video chats with Anthony Rendon, Dan Kolko and Matt Williams

We know you see interviews with Anthony Rendon, Dan Kolko and Matt Williams day-in and day-out, but we wanted to give you the chance to ask the questions and get a better look at their lives off the baseball diamond. Fans submitted their questions for the Nationals guys using #AskRendon, #AskKolko and #AskMatt on Twitter. Then, Chris Johnson hosted a live video chat broadcasted on MASNsports.com with the three of them on Friday afternoon. Watch all the fun in the videos below. Watch live...

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Bryce Harper uses patriotic bat on Fourth of July

July 04, 2015, 12:30pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper uses patriotic bat on Fourth of July

The Fourth of July celebrations have become a tradition at Nationals Park. We've become accustomed to taking in the holiday with a United States-shaped flag in the outfield and the Nationals' special uniforms. But Bryce Harper took it one step further this year. Harper used a patriotic bat, featuring stars and strips with the D.C. skyline. In his first at-bat with the lumber, Harper smashed a two-run home run to extend the Nationals' lead to 3-0. He went on to go 3-for-4 with two RBIs,...

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Throwback Thursday: The beasts in the NL East

April 02, 2015, 4:42am

Nationals

Throwback Thursday: The beasts in the NL East

Opening day is only four days away. That's right, Nationals fans. Only four more days until the defending National League East champions take the field. Speaking of NL East champions ... Before the Nationals begin to chase another division title, let's throw it back that moment. Yes, I am talking about that moment. Relive the Clinchmas celebration below. It truly never gets old.

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Throwback Thursday: The no-no

March 26, 2015, 5:01am

Nationals

While you cross off the days on your calendar until April 6, I thought I'd take it back to the best moment in Nationals history. Need I say more? I will warn you that watching the highlights from Jordan Zimmermann's no-hitter may actually make the days, hours and minutes until opening day feel longer. Just remember, only 11 more days.

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Throwback Thursday: A standoff for the ages

February 26, 2015, 5:51am

Nationals

Throwback Thursday: A standoff for the ages

After the national anthem in sunny Colorado, Aaron Barrett and Brandon Barnes remained standing with their caps on their chests. They were locked in an epic standoff. Barrett had the support of the Nationals bench as teammates treated the pitcher to water and sunscreen. Even Bryce Harper looked out for Barrett's safety with a helmet and elbow guard. Obviously, it was intense. Relive the amazing standoff in the video below. Trust me, it's worth watching.

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Throwback Thursday: A look back at Zimmerman's hot corner skills

February 19, 2015, 5:23am

Nationals

Throwback Thursday: A look back at Zimmerman's hot corner skills

Spring training starts today! Boy, that has a nice ring to it. While we bear with below-freezing temperatures in the mid-Atlantic, the Nationals are kicking off camp in Florida. It's time to dust off the cleats, warm up the arms and get ready for opening day. Before April 6 arrives, the Nats have a few adjustments to make. Bryce Harper and Jayson Werth have to get used to flipping left and right field. Tanner Roark needs to re-establish his bullpen dominance. And last - but definitely...

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Throwback Thursday: Walk-off City

February 12, 2015, 5:16am

Nationals

It's impressive to win 10 games in a row in the major leagues. It's even more impressive to win on five walk-offs in a six-game span. When you consider the fact that the Nationals accomplished both during the same stretch in 2014, it's almost unbelievable. The Nats swept both the Mets and Pirates in three-game series before going on to sweep the Diamondbacks in a four-game series. Seven of the 10 games were one-run wins. Five of those seven, of course, were walk-offs. If that isn't...

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Throwback Thursday: Fear the goggles

January 15, 2015, 4:47am

Nationals

Last night, the Nationals traded Tyler Clippard to the A's for Yunel Escobar, ending the set-up man's seven-year stint in D.C. This week's Throwback Thursday takes a look back at one of Clippard's shutdown performances from 2014. With a one-run lead, Clippard came on in the eighth inning to face a lethal Brewers lineup. He struck out the side, taking care of Jonathan Lucroy, Khris Davis and Mark Reynolds, and received a standing ovation as he strolled to the dugout. As we all know, this was...

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Throwback Thursday: One of the best performances of the year

December 31, 2014, 9:44am

Nationals

Throwback Thursday: One of the best performances of the year

The start of a new year makes me even more excited for the start of a new baseball season. This week, I'm throwin' it back to one performance that makes every Nationals fan excited for 2015. After hitting just 13 home runs and 32 RBIs in just 100 regular season games, Bryce Harper dominated in the playoffs. Harper homered in three of the Nats' four games and drove in six of their nine postseason runs. His most memorable blast of the season came in Game 4 of the National League Division...

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Throwback Thursday: Frandsen's goofy grab

December 31, 2014, 9:14am

Nationals

Throwback Thursday: Frandsen's goofy grab

This week, I'm throwin' it back to a moment that may have slipped your mind. In fact, I'm shining a spotlight on the most mysterious play of the season. That's right, I said mysterious. In the third inning with the Nationals leading 2-1 in Houston, Jason Castro hit a shot to left field. As the ball bounced off the wall, Kevin Frandsen turned, ran toward the infield and stuck his glove behind his back. Somehow, some way, without even a glance back, the ball ended up in Frandsen's glove....

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Throwback Thursday: The catch

December 18, 2014, 2:57am

Nationals

I'm sure every Nationals fan already knows what this week's Throwback Thursday is about. Cue the goosebumps. Yesterday, it was reported that the Nationals were involved in a three-team trade, dealing Steven Souza Jr. to the Rays and receiving two prospects from the Padres. Automatically, I know the first thing that comes to mind is "The Catch," so without further adieu, relive the jaw-dropping play below. Your browser does not support iframes.

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Throwback Thursday: Desmond's biggest bomb

December 11, 2014, 3:10am

Nationals

Throwback Thursday: Desmond's biggest bomb

This week, Ian Desmond's name has been thrown around the rumor mill at the Winter Meetings. With just one year left on his contract, the Nationals have their ears open, listening to offers for the shortstop. Desmond is one of the most powerful shortstops in the league. He has hit at least 20 home runs in each of his last three seasons and has won three straight Silver Slugger Awards. Coincidence? I think not. This week, I'm throwin' it back to Desmond's furthest home run of the season, a...

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Throwback Thursday: Game-ending robbery

December 04, 2014, 3:39am

Nationals

The colder it gets outside, the more fans miss warm summer nights at Nationals Park. The delicious food, great views, exciting home runs and ,of course, those moments that bring you to the edge of your seat. Well, this week I'm throwin' it back to one of those edge-of-your-seat moments. In fact, this was more of a slowly-stand-up-with-your-mouth-gaping-open moment. It's the bottom of the ninth in the nation's capital. The Nationals have a 5-2 lead, but the Mets have two on and the tying run...

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Throwback Thursday: From backhand to blind throw

November 20, 2014, 4:37am

Nationals

Throwback Thursday: From backhand to blind throw

Early in the season, Anthony Rendon took over the hot corner, leaving the Nationals with a hole at second base. At the trade deadline, Mike Rizzo filled that opening with veteran Asdrubal Cabrera, adding an experienced glove and valuable bat as the Nats prepared for a postseason run. Cabrera has been known for flashing some leather throughout his career, and that proved to be no different during his time in the nation's capital. Cabrera performed as a human highlight reel at second base with...