Nationals encouraged by solid defense in opener

Nationals encouraged by solid defense in opener
The Nationals dropped a hard-fought 2-0 late-March lid-lifter to the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park, unable to generate offense against a solid pitching performance from veteran Derek Lowe. In his ninth career opening day start, Nationals starter Livan Hernandez was equal to the task, allowing just two runs, and the Washington bullpen surrendered just two hits in the final 2 2/3 innings. After two early tallies, Hernandez retired 15 consecutive Braves hitters. His efficiency was particularly...

Double-A Harrisburg releases 2011 roster

Double-A Harrisburg releases 2011 roster
The Double-A Harrisburg Senators today announced their 2011 roster, which includes Carolina Player of the Year Tyler Moore, Derek Norris, Jimmy Barthmaier, Pat McCoy, Hassan Pena, Tim Pahuta, Bill Rhinehart, Steve Lombardozzi and Jesus Valdez. The roster also includes recently acquired pitcher Erik Davis, obtained from San Diego in the Alberto Gonzalez deal. Tony Beasley is in his first season as the Senators' manager. Here's the full roster breakdown: Pitchers: RHP Erik Arnesen RHP...

Prospect update: Milone gets out of rough first, settles in

Prospect update: Milone gets out of rough first, settles in
Nationals left-handed pitching prospect Tom Milone got off to a slow start Wednesday, then settled down and had a smooth second and third innings in a Viera, Fla., instrasquad matchup. "The first inning wasn't good. I was leaving balls over the middle of the plate," Milone said. Milone ended up going three innings, allowed four hits, three runs, no walks and struck out three. Milone said he was able to control his pitches better following the rough first frame. "I was locating a lot...

Riggleman, Rizzo on expectations for 2011

Riggleman, Rizzo on expectations for 2011
What are the expectations for the Nationals in the eyes of manager Jim Riggleman and general manager Mike Rizzo? Would 75 wins be considered a good season? How about 80 victories? A playoff berth? A winning record? Rizzo was asked if he would be pleased with 80 wins on 106.7 The Fan's Mike Wise Show Thursday, and replied, "It depends on how we reach 80 wins." Rizzo said if the team struggles and then rallies to get to 80 wins he would be pleased. But if the team gets off to a great...

Pudge tutored Norris on catching the next level

Pudge tutored Norris on catching the next level
Nationals catcher Derek Norris is in Washington working out with the big league club before he embarks on his first season with Double-A Harrisburg. Norris is coming off a very good spring at the plate, and was able to work on his defense to the point where he feels confident in his setup behind the plate. That was the part of his game that he most wanted to solidify before the regular season began. Nationals veteran catcher Ivan Rodriguez says each catcher can take advice from several...

Prospect progress for Hague, Norris, Lombo, Oduber and Moore

Prospect progress for Hague, Norris, Lombo, Oduber and Moore
I have more positive updates on some of the offensive stars that are making noise in the accelerated camp. There are a bunch of guys who are making good progress and demanding the attention of the coaching staff. Nationals hitting instructor Rick Schu gave me details on a few of the players: Rick Hague, Tyler Moore, Stephen Lombardozzi, Randolph Oduber and Derek Norris. (Don't worry - this is not all-inclusive, more updates to come on prospects!) "Shortstop Rick Hague out of Rice is...

Updates on Solis, Milone and NatsFest

Updates on Solis, Milone and NatsFest
Nationals minor league pitcher

Prospects Harper and Taylor could patrol same outfield for Suns

Prospects Harper and Taylor could patrol same outfield for Suns
Nationals hitting coordinator Rick Schu gave me an update on how some of the young hitters are doing in the accelerated camp during spring training. We start with the biggest name in camp in Bryce Harper, who returned to the lineup Sunday and was able to smack a double and score a run early on in the game. Another prospect you may have not heard of is a converted shortstop Michael Taylor. Schu says Taylor has opened some eyes with a good showing throughout camp at his new position in...

Prospects Holder and Tatusko continue to refine skills

Prospects Holder and Tatusko continue to refine skills
Here are progress updates for a pair of right-handed pitchers, Trevor Holder and Ryan Tatusko. Holder split last season between Single-A Hagerstown and Single-A Potomac, going 7-6 with a 3.64 ERA in 26 starts. He struck out 102 batters and allowed 29 walks. The 24-year old would like to cut down on his home runs allowed, with 11 of 14 surrendered for the season coming in just 14 starts in Woodbridge, Va. He was 3-3 with a 4.09 ERA in Potomac. The University of Georgia product has had a...

Prospect Meyers pain-free again and ready for season

Prospect Meyers pain-free again and ready for season
Nationals right-handed pitching prospect Brad Meyers is finally injury-free again and ready to continue his trek towards the majors after dealing with a major foot problem all of last season. The 6-foot-6, 195-lb. hurler from Los Angeles, Calif., had a positive result in his most recent outing on Tuesday. Meyers threw four innings, allowed two runs, only one was earned on a solo homer, three hits, no walks and struck out five. He threw 58 pitches, 10 in the bullpen. His next scheduled start...

Scouting the Marlins: Who will replace Uggla's power?

Scouting the Marlins: Who will replace Uggla's power?
We continue our tour around the National League East as we stop in Miami. Tommy Hutton, a former major leaguer and current Marlins broadcaster who has been around baseball for 47 years, breaks down the 2011 Florida Marlins and what to expect. The biggest off season change was the trade of All-Star second baseman Dan Uggla to the Atlanta Braves. How does that alter the Marlins on offense? Will they have to make a similar adjustment to what the Nationals expect with the departure of slugger Adam...

Prospect Milone delivers best outing of spring

Prospect Milone delivers best outing of spring
Nationals left-handed pitcher Tom Milone has had a couple of outings since our last update, but he felt Tuesday was his best start of spring training. Milone went four innings, allowing three hits, no runs, no walks and striking out two batters. "It went good," Milone said. "It felt the best I have felt so far in camp. I had command on every pitch. My pitches were low in the zone. Everything felt pretty good." Milone says his off speed pitches were also hitting their spots "I had...

Source: Harper could be back on field within a week

Source: Harper could be back on field within a week
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo reported Tuesday on the status of Nationals outfield prospect Bryce Harper, who injured his ankle Monday running the bases. The diagnosis was a "medium" left ankle sprain. The return date was unclear and Harper has been listed as day-to-day. A minor league official with knowledge of the situation is more specific about Harper's possible return, saying the Nats' top prospect is, "doing okay and should be back in four or five days." That update...

Prospect Peacock adds two-seamer; updates progress

Prospect Peacock adds two-seamer; updates progress
Nationals right-handed pitcher Brad Peacock put in a lot of work in his most recent outing at accelerated camp as he tinkers with a new pitch. "It went alright," Peacock said. "The first guy I faced fouled off like 10 pitches. I am still working on some stuff." Peacock threw three innings this time, and expects to go four innings with a maximum 60 pitches on Wednesday. He'll be worked up to five innings and 75 pitches, which is standard for the starters. The Miami, Fla. native has...

Despite demotion, Kimball remains determined to reach Bigs this year

Despite demotion, Kimball remains determined to reach Bigs this year
Nationals right-handed reliever Cole Kimball was demoted to Triple-A Syracuse Thursday, but didn't let the move change the way he approaches each day. Some had written Kimball took the news hard, but 15 minutes after finding out he'd been sent down, he was back on the field stretching, following his normal time schedule at camp. Despite the move to the minor league camp, the numbers Kimball put up at the major league level were very impressive. Kimball appeared in six games, throwing eight...

Focus at minor league camp on pitching fundamentals

Focus at minor league camp on pitching fundamentals
Minor league camp is in full swing as they get into a daily game schedule similar to what the players will see in early April. The pitchers have focused on fundamentals from day one, but there is a precise term and action the coaching staff wants to see the guys do with every pitch. On the mound, the coaching staff wants the guys to concentrate on keeping the ball down in the zone. They do that by getting their pitchers to focus on the term "hollow of the knee." "All we really care about...

Nats "cautiously optimistic" as Meyers recovers from foot injury

Nats "cautiously optimistic" as Meyers recovers from foot injury
Nationals pitching prospect Brad Meyers, who was limited to just six starts last season due to a foot injury, continues to steadily work his way back each day of spring training in Viera, Fla. "He has responded very well to treatment," Nationals director of player development Doug Harris said. "He is taking regular repetitions. We are cautiously optimistic." Harris said the right-handed Meyers is recovering from a foot problem similar to what Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia went...

Prospects Leon and Freitas catching attention in minor league camp

Prospects Leon and Freitas catching attention in minor league camp
Nationals catching prospects Sandy Leon and David Freitas are getting their work in at the accelerated camp after completing very solid 2010 seasons, Leon with the Single-A Hagerstown Suns and Freitas with the Short-Season Single-A Vermont Lake Monsters. Leon made notable progress with Hagerstown in 2010, playing in 98 games and accruing 325 at-bats. Leon hit .249 with 10 doubles, six triples a pair of homers with 36 RBIs. Last week, his name came up when I spoke to Sammy Solis and he talked...

Prospect Ray "opening up eyes" with solid start

Prospect Ray "opening up eyes" with solid start
Nationals pitching prospect Robbie Ray had a solid first outing last week, tossing two innings, allowing no hits and no runs. The left-hander threw a light bullpen Saturday and expects to pitch again Tuesday, possibly extending to three innings. Ray was pleased with his first chance in a game. He worked in his three main pitches: fastball, changeup and slider. "I was feeling pretty good," the 19-year old Ray said. "My fastball was locating well, from 90 to 93 miles per hour. The fastball...

Cole fights through early jam in first outing, pleased with results

Cole fights through early jam in first outing, pleased with results
Nationals prospect A.J. Cole pitched for the first time at accelerated camp in a game versus Italy this week. The right-hander went one inning, allowing two walks, no hits and no runs on 18 pitches. Cole said it took him a few pitches to get going, but then he got into a rhythm. "At first, it was a little slow but it got a little bit better," Cole said. "I was the third pitcher in the seventh inning against Italy. They were pretty good hitters, they made contact every time. I got a ground...