You probably have noticed that we enjoy writing about and covering the minor leagues here. So that was one of the many reasons I listened in with interest during the player development fan forum at FanFest on Saturday. This was a chance, during a 20-minute session, for fans to address topics on the farm and question Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette, along with vice president of baseball operations Brady Anderson and director of player development Brian...

Manny Machado pulled off the neat trick of being a central figure in three FanFest storylines despite remaining home in Miami. Why wasn't he there? What position is he playing? Why hasn't he been traded or signed to a lucrative extension? We only know that he had an unexcused absence that manager Buck Showalter supported as a private matter. We know that he's entering camp as the starting shortstop, with Tim Beckham moving to third base. And executive vice president Dan Duquette explained...

MLB.com released its annual top 100 prospects list and the Nationals had three players ranked. Center fielder Victor Robles was listed at No. 6, while outfielder Juan Soto is No. 29 and shortstop Carter Kieboom checks in at No. 90. This list was in contrast to the Baseball America 2018 preliminary release, which had only Robles and Soto in the top 100. MLB.com said the prospects are ranked based on "players' skill sets, the ability to make a long-term impact and potential in the Major...

The Nationals are bringing in some extra infield insurance, signing veteran Reid Brignac to a minor league contract with an invitation to big league camp this spring. Brignac's signing, which was confirmed by a club source and first reported by The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, gives the Nats another experienced infielder whose services may be required if Daniel Murphy isn't ready to return from his October knee surgery by opening day. The Nationals already have Wilmer Difo available to start at...

If you can get a sense of the pulse of the Orioles fan base listening to sports talk radio and reading the comments on these blogs, then the move of Manny Machado to shortstop is playing to mixed reviews. On the plus side, some fans are down with the fact that the team is taking its best defender and putting him at a premium defensive position. On the down side, some fans seem to feel the club gave in to the player's desire to move to shortstop for his final season before free agency. Let's...

The expansion of the protective netting at Camden Yards and most ballparks meets the approval of Orioles reliever Darren O'Day, who's been an advocate of it for many years. However, the possibility of Major League Baseball instituting a 20-second pitch clock brings the opposite reaction. One out of two might have to suffice. The Orioles are extending the netting from section 16 to section 58, though the exact dimensions will become official after further work with the design and engineering...

Matt Albers has reportedly agreed to a two-year contract with the Brewers, parlaying his career season in the Nationals bullpen into a $5 million deal in Milwaukee. Albers' deal, reported by The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, is still pending a physical. Once that final step is completed, the veteran right-hander will become the first prominent free agent who played for the Nationals last season to sign elsewhere for 2018. Though the Nats had some interest in attempting to re-sign Albers, he was...

We had a great time at Orioles FanFest this past weekend! Thank you to all the fans who stopped by for their free Social Snapshots or just to say "Hey" to our team, and congrats to all of you who left with great prizes. Of course, some of the highlights of the day were the Orioles players and MASN talent stopping by to take Social Snapshots with you fans. And what a way to kick off the day by having outfielder Trey Mancini as our first visitor. Mancini was not just a highlight at FanFest, but...

The Single-A Potomac Nationals confirmed at their Hot Stove Banquet on Sunday that the club has extended its lease to play at Pfitzner Stadium until the 2020 season. They also have the option to end the lease early if they are able to find the opportunity to move into a new stadium elsewhere. Owner Art Silber, who continues to spearhead the new stadium campaign, could not provide specifics, but confirmed the location would be at least within a "30-mile radius" from their present location in...

When the television cameras pan the crowd at tomorrow night's State of the Union address by President Donald J. Trump, don't be surprised if you see a certain bearded former Nationals outfielder who's more than a little legendary in these parts. And the reason for his invitation to sit in the gallery at the once-a-year speech has nothing at all to do with his baseball career. According to Roll Call, Jayson Werth will be at U.S. Capitol on Tuesday night, a guest of Rep. Rodney Davis, an...