Notes on Turner, Hague, Keyes, Desmond, Jordan and Wooten

Notes on Turner, Hague, Keyes, Desmond, Jordan and Wooten
Ricky Hague had a smashing debut for Triple-A Syracuse with a three-run homer in the Chiefs' 8-1 dispatch of Toledo. It was Hague's first homer since June 27, 2014 while with Double-A Harrisburg. He finished 2-for-4 with two runs and three RBIs in his Triple-A debut. Kevin Keyes also debuted with an RBI double in his first at-bat. He also went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Taylor Jordan had a nice bounce back performance extending to seven innings, allowing five hits, no runs, no...

Harrisburg's solid lineup one reason for quick start

Harrisburg's solid lineup one reason for quick start
The Double-A Harrisburg Senators dropped Bowie 6-1 Saturday behind big hits from Rick Hague and Steven Souza, Jr., and a spectacular one-two punch on the mound by Paul Demny and Trevor Holder. Destin Hood smacked his first double of the season and Souza crushed his first homer to get the scoring going. Demny went five innings for the win and Holder an amazing four innings for the save. Justin Bloxom had an RBI double and Hague a two-run single. Demny struck out six and allowed just two hits...

Nationals set instructional league roster and schedule

Nationals set instructional league roster and schedule
The Nationals have set their roster for instructional league competition, which will originate from their Viera, Fla., training facility, and begins this weekend. The report date is Sept. 14 with the first workout set for Sept. 15. The first game on the 14-game schedule is Sept. 22 on the road against the Mets. The last game is Oct. 10 against the Astros. As we first reported, third baseman Matt Skole and right-hander Aaron Barrett will begin their offseason in Florida and then leave for...

Prospect Ricky Hague's shoulder "feels great"

Prospect Ricky Hague's shoulder "feels great"
High Single-A Potomac Nationals shortstop Ricky Hague is putting together a full season after missing most of last year with a shoulder injury. Hague has worked very hard to strengthen the shoulder and game repetition has helped him maintain his range of motion. "The shoulder feels great," Hague said recently. "It has given me no problems. It feels strong. No pain at all." Hague has also learned that playing 92 games so far in a season is the true test every baseball player at the...

Hague finally returns to Potomac Nationals

Hague finally returns to Potomac Nationals
The Nationals have activated shortstop Rick Hague to Single-A Potomac's roster. The 6-foot-2, 190 lb., infielder missed over a year with dislocated shoulder suffered in the first week of last season. Hague went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles, scored a run and had two strikeouts in his first game back in Woodbridge, Va., since April 2011. When healthy, Hague is considered one of the top infielders in the system and was one of the top choices to accelerate through the system quickly before...

Prospect Rendon injured during Potomac's 7-2 loss at Lynchburg (updated)

Prospect Rendon injured during Potomac's 7-2 loss at Lynchburg (updated)
Anthony Rendon, the Nationals' No. 6 overall selection in June's draft, suffered an injury rounding third base in the fourth inning of high Single-A Potomac's 7-2 loss to Lynchburg at City Stadium on Saturday night. Rendon was removed from the game. According to a club source, Rendon suffered a lower leg injury. Rendon had doubled and was trying to score on a bloop single by Justin Bloxom. The severity of the injury is unknown at this time. Rendon had recovered from setbacks during his...

Purke, Ray and Hague will begin season in extended spring training

Purke, Ray and Hague will begin season in extended spring training
A quick note I just received on some top prospects for the Nationals who will begin the season in extended spring training in Viera, Fla., as they worked to get healthy and/or build strength. Shortstop Rick Hague, who missed most of last season, continues rehabbing and gaining strength back in his shoulder while working in Florida. He is about a month away from playing time in the system. Pitchers Matt Purke and Robbie Ray will also begin the season in Florida at extended spring training....

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...

Rendon poised for first spring training with Nationals

Rendon poised for first spring training with Nationals
Anthony Rendon made national headlines during his career as a power-hitting third baseman at Rice University. Rendon was expected by many to be the No. 1 overall selection in June's draft, yet his stock dropped because of injury concerns. The Nationals grabbed Rendon with the sixth pick and felt they got a steal. Many baseball authorities agreed. Baseball America Jim Callis called the the haul of Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper and Rendon as the best three-year run he had ever seen....

Nationals believe Rendon is good enough to start career with Potomac

Nationals believe Rendon is good enough to start career with Potomac
With the trade of four top prospects, the Nationals still have Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon at the top of their list of the best offensive talent in the organization. Harper proved he could hit and hold his own defensively in his debut season with Single-A Hagerstown, Double-A Harrisburg and a second consecutive stint in the Arizona Fall League. Rendon, the team's first-round pick in the June draft, comes to the Nationals with impressive credentials and was considered for a long period of...

Potomac's Hague done for season, shoulder surgery today

Potomac's Hague done for season, shoulder surgery today
Single-A Potomac Nationals shortstop Rick Hague is done for the season with a shoulder injury suffered in early April. Hague has been attempting to rehabilitate the shoulder for two months in extended spring training. Hague told Will Flemming on P-Nats' radio that the shoulder "keeps popping out," so he will have surgery today. The former Rice University standout played two seasons alongside Nationals first-round selection Anthony Rendon. Hague batted .357 in four games, going 5-for-14...

Prospect Hague has "good throwing day" in Florida

Prospect Hague has "good throwing day" in Florida
Single-A Potomac Nationals shortstop Rick Hague played in only four games this season before going down with a shoulder injury. The Nationals have high hopes for the young Rice University product, but want to be careful with his shoulder before they return him to Woodbridge, Va. Hague is currently in Viera, Fla., rehabbing during extended spring training. Nationals infield coordinator Jeff Garber updated Hague's status with some positive news. Garber said Tuesday was a "good throwing day"...

Injury updates on Hague and Norris

Injury updates on Hague and Norris
A quick update on Potomac Nationals shortstop Rick Hague, who was injured last week sliding into second base. Hague suffered a slight labrum tear in his right shoulder and had been placed on the seven-day disabled list. A team official expects it to be a 10-day recovery period for Hague. After recovery, he would most likely head to Florida to get some at-bats at the minor league camp before returning to Potomac, but nothing is imminent for Hague at this time. Harrisburg Senators catcher...

Hague injured during P-Nats game

Hague injured during P-Nats game
Single-A Potomac Nationals shortstop Rick Hague suffered a right shoulder injury Wednesday night against the Winston-Salem Dash. Hague hurt his shoulder on a headfirst slide into second base. No details as to the extent of the injury, but as soon as I know, I will pass along to you. Hague is batting .357 in four games with one homer and four RBIs. The P-Nats split their doubleheader with the Dash and their record now stands at 2-3.

Prospect Hague shortens swing to success

Prospect Hague shortens swing to success
Potomac Nationals shortstop Rick Hague crushed a 10th-inning, walk-off double to lift the P-Nats to a dramatic, 7-6 victory over the Lynchburg Hillcats Sunday. It marked the first win of the season for the defending Mills Cup champions and involved big plays from Eury Perez, Destin Hood, Cutter Dykstra Stephen King, Brian Peacock, Jeff Kobernus and Steven Souza. The Rice University product from Spring, Texas, says the work the team did in Florida is showing off even this early in the...

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...