Bostick and Simms shine again for Salt River in Arizona Fall League play

Bostick and Simms shine again for Salt River in Arizona Fall League play
Chris Bostick unleashed another outstanding game Tuesday as Salt River defeated Mesa 4-2 in Arizona Fall League play. The second baseman went 2-for-3 with a double, a homer, three runs scored and two RBIs. It was Bostick's fourth double and fourth homer of the AFL season. Bostick hit out of the No. 2 hole and cranked a solo shot in the third inning off of Mesa starter Rob Zastryzny. Bostick raised his average to .275. Right-hander John Simms started and went three innings for the win,...

Fedde has solid outing for Hagerstown, Hearn shows upside for Auburn

Fedde has solid outing for Hagerstown, Hearn shows upside for Auburn
Right-hander Erick Fedde has made a positive first step this season as he rebounds from Tommy John surgery. The 22-year-old UNLV product was the Nationals' first-round selection in 2014 and then immediately had the ligament replacement procedure. Although Fedde gave up six runs in his first low Single-A start on Aug. 11, he did quite well in his most recent outing, not allowing a run over 4 2/3 innings innings as Hagerstown lost to Hickory 3-2 in 11 innings. Fedde allowed only four hits and...

Reetz, 19, has "intangibles" to become one of the top catchers in Nats system

Reetz, 19, has "intangibles" to become one of the top catchers in Nats system
Catching prospect, 19-year-old Jakson Reetz, continues to gain experience at the professional level with the short-season Single-A Auburn Doubledays in the Nationals system. Auburn manager Gary Cathcart, who is also the Nationals coordinator of instruction, said Reetz truly is a baseball player who shows he has all the makeup to be a good one. Cathcart said Reetz just needs the repetition of game experience while playing at the top levels. Reetz, a 2014 third-round selection, has that baseball...

First-rounder Fedde promoted to low Single-A, makes initial start

First-rounder Fedde promoted to low Single-A, makes initial start
Right-hander Erick Fedde was promoted to the low Single-A Hagerstown Suns on Tuesday and started against Augusta. Fedde went 4 1/3 innings and allowed five hits and six runs. He had two walks and struck out three. The Suns lost the game 9-1. Early on, Fedde allowed two runs in the second. He hung in there until the fifth inning where the Green Jackets tallied seven runs. Fedde was responsible for four of those runs. He was tagged with the loss but gained valuable experience up a level. More...

18-year-old Dominican outfielder Victor Robles shining for Auburn

18-year-old Dominican outfielder Victor Robles shining for Auburn
A lot of buzz has been generated by the start for 18-year-old Dominican outfielder Victor Robles, who moved quickly from the Dominican Summer League Nats to the Gulf Coast League and is now playing for the short-season Single-A Auburn Doubledays. Robles has hit .342 in his last 10 games and is batting .363 overall in 44 minor league games. I checked in with Auburn manager Gary Cathcart on a recent road trip to spotlight the progress of Robles. Cathcart said Robles is impressing on all...

Nationals early camp prospect capsule: Jefry Rodriguez, Luis Reyes

Nationals early camp prospect capsule: Jefry Rodriguez, Luis Reyes
Here are some more previews of a couple of the Dominican pitchers that are on the early camp roster. Short-season Single-A Auburn manager Gary Cathcart, the Nationals' coordinator of instruction, had both of these prospects on his team last season. RHP Jefry Rodriguez 6-foot-5, 185 lbs. Age: 21 Birthplace: Haina, Dominican Republic Bats: Right Throws: Right 2014 club: Auburn, Hagerstown Rodriguez, a converted shortstop, has continued to improve the past two seasons. He put up some very good...

Nationals early camp prospect capsule: Reynaldo Lopez

Nationals early camp prospect capsule: Reynaldo Lopez
The early camp previews continue with one of our favorite offseason subjects - Nationals pitching prospect Reynaldo Lopez. RHP Reynaldo Lopez Height: 6-footWeight: 185 lbs. Bats: Right Throws: Right Age: 21 Born: San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic2014 clubs: Auburn, Hagerstown The 6-foot, 21-year-old starter from the Dominican Republic made a key mechanical adjustment at short-season Single-A Auburn that changed the momentum of his whole campaign when he returned to low Single-A...

Nationals early camp prospect capsule: Catchers

Nationals early camp prospect capsule: Catchers
The Nationals have another good group of backstops on the early camp roster: 26-year-old Cole Leonida, 19-year-old Jakson Reetz, 21-year-old Jorge Tillero and 21-year-old Raudy Read. Read played for short-season Single-A Auburn manager Gary Cathcart last season. Cathcart is also the coordinator for Instruction for the Nationals and is with these prospects in Florida during spring training. The early camp roster first game is March 12 at Houston. C Raudy Read 6-foot 170 lbs. Bats: Right Throws:...

Nationals early camp prospect capsule: Infielders

Nationals early camp prospect capsule: Infielders
Next, we look at some of the infield prospects on the Nationals early camp roster. The minor leaguers' first game is March 12 at Houston. Nationals coordinator of instruction Gary Cathcart, who also is the short-season Single-A Auburn Doubledays manager, had several of these players on his team last season and provides a preview. For more on the outfielders, click here. Part Two: Infielders 1B Jose Marmolejos Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 185 lbs. Bats: Left Throws: Left Age: 22 Born: Santo...

Nationals early camp prospect capsule: Outfielders

Nationals early camp prospect capsule: Outfielders
Nationals coordinator of instruction Gary Cathcart is working two camps a day at spring training - the early camp filled with prospects and the major league camp. During the regular season, Cathcart roves the minor league system working with players and coaching them up. In June, he will again manage the short-season Single-A Auburn Doubledays. Several of the players he had on that squad last season are on the early camp roster this season. In my next series of blogs, I will break down...

Triple-A Syracuse managerial vacancy still a work in progress

Triple-A Syracuse managerial vacancy still a work in progress
Handicapping the Nationals' minor league coaching staff selections for 2014 is fairly easy considering the organization's loyalty to its managers and coaches at each level over the years. None of these appointments have been officially announced yet, but likely will be solidified by the end of the year. There are openings at the top levels with managers needed at Double-A and Triple-A. Double-A Harrisburg manager Matt Lecroy has already been announced as the Nationals' new bullpen coach,...

Mooneyham and Johansen fall in debuts at higher levels

Mooneyham and Johansen fall in debuts at higher levels
Left-hander Brett Mooneyham had some control issues in his initial start for high Single-A Potomac. Mooneyham walked six batters in three innings, allowing five hits, six runs and one strikeout in taking a 6-2 loss against Winston-Salem on Thursday. He allowed a two-run shot in the first inning by Kevan Smith. It was only his fourth setback in 14 decisions this season. He had come in 10-3 in 17 starts with low Single-A Hagerstown, sporting a 1.94 ERA. These next few weeks will be a great...

Cathcart on outfielder Ballou: "Most pleasant surprise in the draft by far"

Cathcart on outfielder Ballou: "Most pleasant surprise in the draft by far"
Outfielder Isaac Ballou is having an outstanding season for the Auburn Doubledays of the New York-Penn League. The former Marshall star has excelled in 56 games, batting .284 through August 21. The 23-year-old Ballou has 11 doubles, one triple, two homers, seven stolen bases, 32 runs and 17 RBIs in 197 at-bats. Auburn manager Gary Cathcart said the 6-foot-2, 205-lb. Ballou has really gotten his attention through the first two months of the short-season. "Most pleasant surprise in the draft...

Cathcart on Voth's opponents: "Looked like they were swinging underwater"

Cathcart on Voth's opponents: "Looked like they were swinging underwater"
Right-hander Austin Voth has put together a very solid first year with short-season Single-A Auburn. This week he was rewarded with an invitation to join the low Single-A Hagerstown. He was called up the same day as teammate Jake Johansen. Voth has gone 2-0 with a 1.47 ERA in seven starts for the Doubledays. He has an impressive 42 strikeouts to only four walks in 30 2/3 innings. He began the season with the GCL Nats, so his combined numbers total is 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA in 35 2/3 innings, 46...

Cathcart on Johansen: "He has got everything he needs"

Cathcart on Johansen: "He has got everything he needs"
Right-hander Jake Johansen made exceptional progress this summer at short-season Single-A Auburn. Johansen was an astounding 1-1 with a 1.06 ERA in 10 starts for the Doubledays. He allowed no hits in five innings on Aug. 17, striking out six batters and walking just two. The Nationals' top selection from the 2013 draft performed so well, in fact, that he was promoted Tuesday to low Single-A Hagerstown. His first start for the Suns is Friday. How did Johansen do so well? Did his...

Rendon's ankle "fine" after hit-by-pitch; goes 3-for-4 with two doubles, RBI

Rendon's ankle "fine" after hit-by-pitch; goes 3-for-4 with two doubles, RBI
Nationals prospect Anthony Rendon had one of his best all-around games of his rehab stint Thursday, going 3-for-4 with three runs, two doubles and an RBI in short-season Single-A Auburn's 11-3 rout of the Staten Island Yankees. Rendon played third base until there were two outs in the bottom of the seventh, replaced by Khayyan Norfork. Rendon was hit by a pitch on his surgically repaired left ankle in Wednesday night's game, and left the contest early for precautionary reasons. Despite...

Rendon schedule heats up through weekend

Rendon schedule heats up through weekend
Nationals prospect Anthony Rendon's rehab from a fractured left ankle is gaining momentum, and this week will become a bigger test for the young third baseman to see how the injury reacts to sustained play in the field. Short-season Single-A Auburn manager Gary Cathcart confirmed that Rendon will play six innings tonight and Thursday morning at third base. He will be the designated hitter Friday. Then, on Saturday, Rendon is scheduled to play a full nine innings at third base for the first...

Early on, Nationals' 33rd-rounder McQuillan showing he could be "sleeper" of draft

Early on, Nationals' 33rd-rounder McQuillan showing he could be "sleeper" of draft
One of the younger prospects displaying his talent early is draft pick Mike McQuillan, a left-handed second baseman out of the University of Iowa, who is getting noticed for his nice start at short-season Single-A Auburn. McQuillan is hitting .293 with two doubles, two triples, one homer and five RBIs in 13 games for Auburn. Don't remember seeing McQuillan on the depth chart? McQuillan was selected in the 33rd round as pick No. 1,014. The Nationals selected only eight players after...

Rendon to start at third base tonight for Auburn

Rendon to start at third base tonight for Auburn
Nationals prospect Anthony Rendon will continue his rehab from a fractured left ankle and start at third base tonight for the short-season Single-A Auburn Doubledays. Doubledays manager Gary Cathcart said Rendon will also serve as the designated hitter for some games and have some days off. Rendon is expected to be with the Doubledays for at least one week, but it could be longer. With the GCL Nats, Rendon played three, five or seven innings as they slowly ramped him up. He never got more...

Auburn Doubledays release opening day roster

Auburn Doubledays release opening day roster
The short-season Single-A Auburn Doubledays have released their 29-man 2012 opening day roster. Most of the team was available Thursday for a workout and their mini-camp will continue through the weekend until they open Monday night at Batavia. Notable pitchers include 2007 Nationals sixth-round pick southpaw Jack McGeary, who is recovering from 2010 elbow surgery, and left-hander Bryan Harper, Bryce's older brother. The roster includes recently signed picks Tony Renda, Brandon Miller and...