nationals

Nats sign Guerra and Castillo to minor league deals

December 21, 2020, 1:00pm

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...

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Ross and Harrison excited to join Pull Up Together campaign

December 04, 2020, 10:26am

Nationals

Ross and Harrison excited to join Pull Up Together campaign

The Nationals today announced their continued partnership with the Players Alliance and a stop coming up Saturday in Washington, D.C. The Players Alliance includes more than 100 black former and current professional baseball players who use their platforms to help baseball become a more inclusive environment for the next generation of players by building equitable systems to change the trajectory of diversity throughout the sport. The Pull Up Together campaign provides food, COVID-19 resources...

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Nationals still have confidence in Kieboom

December 02, 2020, 8:41am

Nationals

2020 was not the breakout season Carter Kieboom might have hoped for, but that does not mean that the Nationals third baseman did not make some positive strides. Kieboom hit .202 in 99 at-bats this past season, with one double and nine RBIs. The 23-year-old played in 33 games, three times more than he played in back in 2019. He showed a penchant for improved patience, seeing 4.39 pitchers per at-bat. In 2019, he saw only 3.91 pitches per time up. The big statistic that jumped out was his...

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Nats prospect Cole Henry way ahead of game as 2021 approaches

November 30, 2020, 4:20pm

Nationals

Nats prospect Cole Henry way ahead of game as 2021 approaches

Here is an update on the Nationals' 2020 second-round draft selection, right-hander Cole Henry. The 6-foot-4, 211-lb., Henry was LSU's No. 1 starter in the most recent abbreviated season. He is rated as the Nats No. 4 overall prospect on MLBPipeline.com. Although the Tigers were only able to get four weekends of play in due to the coronavirus pandemic shutdown, Henry still managed to go 2-1 with a 1.89 ERA in 19 innings. He recorded 23 strikeouts with only six walks. On Feb. 28, he beat Texas...

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Cronin refining curveball as he works toward big league goal

September 14, 2020, 6:49am

Nationals

Cronin refining curveball as he works toward big league goal

Lots of chatter from the Nationals recently about how well Matt Cronin is doing at the alternate training site. The left-hander has been dominant and has had the opportunity to showcase his stuff against experienced Nats hitters. "It was a little bit of an adjustment at first just facing more seasoned hitters," Cronin said. "Guys who knew the zone a little better and are used to seeing higher-quality stuff. I was struggling just attacking hitters when I first got here, but after the...

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Doubles can turn into homers as minor leaguers move to majors

November 28, 2020, 5:58pm

Nationals

Doubles can turn into homers as minor leaguers move to majors

One way to track the potential of a young star becoming a power hitter in the major leagues is to monitor doubles hit through their minor league career. Let's start with a couple of elite players - Trea Turner and Anthony Rendon - and their minor league statistics. Turner spent 69 games in the minors in 2014 and hit 16 doubles, which is one double every 4.3 games. That number stayed about the same in 2015, when Turner hit 24 doubles in 116 games, which was one double every 4.8 games. Turner...

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With Rainey placed on the injured list, Barrett returns to the Nats

September 15, 2020, 1:26pm

Nationals

With Rainey placed on the injured list, Barrett returns to the Nats

The Nationals have placed right-hander Tanner Rainey on the 10-day injured list with a right flexor strain and recalled Aaron Barrett from the alternate training site. Manager Davey Martinez spoke with Rainey today at Tropicana Field before they made the decision. "He came in today and said he felt a little bit better," Martinez said. "We just want to be safe and make sure that he is 100 percent when he comes back. That was the decision right there. At this point we just want to make sure...

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Is a good BABIP important in getting to the World Series?

November 26, 2020, 6:52am

Nationals

Is a good BABIP important in getting to the World Series?

I had a chance to catch up with current George Washington University and former big league coach Gregg Ritchie prior to the GW women's basketball game in D.C. on Wednesday night, and we talked about how important balls in play are to overall success for major league teams. Ritchie played in the Rangers organization in 1995 and was the Pirates' hitting coach from 2011-2012. He contended that most of the teams that recently played in the World Series did a very good job of putting the ball in...