Updates on catchers Pineda and Reetz

Updates on catchers Pineda and Reetz
Here are updates on a couple of backstops the Nationals have high hopes for heading into 2021. Assistant general manager of player development Mark Scialabba said Israel Pineda has gotten a lot of notice for his power stroke, while 2014 third-round selection Jakson Reetz showed solid progress in 2019 and into the alternate training site this summer. Israel Pineda, 20 5-foot-11, 190 lbs.Bats: Right Throws: Right Maracay, VZ Signed: July 2, 2016 2018 mid-season All-Star in short-season Single-A...

Brzykcy brings 100 mph fastball to future Nats bullpen

Brzykcy brings 100 mph fastball to future Nats bullpen
The Nationals confirmed Wednesday that they have agreed to terms with nine undrafted free agents, including Virginia Tech right-handed fireballer Zach Brzykcy. The others agreeing to deals with the Nats were catcher Ray Torres IV, infielders Quade Tomlin, Gio Diaz and Brian Klein, right-hander Edward Ureña, outfielders Zach Cornell and Landon Dieterich, and slugging first baseman Jackson Coutts. Brzykcy springboarded into his junior season in Blacksburg, Va., with outstanding work as a...

Updates on Nats pitching prospects Denaburg and Parker

Updates on Nats pitching prospects Denaburg and Parker
More on Nationals pitching prospects from undrafted free agent Ray Torres IV. The catcher agreed to a deal with the Nats last week out of San Jacinto College North. Torres played for the Central Florida Gators, an elite travel team that included several top selections in the 2018 First-Year Player Draft. The Gators boast two national titles and 49 college commitments. One of the pitchers he caught was the Nationals' top 2018 selection, Mason Denaburg. In 2018, Central Florida had 13 players...

Torres felt "natural knack for catching" early on

Torres felt "natural knack for catching" early on
Last week, we had San Jacinto College North baseball coach Tom Arrington preview catcher Ray Torres IV, who has reportedly agreed to join the Nationals organization as an undrafted free agent. Torres got the call from the Nats after the draft and agreed to terms, forgoing a scholarship offer to LSU. He told me he was ready to go pro after high school last year, but opted instead to get better and hone his skills at San Jacinto this past season. The 20-year-old Torres is now back home in...

College coach on Torres: "One of the best we've had"

College coach on Torres: "One of the best we've had"
The Nationals went true to their nature in the First-Year Player Draft and in agreeing to deals afterward with undrafted free agents in their focus on stockpiling or restocking pitchers and catchers. The Nats drafted four pitchers in the first five rounds, including their first-round pick, right-hander Cade Cavalli, and their fifth-round selection, left-hander Mitchell Parker. Right-hander Cole Henry was taken in the second round, but is really a first-round talent. Right-handed closer Holden...