Over the course of more than 30 minutes answering questions from reporters over Zoom this afternoon, new Nationals hitting coach Darnell Coles espoused all kinds of thoughts on philosophy, approach, communication and everything else that goes into his job. It’s all quite interesting, and the Nats hope the 59-year-old is exactly what they need as they continue their rebuilding project with a partially remade coaching ... read more
PLAYER REVIEW: JUAN SOTO Age on opening day 2022: 23 How acquired: Signed as international free agent, July 2015 MLB service time: 3 years, 134 days 2021 salary: $8.5 million Contract status: Arbitration-eligible, free agent in 2025 2021 stats: 151 G, 654 PA, 502 AB, 111 R, 157 H, 20 2B, 2 3B, 29 HR, 95 RBI, 9 SB, 7 CS, 145 BB, 93 SO, ... read more
PLAYER REVIEW: JORDY MERCER Age on opening day 2022: 35 How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent, February 2021 MLB service time: 8 years, 156 days 2021 salary: $1 million Contract status: Free agent 2021 stats: 46 G, 127 PA 118 AB, 13 R, 30 H, 7 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 0 SB, 0 CS, 9 BB, 34 SO, .254 AVG, ... read more
PLAYER REVIEW: RILEY ADAMS Age on opening day 2022: 25 How acquired: Traded from Blue Jays for Brad Hand, July 2021 MLB service time: 91 days 2021 salary: $570,500 Contract status: Under team control, arbitration-eligible in 2025, free agent in 2028 2021 stats (TOR/WSH): 47 G, 120 PA, 99 AB, 13 R, 22 H, 8 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 0 SB, 0 ... read more
Though a deal is not yet finalized, the Nationals are making progress toward hiring Darnell Coles as their new hitting coach, a source familiar with the discussions confirmed. Details still have to be worked out, according to the source, but once completed Coles would take the position held the last four seasons by Kevin Long, who departed earlier this week to become the Phillies hitting ... read more
PLAYER REVIEW: KEIBERT RUIZ Age on opening day 2022: 23 How acquired: Traded with Josiah Gray, Gerardo Carrillo and Donovan Casey from Dodgers for Max Scherzer and Trea Turner, July 2021 MLB service time: 63 days 2021 salary: $570,500 Contract status: Under team control, arbitration-eligible in 2025, free agent in 2028 2021 stats (LA/WSH): 29 G, 96 PA, 88 AB, 10 R, 24 H, 3 ... read more
PLAYER REVIEW: CARTER KIEBOOM Age on opening day 2022: 24 How acquired: First-round pick, 2016 draft MLB service time: 1 year, 76 days 2021 salary: $570,500 Contract status: Under team control, arbitration-eligible in 2024, free agent in 2027 2021 stats: 62 G, 249 PA, 217 AB, 26 R, 45 H, 6 2B, 0 3B, 6 HR, 20 RBI, 0 SB, 0 CS, 25 BB, 62 ... read more
The Nationals removed three players off their 40-man roster this afternoon, assigning pitchers Alberto Baldonado, Steven Fuentes and Sean Nolin outright to Triple-A Rochester. Baldonado and Fuentes remain in the organization. Nolin, who previously in his career had been outrighted to the minor leagues, elected to become a free agent. Baldonado and Nolin ended the season in the Nats bullpen, while Fuentes spent much of ... read more
