A fan's guide to the Nationals' April schedule

A fan's guide to the Nationals' April schedule
Let's get you ready for the first month of the season, and if you have the good fortune of seeing the Nationals on the road to begin in Chicago and New York, here is a quick primer. Every time I get an advance schedule for a local team, I always look to see what other sporting events are going on in the four major professional sports and check the live music or comedy schedules to see if they possibly matchup with off-days. I also have to hit the best pizza, wings or hot dog joints available...

Tyler Moore focused on his speed and footwork in outfield defense

Tyler Moore focused on his speed and footwork in outfield defense
Bryce Harper and Tyler Moore, the future heart of the Nationals' order, could be side-by-side in the Triple-A outfield for a few games this season. The Nationals want Harper to play a lot of center field while at Triple-A Syracuse. That would give Harper significant experience at all three outfield positions, dating back to March 2011. Updated: A Nationals source said they anticipate Moore will play mostly at first base, but he could see a few games in the outfield. During instructional...

Bryce Harper is right on schedule for D.C.

Bryce Harper is right on schedule for D.C.
It shouldn't come as a surprise that outfielder Bryce Harper was sent to Triple-A Syracuse to begin the 2012 campaign, eliminating the question of whether the Nationals' top prospect would break camp with the system's top team and head to D.C. in April. It is the best scenario for the 19-year-old to taste every level of the minor league system so he will be ready with a good dose of experience before he dons a Nationals jersey on South Capitol Street in a major league game. Of course...

Rush defense: Nationals' Jackson focusing on stopping the run

Rush defense: Nationals'  Jackson focusing on stopping the run
One issue Nationals starting pitcher Edwin Jackson may want to concentrate on is how easy it was for opposing hitters to steal second base on him last season. According to "The Fielding Bible, Volume III," Jackson struggled holding runners at first base in 2011. It is a problem that has plagued Jackson for the past few seasons. "The Fielding Bible" has formulated the term defensive runs saved, or DRS, to show how valuable a player can be by preventing runs from scoring while he is in the...

Harper's throwing adjustment keying seamless position switch

Harper's throwing adjustment keying seamless position switch
Nationals outfield coordinator Tony Tarasco has worked with Bryce Harper from Day One on getting the No. 1 prospect to make a smooth transition from his early days in high school and college as a catcher to his time now as a professional outfielder. "His progress has taken huge leaps," Tarasco said. "It is pretty impressive considering that he has only played outfield for about a year and also considering that he is coming from behind the plate and going to the outfield. A lot of times you...

"The Fielding Bible" lists Nats' Ankiel as best outfield arm

"The Fielding Bible" lists Nats' Ankiel as best outfield arm
The Nationals' outfield defense was a major reason the team finished only one game under .500 in 2011. Their defense, with arms such as Rick Ankiel, Jayson Werth, Michael Morse and quite possibly top prospect Bryce Harper patrolling the warning track this season, could take a step forward again as the franchise seeks its first playoff berth since 1981. Looking back at last year's defensive statistics, Ankiel saved eight runs in center field, the best in baseball from that position, according...

Goodwin, Harper lead discussion of Nationals' top outfield prospects

Goodwin, Harper lead discussion of Nationals' top outfield prospects
The outfield depth of the Nationals' system has certainly been fortified over the last few seasons through draft and free agent acquisition, especially with the inclusion of former catcher and No. 1 prospect Bryce Harper moving to a corner outfield position in his first season. But also garnering major attention has been former University of North Carolina and the 34th overall selection in 2011, outfielder Brian Goodwin, who the franchise hope will eventually be that prototypical center...

Nationals' pitching camp demonstrating "championship atmosphere"

Nationals' pitching camp demonstrating "championship atmosphere"
The names of the Nationals front-line pitchers in 2012 spring training certainly grab your attention: guys like Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Gio Gonzalez, Edwin Jackson, Chien Ming-Wang, John Lannan, Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen. Then there are what I like to call the glue guys. The pitchers that may not get the big headlines, but will be crucial to the overall success of this staff and key to the pennant run the Nationals hope to realize this season: guys like Ross Detwiler, Sean...

Brett Carroll looking to make big impression with Nationals

Brett Carroll looking to make big impression with Nationals
Outfielder Brett Carroll has bounced around a lot the last couple of seasons, so he is thrilled with the chance to impress on one team this spring training and work to secure a spot on the Nationals' 25-man roster. "The last four years I have been up and down in that fourth outfield role," the 29-year old Carroll said. "It has been a great experience, a blessing and it's been a grind. It was a lot of learning. There is a lot of adversity through that kind of role when you are used to...

Nationals' Rosenbaum focusing on fastball start of camp

Nationals' Rosenbaum focusing on fastball start of camp
Single-A Potomac Nationals Player of the Year Danny Rosenbaum is getting a lot of attention as spring training moves along and with good reason. The Xavier Musketeer southpaw put up top numbers in the Nationals' system in 2011, going a combined 9-6 with a 2.52 ERA in 26 games (25 starts) and 171 1/3 innings, striking out 135 and walking 52. Rosenbaum told me in last month he wanted to come into camp slimmer and was excited to get this season started. Double-A Harrisburg Senators pitching...

Nationals' top pick Rendon out to prove he can stay healthy

Nationals' top pick Rendon out to prove he can stay healthy
Top pick Anthony Rendon, a third baseman, is completely healthy and thrilled to be in his first spring training with the Washington Nationals. "It is really exciting," Rendon said. "First game, I want to take a step back and soak it all in. (It is special) looking around at all these guys I watched them on TV the last couple years, and now I am in the same clubhouse." Rendon said his injuries to his shoulder and ankles were more quirky and "freak accidents" than signs of long-term...

Triple-A Syracuse announces 13-game spring training schedule

Triple-A Syracuse announces 13-game spring training schedule
The Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs have officially announced their 2012 spring training 13-game schedule. All home games begin at 1 p.m. and will be played at the Nationals' Viera, Fla., training camp complex. Here is a rundown of the complete schedule: March 15 at Oklahoma City Kissimmee, Fla. March 16 vs. Oklahoma City Viera, Fla. March 18 vs. Toledo Viera, Fla. March 19 at Gwinnett Lake Buena Vista, Fla. March 20 vs. Gwinnett Viera, Fla. March 21 at Toledo ...

Reliever Rafael Martin looking to show he belongs in first big league camp

Reliever Rafael Martin looking to show he belongs in first big league camp
Right-handed reliever Rafael Martin is looking to get off on the right foot in his first big league camp as he will get a chance to pitch in Friday's exhibition against Georgetown University. Double-A Harrisburg Senators pitching coach Paul Menhart has coached the San Fernando, Calif., native for quite some time now in the system and could tell the 27-year-old reliever was desperate to make a good impression this first week. "He was a little anxious (on the first day)," Menhart said. "But...

Power hitter Tyler Moore becoming versatile asset Nationals envisioned

Power hitter Tyler Moore becoming versatile asset Nationals envisioned
Double-A Harrisburg first baseman Tyler Moore is coming off another 31 home run season, something you don't see very often. Moore has been the most consistent long ball hitter in the Nationals' system the last two seasons, totaling an incredible 62 round trippers and 201 RBIs. National Web sites have taken notice. Moore has been named back to back MiLB.com Nationals Organization Player of the Year. At the end of last season, the Nationals started to experiment with Moore in the outfield....

Not satisfied by postseason? How about the Nats in the World Series?

Not satisfied by postseason? How about the Nats in the World Series?
With the Nationals shoring up what could be a very talented pitching staff and the extension given to the "face of the franchise" third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, it's been a pretty good week for the team from South Capitol Street (the loss of No. 6 prospect Sammy Solis to Tommy John surgery, notwithstanding). As recent as 2009, it was difficult to find positive national recognition for what the Washington Nationals were doing, but another indication came down the World Wide Web pike this week...

Solis in California visiting doctor to check ailing elbow; Tommy John major possiblity

Solis in California visiting doctor to check ailing elbow; Tommy John major possiblity
A source with the Nationals has confirmed left-hander Sammy Solis has been shut down and is in California to meet with Dr. Lewis Yocum, who is examining his injured elbow. The team is awaiting the diagnosis of what likely would be season-ending Tommy John ligament-replacement surgery for the talented No. 6 prospect in the Nationals' system. Solis felt elbow discomfort during his playing time in the Arizona Fall League and offseason rest did not improve his condition. The University of San...

Durbin and Fulchino looking to make presence felt in Nationals' camp; update on Purke

Durbin and Fulchino looking to make presence felt in Nationals' camp; update on Purke
A couple of right-handers with a ton of experience are looking to break through and get the last one or two slots in the Nationals' bullpen this spring. Former UConn Husky Chad Durbin, who pitched with the Cleveland Indians in 2011, and spent the three previous seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies. He is off to a good start at camp with the Nationals. "(Durbin) looked outstanding, he looked like he had done it before," Menhart said. "He throws nothing straight. He can get that ball...

Baseball America's Callis believes Rendon in D.C. some time in 2013

Baseball America's Callis believes Rendon in D.C. some time in 2013
Baseball America had Nationals Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon ranked in the top 20 of their best 100 prospects list for 2012. Harper at No. 1 is pretty obvious, but executive editor Jim Callis believes Rendon probably deserves a top 10 ranking. "We have him No. 19 on our top 100, I think that is 10 spots too low," Callis said. "I am probably the biggest Rendon fan outside of the Nationals (front office)." Callis said Rendon may not hit as many home runs as Harper, but he still has the...

Potomac Nationals officially unveil brand new diamond

Potomac Nationals officially unveil brand new diamond
For the first time since 1984, the Single-A Potomac Nationals have a new baseball field in Woodbridge, Va. It has been a struggle with bad drainage and an uneven playing field for years that some speculated contributed to the team missing out on getting to see a top prospect like Bryce Harper play at Pfitzner Stadium. Today that all changed and with it, a big step up in field conditions. The hope is this new diamond will ultimately improve the quality of play for the professional baseball...

Why Baseball America's No. 1 prospect Bryce Harper won't start season with Nationals

Why Baseball America's No. 1 prospect Bryce Harper won't start season with Nationals
Baseball America has released their annual Top 100 prospect list and the Nationals' No. 1 prospect is also their No. 1 again, outfielder Bryce Harper. It is an impressive list again, with Harper just ahead of top prospects Rays' left-handed pitcher Matt Moore and Angels' outfielder Mike Trout. Baseball America executive editor Jim Callis said he spoke with 11 player personnel experts for another magazine feature, and they had Harper just ahead of Moore and Trout. The main reason:...