The Nationals pitching staff continues to be bolstered by the addition of guys with college experience like A.J. Morris and Sammy Solis, but there are also some high school prospects that were signed this year at the top of the draft that could make an impact sooner rather than later. A.J. Cole and Robbie Ray, a pair of high school pitchers at instructs, made very favorable impressions, and both had major college offers they turned down in order to go pro and play for the Nationals right...

First it's June Cleaver, now Howard Cunningham. This hasn't been a good week for TV parents. If Rob Petrie dies, I'll stay curled up in a ball for weeks. A Yankee hits a long fly ball, the right fielder appears to be camped under it at the fence, and a fan reaches out and deflects it. Like that would ever happen in a playoff game. Did anyone else have flashbacks last night to the 1996 ALCS as Robinson Cano circled the bases and Nelson Cruz pointed into the first row of seats? Did you...

After surgery to repair a torn labrum on August 13th, O's pitching prospect Brandon Erbe is in the very early stages of his comeback and rehab. He hopes to begin some light throwing in December and report to spring training on time in February. It may take a while, though, before he is back to pitching at top form and he is quite aware of that. Erbe is also in the early stages of re-tooling his windup and mechanics. He would like to emerge with smoother, cleaner mechanics after the...

Baseball America's Matt Eddy released the latest list of minor league free agents, one of my favorite features from the publication. Eddy reported that the Orioles re-signed pitcher Raul Rivero, so everyone can relax. Actually, Rivero was 4-3 with a 3.06 ERA in 37 relief appearances - 22 with Single-A Frederick and 15 with Double-A Bowie. The Giants allowed pitcher Denny Bautista to become a free agent, which led to my quick stroll down memory lane. But I never know what to wear. I was...

Rizzo signs five-year extension, will continue to revamp roster that by season's end contained only 10 players remaining from Opening Day 2009. The Washington Nationals today announced that Mike Rizzo has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager and signed a new five-year contract. Managing Principal Owner Theodore N. Lerner made the announcement. "Mike Rizzo is unquestionably one of the best baseball minds in the game," said Lerner. "He has a...

So when is Cliff Lee going to start dialing it up for the postseason? On my list of dream jobs, I'm adding "Cliff Lee's agent." To make room, I'm removing "Aubrey Huff's towel boy." Again, we're onto something here: Name your ideal sports job, and one that you'd find least appealing. I no longer have any interest in airbrushing Brett Favre's photos. Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star reports that Zack Greinke has until after the World Series to notify the Royals about the...

I had a chance to catch up again with the Nationals number one draft selection, Bryce Harper, as he embarks on his first game for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the Arizona Fall league Wednesday. Harper said he is pretty excited to get the invite to play in the AFL. "I am really happy to be a part of the Arizona Fall league with the caliber of guys at this stage," Harper said. "To be able to go up there and play with Lombo, Norris and Burgess, all those good guys, it is incredible. I am...

Earlier today in this space, I posted an article about Luke Scott's homer potential. He hit 27 homers this year and that ranked 14th best in the AL. But he was 6th in the AL in at bats per each home run. Scott is a player that has never gotten over 475 at bats in a single season. This year he had 447. With more at bats, could 35 to 40 homers be in reach for Scott? He wonders that as well. "The last three years, look at the power numbers. I hit 23, 25 and 27 homers in under 500 at...

Here is a question I've been wondering about for a while: How many homers is Luke Scott capable of hitting if he were to get more at bats? Scott hit 27 homers this past season, which ranked 14th best in the American League. But he ranked 6th in the AL in at bats per homer. Here are the top six in at bats per home run this year in the AL: 10.54 - Jose Bautista, Tor 14.05 - Paul Konerko, CWS 14.42 - Miguel Cabrera, Det 16.19 - Josh Hamilton, Tex & David Ortiz, Bos 16.56 - Luke Scott,...

Orioles infield prospect Ryan Adams and the Angels' Brandon Wood were named co-Players of the Week in the Arizona Fall League. Both third basemen collected at least one hit and an RBI in every game last week. Adams, the Orioles' second-round pick in the 2006 draft, batted .500 (6-for-12) with a one home run, seven RBIs and two runs scored. Adams hit .298 with 43 doubles, 15 home runs and 68 RBIs, with a .365 on-base percentage and .464 slugging percentage, at Double-A Bowie. In five...