Nats keep most minor league staff, change several hitting coaches

The Nationals’ minor-league coaching staffs are mostly unchanged for the 2024 season, with one notable exception: They’ve overhauled much of their hitting staff.

The organization announced its full player development staff this afternoon, five days before pitchers and catchers officially report for spring training. Though there was a change at the top of the depth chart – former director of scouting operations Eddie Longosz replaced De Jon Watson, who was let go after two seasons leading the department – most of the coaches and trainers are returning to their same roles.

That includes the managers of all six minor league affiliates: Matt LeCroy (Triple-A Rochester), Delino DeShields (Double-A Harrisburg), Mario Lisson (High-A Wilmington), Jake Lowery (Single-A Fredericksburg), Luis Ordaz (Florida Complex League) and Sandy Martinez (Dominican Summer League).

Most of the pitching coaches return, as well: Rafael Chaves (Triple-A), Mark DeFelice (High-A), Justin Lord (Single-A) and Franklin Bravo (FCL). Rigo Beltran, formerly the Guardians’ bullpen coach, replaces Joel Hanrahan as Double-A pitching coach (though Hanrahan is staying with the Nats as rehab pitching coordinator). Feliberto Sanchez is the new pitching coach in the Dominican Summer League.

All development coaches also return this season: Billy McMillon (Triple-A), Oscar Salazar (Double-A), Mark Harris (High-A), Carmelo Jaime (Single-A) and Destin Hood (FCL).

Nats announce new minor league player development staff (updated)

Nats announce new minor league player development staff (updated)
The Nationals announced their 2022 minor league player development staff on Tuesday, with 14 new roles and more than 20 new members. This completes the process this offseason of completely revamping the department as the Nationals focus more on the growth of their minor league players during the first year of what is hoped to be a quick rebuild. General manager Mike Rizzo hinted at these changes coming to the organization during his press conference on the last day of the regular season. "We...

Henley, Knorr won't return to MLB staff, will remain with Nats

Henley, Knorr won't return to MLB staff, will remain with Nats
Longtime Nationals coaches Bob Henley and Randy Knorr will not return to the major league staff next season, though both will remain in the organization in player development roles, a source familiar with the changes confirmed. Henley, the club's third base coach for seven of the last eight seasons, and Knorr, the club's first base coach this season after previous stints as bench coach and bullpen coach, are the only members of manager Davey Martinez's staff who weren't invited to return to...

Soto returns to lineup, coaches return to Nats dugout

Soto returns to lineup, coaches return to Nats dugout
Juan Soto is back in the Nationals lineup, his right knee feeling better five days after he tweaked it running the bases. Soto, who was held out of the lineup for the Nats' entire weekend series in Atlanta, was cleared to return to full-time duties tonight for the opener of a three-game series in New York. "I talked to him; he felt pretty good," manager Davey Martinez said during his pregame Zoom session with reporters. "He felt like he could play today. He went through his routine. He's...

Full coaching staff set to return at last tonight in New York

Full coaching staff set to return at last tonight in New York
As much as the Nationals roster has undergone massive changes in the last two weeks, let's not forget what happened to manager Davey Martinez's coaching staff as well. Just one day before the frenzied 36-hour stretch that saw eight veteran players traded away for 12 prospects, the Nats learned five of their big league coaches, plus four other staff members, had tested positive for COVID-19. With pitching coach Jim Hickey, bench coach Tim Bogar, first base coach Randy Knorr, third base coach...

Knorr returns to staff as Nats finalize coaching changes

Knorr returns to staff as Nats finalize coaching changes
The Nationals finalized their 2021 coaching staff today, filling the one vacancy that hadn't yet been publicly announced with one of the longest-tenured members of their organization. Randy Knorr, who has been a player, coach or minor league manager with the Nats franchise since 2001 in Montreal, will join the big league staff for the fourth time in the last decade-plus, serving as first base coach for the first time. Bob Henley, after a one-year stint at first base, will move back to the...

Noll on late-season time with the Nats: "It's a great opportunity"

Noll on late-season time with the Nats: "It's a great opportunity"
Utility infielder Jake Noll was called up mid-September and got to play in seven games with the Nationals. As he had done all season long at the alternate training site, he continued to swing the bat well. From Sept. 15-27, Noll hit .353 (6-for-17) with one double, two runs scored and just four strikeouts. "It's a great opportunity," Noll said during the last weekend of the regular season. "I've been waiting for this chance to prove myself and prove I belong all year. I'm happy to be here...

Noll catching on in return to the Nats

Noll catching on in return to the Nats
It has been a very good return to the Nationals for Jake Noll this week. So far, he has gone 2-for-3 with a pair of singles against Tampa Bay as a pinch-hitter and designated hitter. Triple-A Fresno manager Randy Knorr, one of the many coaches working with players at the Nats' alternate training site, told manager Davey Martinez that Noll was improving a lot over the past two months on offense and defense. But what really got Martinez's attention was when Knorr spoke about how Noll was...

For Hernández, difficult journey to majors was worth it

For Hernández, difficult journey to majors was worth it
Baseball clubs sign 29-year-old Cuban defectors with the intention of playing them in the major leagues as soon as possible. The Nationals, though, knew they weren't getting a sure thing when they signed Yadiel Hernández four years ago for the relatively benign sum of $200,000. The Nats liked the outfielder's left-handed swing and hoped he might make it someday. But they weren't touting him to be an immediate contributor the way other Cuban players who received millions of dollars were...

At 32, Yadiel Hernández finally gets a shot in the major leagues

At 32, Yadiel Hernández finally gets a shot in the major leagues
For the first time in his career, outfielder Yadiel Hernández has been promoted to the big leagues. With a roster spot open due to the hamstring injury suffered by Howie Kendrick that landed him on the injured list, the Nationals announced they had purchased the contract of the 32-year-old Cuban-born outfielder. Hernández joined the Nats on Oct. 1, 2016. From 2009-14, he played for Cocodrilos de Matanzas of the Cuban Baseball Federation, joining the league at the age of 21. He also has...

Nationals coaches boast more than 4,600 big league games of catching experience

Nationals coaches boast more than 4,600 big league games of catching experience
It is a baseball development fact that catchers make good coaches. They are the coordinators behind the plate, they call the plays for the defense, they run the game for the pitcher. Backstops are truly the beginning and the last line of defense in every game, plus they can also contribute on offense. There's a tremendous amount of responsibility on the shoulders of a big league catcher. So from their first days in pro baseball, they must know the game inside and out. The Nationals coaching...

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...

Triple-A Syracuse 2018 roster released

Triple-A Syracuse 2018 roster released
The Nationals have announced the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs roster for the 2018 season. It will be the Nats' final season in Syracuse, though it is not known where their Triple-A affiliate will be located next season. Syracuse opens its season tonight at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Randy Knorr is the manager. The pitching coach is Brad Holman and the hitting coach is Brian Daubach. Top prospect Victor Robles is in the outfield. Erick Fedde and Austin L. Adams, who are on the Nats' 40-man roster, are...

Knorr returns to the dugout after a two-year break

Knorr returns to the dugout after a two-year break
A change of managers at the Triple-A level may not sound like a big deal. And from a pure baseball standpoint, it's probably not. Still, the news that Randy Knorr will be managing the Nationals' top minor league affiliate - news that had been reported 2 1/2 months ago but was officially announced by the club on Friday - is significant for many people within the organization. An organization that doesn't have very many remaining links to its pre-Washington days has an especially popular one...

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...

Nats begin contacting candidates, hoping for quick search

Nats begin contacting candidates, hoping for quick search
The Nationals have begun the search for a new manager, and they would prefer that search be a quick one. After informing Dusty Baker on Friday morning he wouldn't be retained despite division titles in each of his two seasons in Washington, the Nationals began to compile a list of potential candidates to replace the popular former skipper. They're now beginning the process of zeroing in on a handful of top candidates from that list and beginning to reach out to some for a first round of...

Nats' entire minor league coaching staff returns for 2017

Nats' entire minor league coaching staff returns for 2017
The Nationals announced there were no major adjustments to their minor league coaching staff for 2017, with each level retaining the same coaches as they had in 2016. The exception was strength and conditioning, where a number of coaches were promoted or assigned more responsibility. Mike Warren was named strength and conditioning coach at Triple-A Syracuse. Brett Henry was promoted from Syracuse to the major league strength and conditioning staff. Tony Rogowski was promoted from Double-A...

Having fun and in first place, Desmond fondly remembers Washington

Having fun and in first place, Desmond fondly remembers Washington
BALTIMORE - When Ian Desmond looks up into the center field bleachers at Camden Yards for the next three days, he's going to see something a little odd for a series between the Rangers and Orioles: curly W Nationals caps here and there, maybe a few bright, white No. 20 jerseys with his name stitched in red across the back. Ever since Desmond signed a one-year, $8 million deal with the Rangers in late February, savvy Nats fans have had this series circled on their calendars because it gives...

Nationals finalize minor league staff for 2016

Nationals finalize minor league staff for 2016
The Nationals officially released their minor league coaching staffs and coordinators for 2016 this afternoon, with former bench coach Randy Knorr named senior adviser to general manager Mike Rizzo. Knorr had been the bench coach the past four seasons and is highly regarded in the organization, since he also managed in the system from 2005-2011. Remaining on staff was Brian Daubach, who moves to hitting coach at Triple-A Syracuse. He was the Double-A Harrisburg manager last season. Matt LeCroy,...

Knorr, LeCroy and Henley stay with Nationals in new roles, Daubach promoted

Knorr, LeCroy and Henley stay with Nationals in new roles, Daubach promoted
The Nationals announced Monday that three of the coaches that did not have their contracts renewed with the major league club will stay in the organization in different roles. Former bench coach Randy Knorr assumes the position of senior assistant to the general manager, player development. Knorr brings a wealth of knowledge and minor league managerial and coaching experience with the Nationals to the position, which will be critical to maintaining cohesion within the system. Knorr managed the...