Lee's summer work paying off in instructional league

Lee's summer work paying off in instructional league
"Bring it on!" That's how left-handed pitcher Evan Lee greeted me as we started to talk about his baseball summer during Nationals fall instructional league workouts and games in West Palm Beach, Fla., this month. You can tell by that reaction that Lee brings that same attitude to the mound when handed the ball for the Nats. Lee, 23, is currently pitching for the Nats in their scrimmages against the Marlins, continuing preparations for a hopefully uninterrupted 2021 season. The southpaw, who...

Denaburg on his right shoulder recovery: "I feel like myself again"

Denaburg on his right shoulder recovery: "I feel like myself again"
Nationals 2018 first-round selection Mason Denaburg told me his recovery from a right shoulder cleanout last October is progressing nicely. After the Nats decided to take a precautionary step of slowing down his rehab during spring training, the right-hander is now doing so well that he is about to take that next step in his rehab throwing program. "I should be throwing bullpens in the next three weeks," Denaburg said. "I go 150 feet throwing-wise, the next week 180 feet and then the week...

Nats announce 2019 minor league staff

Nats announce 2019 minor league staff
Randy Knorr has been named the manager of the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies, highlighting the announcement of the Nationals' 2019 minor league staff. The former major league catcher, and longtime mainstay as a coach at every level for several seasons for the Nats, becomes the 11th manager in Grizzlies history. The 2019 campaign marks his third season as skipper of the Nats' Triple-A affiliate. Brian Daubach is the hitting coach and Brad Holman will be the pitching coach, the same coaching staff...

Nats announce minor league staff, Knorr to manage Syracuse

Nats announce minor league staff, Knorr to manage Syracuse
The Nationals have announced their minor league staff for 2018, highlighted by the return of Randy Knorr to the dugout as manager of the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs, a post he last held in 2011. The past two seasons Knorr was the senior advisor to Mike Rizzo. Matt LeCroy remains as Double-A Harrisburg manager and Tripp Keister continues as skipper for high Single-A Potomac. Patrick Anderson holds down the fort again as manager of the low Single-A Hagerstown Suns. Former Syracuse manager Billy...

Spin Williams honored with Mike Coolbaugh Award

Spin Williams honored with Mike Coolbaugh Award
Many times over the years, if you were attending a Nationals minor league game, you would have a good chance of seeing Donald "Spin" Williams there. Williams, the Nationals' senior advisor for player development, has been a part of the organization for 11 seasons and is beginning his 39th season in professional baseball. Today, Williams was honored by Minor League Baseball as the recipient of the ninth annual Mike Coolbaugh Award. The award was created in 2008 to honor the late Mike...

Former Nats starter J.D. Martin is back, this time as a knuckleball pitcher

Former Nats starter J.D. Martin is back, this time as a knuckleball pitcher
Right-hander J.D. Martin had relished the taste of the majors with the Nationals in 2009 and 2010. But since then, he has not been able to make it back to the big leagues. Since his release from the Nats in 2011, Martin has made stops with the Marlins, Rays, Korea and the White Sox. Back in 2011, then Nationals pitching coordinator (currently senior advisor, player development) Spin Williams suggested that Martin try to incorporate the knuckleball pitch. Martin did well with it off the mound...

Gott, Perez and Kelley eager to pitch in alongside highly regarded Nationals staff

Gott, Perez and Kelley eager to pitch in alongside highly regarded Nationals staff
The Nationals' three newest pitching acquisitions met with the media Sunday at Winterfest. Right-handed reliever Trevor Gott, 23, arrives from the Los Angeles Angels. Gott pitched in 48 games last season for the Angels with a 4-2 record and 3.02 ERA. Gott was thrilled to get the call that he was heading east, closer to his native Lexington, Kentucky. "I was excited. I think it'll be a good opportunity for me," Gott said. "Obviously, the Angels did a lot for my career and gave me the...

Menhart views early camp pitching roster as most talented in his 10 years with Nats

Menhart views early camp pitching roster as most talented in his 10 years with Nats
Nationals minor league pitching coordinator Paul Menhart is well into his new season with the club, and with a new title. He is taking over the title from Spin Williams, who moved on to new responsibilities as the Nationals senior baseball advisor. Menhart has worked his way up with the Nationals as a critical pitching coach from Single-A Hagerstown to Triple-A Syracuse, and has coached the likes of Stephen Strasburg, Tanner Roark, Taylor Jordan, Blake Treinen, Aaron Barrett and many...

More on Nats minor league coaching additions; P-Nats Hot Stove banquet adds Giolito

More on Nats minor league coaching additions; P-Nats Hot Stove banquet adds Giolito
Here are quotes from Nationals assistant general manager and vice president of player development and pro scouting Doug Harris on the recent additions to the minor league coaching staff: On minor league pitching coordinator Paul Menhart: "Menhart's really done a terrific job. He's earned his stripes at every level. He's an excellent teacher. Mechanically he does a terrific job in developing deliveries, developing specific pitches as well as the mental side of the game. We felt like he was...

P-Nats' Mooneyham irons out mechanical issue, is confident to start 2014

P-Nats' Mooneyham irons out mechanical issue, is confident to start 2014
WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Left-hander Brett Mooneyham cruised to an outstanding start last season for low Single-A Hagerstown. But when he got called up to high Single-A Potomac late in the season, he struggled a bit with his mechanics. With the Suns, Mooneyham was 10-3 with a 1.94 ERA in 17 starts with 79 strikeouts in 93 innings, and 41 walks. For the P-Nats, the 6-foot-5, 235-lb., Stanford product went 0-3 with a 13.50 ERA in three starts over 11 1/3 innings with only six strikeouts and 13...

Nats No. 1 prospect: Lucas Giolito

Nats No. 1 prospect: Lucas Giolito
Drum roll please, it's time to announce Baseball America's No. 1 Nats prospect. It is, of course, 19-year-old right-hander Lucas Giolito, which comes as no surprise. Giolito rebounded from Tommy John surgery to post solid numbers in his first true pro season within the Nationals organization. In eight games with Rookie-level Gulf Coast Nationals and three starts at short-season Single-A Auburn, Giolito went 2-1 with a 1.96 ERA in 11 starts. In 36 2/3 innings, Giolito struck out 39...

Pitching prospect Mirowski building confidence in three pitches in Arizona

Pitching prospect Mirowski building confidence in three pitches in Arizona
One of the biggest reasons why right-hander Richie Mirowski is pitching in Arizona Fall League now is a spring training introduction. Nationals pitching coordinator Spin Williams liked what he was seeing from the 24-year-old Mirowski and knew he was close to making a big step. Williams introduced Mirowski to Double-A pitching coach Paul Menhart to help with some fine-tuning on his most important pitch. "In spring, Spin Williams introduced me to Paul Menhart," Mirowski said. "(Williams)...

Spin Williams believes Roark can challenge for starting spot

Spin Williams believes Roark can challenge for starting spot
Right-hander Tanner Roark made a big splash with the Nationals at the end of the season, and put himself in a good position to contend for starting spot next year. Question is, is he ready for the long haul? Can he be the fifth starter for the Nationals in 2014? Nationals pitching coordinator Spin Williams believes Roark would make an excellent choice. "Oh, absolutely," Williams said. "I think he showed you that the last two months of the season. He finally believes in himself. He attacks...

Spin Williams: A.J. Cole has grown by "leaps and bounds"

Spin Williams: A.J. Cole has grown by "leaps and bounds"
Right-hander A.J. Cole wrapped up his 2013 season at fall instructional league in Viera, Fla. It was the culmination of his first full season back with the Nationals after spending last season in the A's organization. In 2012, Cole went from high Single-A to low Single-A in the Oakland system. In 2013, Cole jumped from high Single-A to Double-A in the Nationals system. In his final seven starts of the season with Double-A Harrisburg, Cole went 4-2 with a 2.18 ERA and 49 strikeouts. He had...

Suero a part of new wave of Dominican pitchers making impact in Nationals system

Suero a part of new wave of Dominican pitchers making impact in Nationals system
There is a new wave of talent starting to gain momentum in the Nationals organization. That wave of talent is emanating from the Dominican Republic Academy the Nationals established a few years back, led by administrator Fausto Severino. I would not be surprised to see several of these Dominican pitchers work their way up through the minor league ranks of the Nationals system beginning next season. This confidence stems from how good these pitchers were with the rookie-level Gulf Coast...

What a difference a year's made for Nationals' Zach Duke

What a difference a year's made for Nationals' Zach Duke
It was about this time last season everything changed for Zach Duke. Last season, he struggled in Houston Astros camp and was eventually released. Two days later, he was picked up by the Nationals. After battling to regain his consistency and break on his best pitches, he worked his way back to the majors. Oh, he did work all right. Duke went 15-5 with a 3.51 ERA at Triple-A Syracuse. The left-hander made 26 starts, and had two complete games and a shutout over 164 1/3 innings. He had 91...

Nationals adjust Meyer's delivery during instructional league work

Nationals adjust Meyer's delivery during instructional league work
University of Kentucky pitcher Alex Meyer had an excellent instructional league camp with the Nationals in Viera, Fla., and now prepares for his first professional season. The 6-foot-9, 220-lb., right-hander struck out 110 hitters in 101 innings last season with the Wildcats, and features what the Nationals call three plus pitches: a fastball, slider and change up. Nationals director of player development Doug Harris said the 23rd overall selection in June's draft did not have too much...

Nationals' instructional league roster: Pitchers

Nationals' instructional league roster: Pitchers
The Nationals are preparing their prospects for the instructional league schedule, which will begin Sept. 23 at home in Viera, Fla., against Atlanta. Report date is Sept. 16 and the first workout is Sept. 17. Each day of the current road trip we will focus on the roster and today our focus is on the pitchers. Here is the list of the 24 pitchers expected on the roster: Name (Age) Position Gregori Baez (19) LHP A.J. Cole (19) RHS Paul Demny (22) RHS Brian Dupra (22) RHS Pedro...

Gorzelanny to make rehab start tonight in Syracuse

Gorzelanny to make rehab start tonight in Syracuse
Nationals left-hander Tom Gorzelanny is scheduled to make a injury rehabilitation start tonight with the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs, playing a 7 p.m. game against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees at Alliance Bank Stadium in Syracuse. Gorzelanny went through bullpen sessions and simulated at-bats with Nationals pitching coordinator Spin Williams last week in Woodbridge, Va., at Pfitzner Stadium. Williams said Gorzelanny looked very good in those outings and deemed him ready to go for tonight's...

Wang could be close to making first rehab start

Wang could be close to making first rehab start
Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg talked about the positive impression right-handed pitcher Chien-Ming Wang made on him as they both worked out in Viera, Fla., last month. Strasburg said Wang gave him advice on rehabilitating from injuries and what it takes to get better but not push it when you are anxious or frustrated. Wang should know. His recovery from a football-like shoulder injury has been long and strenuous. But it appears the light at the end of the tunnel may be approaching...