As our offseason coverage kicks into high gear, we're going to review each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Jeremy Hellickson, who proved a surprisingly effective acquisition when he wasn't injured. PLAYER REVIEW: JEREMY HELLICKSON Age on opening day 2019: 31 How acquired: Signed as free agent, March 2018 MLB service time: 8 years, 45 days 2018 salary: $2 million (plus incentives) Contract status: Free agent 2018 stats: 5-3, 3.45 ERA, 19 GS, 0 CG, 91 1/3 IP,...

One pitcher we should keep an eye on this winter is right-hander Jhonatan German. The 23-year-old pitched well for the low Single-A Hagerstown Suns to end the season. German went 2-1 with a 2.95 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 21 1/3 innings for the Suns from July 14 to Sept. 2. Nationals pitching coordinator Paul Menhart saw a big improvement this season from where German was in 2017, when he wasn't throwing strikes as consistently. "One other guy, he had a wonderful season, Jhonatan German,"...

It is not exactly this easy, but one way for the Orioles could improve their pitching staff is to add pitchers who throw with premium velocity and/or pitchers who have strong strikeout rates. It is not a direct correlation, but the teams with the best strikeout rates and those that throw the hardest are often good teams with good pitching staffs. The sport keeps trending toward more and more velocity, and the trend of managers pulling starters sooner just gets teams into bullpens sooner, and...

The Orioles will be shut out in Rawlings Gold Glove voting for a third consecutive year. The lack of a finalist in 2018 sealed their fate. Manny Machado made the final three last year at third base, but was denied his third Gold Glove. He isn't a finalist after a change in positions and teams, but the World Series provides a nice distraction for him. Yesterday's news was anticlimactic, with the Orioles having no obvious candidates at any position. Machado was traded prior to the non-waiver...

For the third straight year, Anthony Rendon is a finalist for a Gold Glove Award. Now the Nationals third baseman can only hope he doesn't lose out to Nolan Arenado for the third straight year. Rendon was revealed today as one of the top three vote-getters among National League third basemen, joining the Rockies' Arenado and the Brewers' Travis Shaw. The winner will be revealed on Nov. 4. Voting among NL managers and coaches took place in late September. A sabermetic component provided by...

As our offseason coverage kicks into high gear, we're going to review each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Erick Fedde, who is still trying to find his footing in the big leagues. PLAYER REVIEW: ERICK FEDDE Age on opening day 2019: 26 How acquired: First-round pick, 2014 draft MLB service time: 150 days 2018 salary: $545,000 Contract status: Under team control through 2020, likely arbitration-eligible in 2021, free agent in 2025 2018 stats: 2-4, 5.54 ERA, 11...

Unable to sign any of the high-profile Cuban prospects featured at a showcase earlier this month, the Orioles announced today that they've reached agreement with four international players while reallocating a portion of the $6.5 million they held in bonus slots. Joining the organization are 19-year-old Dominican right-hander Kelvin LaRoche, 18-year-old Cuban outfielder Kevin Infante, 17-year-old Venezuelan outfielder Angel Gomez and 17-year-old Venezuelan shortstop Gilbert Machado. The amount...

The Orioles have agreed to terms with the following four international players: OF KEVIN INFANTE, an 18-year-old out of Cuba OF ANGEL GOMEZ, a 17-year-old out of Venezuela RHP KELVIN LAROCHE, a 19-year-old out of the Dominican Republic SS GILBERT MACHADO, a 17-year-old out of Venezuela Director of Player Development Brian Graham provided the following quote: "Infante is a right-handed-hitting corner outfielder who also possesses the skill set to play second base. He's a plus runner with a...

The Orioles acquired third baseman Renato Núñez off waivers from Texas on May 13 and sent him to Triple-A Norfolk. On July 20, he got the call to join the Orioles and stuck with the team through the remainder of the season. After almost eight full seasons in the Oakland organization, Núñez is trying to find a major league home, and so far his biggest chance to play has come with the Orioles. In the big leagues, he got 15 plate appearances with the Athletics in 2016 and 16 in 2017....

Contracts are on the verge of expiring for a multitude of individuals in the Orioles organization, including the coaching staff that served under former manager Buck Showalter. Meanwhile, there are players wondering if they're included in any future plans, unsure of Showalter's replacement and how they fit into the rebuild. A fresh set of eyes could inject life into a career or deflate it. Joey Rickard must be wondering whether he can break camp with the team next spring and if he's going to...