Prospects for Bud Black's coaching staff

Prospects for Bud Black's coaching staff
The reaction to Bud Black beating out Dusty Baker for the Nationals managerial job might have caused some head scratching at first. After all, the former managed the Padres - his only gig as a big league skipper - to a less-than-flattering 649-713 record over 8 1/2 years without tasting one sip of playoff-clinching champagne, while the latter took three different teams to the playoffs, reaching the World Series with the Giants in 2002. The immediate feeling on Black is understandable. Why...

Derek Norris looks back at time with Nats as important to his MLB development

Derek Norris looks back at time with Nats as important to his MLB development
The Nationals are taking on the Padres this week and there has been talk about rookies Trea Turner and Joe Ross playing for the first time against the team that drafted them. But San Diego also has a starting catcher/first baseman in Derek Norris who began his career in the Nationals system and was drafted by the team in 2007 as a fourth-round selection. Norris played five seasons (2007-2011) in the Nationals organization, reaching Double-A Harrisburg, before being traded to the Oakland A's in...

Nationals will retain entire coaching staff for 2015

Nationals will retain entire coaching staff for 2015
A day after Matt Williams won National League Manager of the Year honors, the Nationals announced that they will welcome back his entire coaching staff from the 2014 season. All seven members of the Nats coaching staff - bench coach Randy Knorr, pitching coach Steve McCatty, hitting coach Rick Schu, third base coach Bobby Henley, first base coach Tony Tarasco, bullpen coach Matt LeCroy and defensive coordinator/advance coach Mark Weidemaier - will be back in 2015. This marks the first time...

Tony Tarasco on outfielder Michael Taylor: "The kid's a specimen"

Tony Tarasco on outfielder Michael Taylor: "The kid's a specimen"
It was September 2010 and the Nationals had decided to move Michael Taylor from shortstop to the outfield. The decision was made and presented to Taylor prior to instructional league workouts. Tony Tarasco, currently the Nationals' first base coach, was then the outfield coordinator for the organization. "We told (Taylor) we thought it was a better place for him to shine and take advantage of his athleticism," Tarasco recalled. "Thought he would grow a lot quicker. He didn't take it too...

Tarasco says line drives will be Zimmerman's biggest adjustment in left

Tarasco says line drives will be Zimmerman's biggest adjustment in left
As third baseman Ryan Zimmerman's move to left field becomes the big story at Nationals Park, the team's outfield coach, Tony Tarasco, says the toughest outfield to play in the National League are in San Francisco and Chicago's Wrigley Field. "Both cities are windy, and that's what makes their the ballpark outfields so tough to play,'' Tarasco says. After the Phillies' series in D.C., Zimmerman, who hasn't played since April 12 because of a thumb injury, will get his chance to play...

Williams, Tarasco on Nats giving Walters first career start in outfield

Williams, Tarasco on Nats giving Walters first career start in outfield
In a perfect world, the Nationals would have Bryce Harper in left and Adam LaRoche at first tonight in Oakland. Instead, Zach Walters gets his first start of the season at a position he has never played in the major leagues, and only once patrolled in 465 minor league contests. Walters will man left field for the Nats tonight rather than shortstop or third base, where he has played exclusively in the majors over the last two seasons. "We just have a need, especially against Sonny (Gray) with...

Souza showing hitting and speed ability early in Arizona play

Souza showing hitting and speed ability early in Arizona play
Outfielder Stephen Souza Jr. is excited to be able to continue his season playing in the Arizona Fall League, even if it is only two games a week. Souza is on Mesa's taxi squad, which means he is eligible to play Wednesday and Saturday each week for the Solar Sox. Souza's first week went so well he was nominated for Player of the Week even though he played in just two games and everyone else had the opportunity to play in at least six contests. "It is going great," Souza said of his...

Hearing from Haren, Span and more

Hearing from Haren, Span and more
Dan Haren put up his best start as a National this afternoon, allowing just two runs over six innings in the Nationals' 6-3 win over the Reds. With his patented brutally honest perspective, however, Haren couldn't help but take a jab at himself when discussing his outing with reporters after the game. "It sucks it's taken so long to have a good outing, but I finally feel like part of the team," Haren said. "I've got to be like this or better the rest of the year. There's no excuse for...

For first base coach Tarasco, focus on preparation leads to new opportunity

For first base coach Tarasco, focus on preparation leads to new opportunity
VIERA, Fla. - Perhaps no role on a coaching staff is more misunderstood than that of the first base coach. New Nationals first base coach Tony Tarasco knows this. He realizes fans see him point a runner toward second base on a sure-fire double down the line, or grab the batting gloves from a player who has just drawn a walk, and think he has the cushiest job on the diamond. Tarasco, in his first season on Davey Johnson's staff after seven seasons in Washington's minor leagues as an...

Nationals want Goodwin to focus on bunting, baserunning

Nationals want Goodwin to focus on bunting, baserunning
Left-handed-hitting Brian Goodwin made a big jump last season from low Single-A Hagerstown to Double-A Harrisburg. The 22-year-old continued his baseball education in the Arizona Fall League and was a standout in the Rising Stars game. Goodwin homered, doubled and had two RBIs in the East's 9-4 win over the West. Harrisburg manager Matt Lecroy said the number of reps, at-bats and games Goodwin played last season against good competition were invaluable in the youngster's quest to get to the...

For now, Orioles showing no interest in McClellan

For now, Orioles showing no interest in McClellan
What a difference one offseason can make. Last winter, the Orioles were engaged in trade talks with the Cardinals involving pitcher Kyle McClellan, who was viewed as a candidate for the rotation or the bullpen. As I wrote here on Jan. 29, the Orioles balked at the Cardinals' asking price and gave up. Their interest also waned because of concerns that he wasn't healthy, which proved to be accurate. St. Louis released McClellan yesterday, making him free to sign with any team. Could the...

Nats set coaching staff, add Tarasco to coach first base (Thurman joins Nats)

Nats set coaching staff, add Tarasco to coach first base (Thurman joins Nats)
The Nationals have announced that Tony Tarasco has been added to Davey Johnson's coaching staff for the 2013 season. Tarasco will serve as the first base coach. Previously a roving outfield instructor/baserunning coordinator within the Nationals' organization, Tarasco will replace Trent Jewett in the first base coach's box. Jewett will move across the diamond and become third base coach, taking over for Bo Porter, who was hired as the Astros' manager. Johnson's coaching staff is now...

Souza excels in full season, ready to make noise at instructional league

Souza excels in full season, ready to make noise at instructional league
Right-hand hitting outfielder Steven Souza, Jr., took a big step forward in 2012, putting together a full season that displayed his power and skill on the baseball diamond. With a .290 average, 17 homers and 72 RBIs in 70 games at low Single-A Hagerstown, Souza earned a promotion back to high Single-A Potomac and kept on going. He finished the year with a combined .297 average in 97 games, with 23 homers, 85 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. Although Souza missed some time with various injuries to...

Bryce Harper leans on Werth to improve his outfield defense

Bryce Harper leans on Werth to improve his outfield defense
A lot has been made of rookie center fielder Bryce Harper's offense since the All-Star break, and how he had been struggling with off-speed pitches down in the zone. But recently, Harper has had four consecutive multi-hit games. In his last five games, he has nine hits, three homers and eight RBIs. His average has been raised to .256, after hitting .222 in July and .243 in August. And what about his defense in the outfield? He has made strides on defense with every chance and learned from...

Nationals outfield prospects Oduber, Taylor, Goodwin, Hood and more shining in camp

Nationals outfield prospects Oduber, Taylor, Goodwin, Hood and more shining in camp
We have talked a lot about and previewed prospects like Bryce Harper, Eury Perez, Brian Goodwin, Destin Hood and others. Here is the latest updates on how a few of these outfield prospects are faring as the regular season quickly draws near with minor league rosters about set. Nationals outfield coordinator Tony Tarasco said the work of Hood, Michael Taylor and Randolph Oduber has been standing out during spring training. "Taylor, Oduber and Hood are tremendous athletes," Tarasco said. "I...

Nationals don't want to rush top outfield prospect Perez

Nationals don't want to rush top outfield prospect Perez
Another outfielder working his way up the system is Dominican prospect Eury Perez, who hit .283 with 41 RBIs, 45 stolen bases in 119 games last season for Single-A Potomac. Now he is poised to make that next step. But let's not put too much pressure on the kid, says Nationals outfield coordinator Tony Tarasco. After all, he is only 21 years old and is still learning the game. "Eury has all the tools," Tarasco said. "He is another great ball player. I worry that because of our need for a...

Destin Hood focusing on throwing with continued positive results

Destin Hood focusing on throwing with continued positive results
We have mentioned some of the placements for Nationals prospects to begin the season: Bryce Harper and Tyler Moore in Triple-A Syracuse, Sandy Leon and Jeff Kobernus at Double-A Harrisburg, and Matt Purke and Anthony Rendon at Single-A Potomac. Another outstanding prospect that will move up from Potomac to Harrisburg this spring is outfielder Destin Hood, who had a tremendous campaign in Woodbridge, Va., last summer. Hood hit .276 in 128 games, with 29 doubles, five triples, 13 homers, 83 RBIs...

Tyler Moore focused on his speed and footwork in outfield defense

Tyler Moore focused on his speed and footwork in outfield defense
Bryce Harper and Tyler Moore, the future heart of the Nationals' order, could be side-by-side in the Triple-A outfield for a few games this season. The Nationals want Harper to play a lot of center field while at Triple-A Syracuse. That would give Harper significant experience at all three outfield positions, dating back to March 2011. Updated: A Nationals source said they anticipate Moore will play mostly at first base, but he could see a few games in the outfield. During instructional...

Harper's throwing adjustment keying seamless position switch

Harper's throwing adjustment keying seamless position switch
Nationals outfield coordinator Tony Tarasco has worked with Bryce Harper from Day One on getting the No. 1 prospect to make a smooth transition from his early days in high school and college as a catcher to his time now as a professional outfielder. "His progress has taken huge leaps," Tarasco said. "It is pretty impressive considering that he has only played outfield for about a year and also considering that he is coming from behind the plate and going to the outfield. A lot of times you...

Goodwin, Harper lead discussion of Nationals' top outfield prospects

Goodwin, Harper lead discussion of Nationals' top outfield prospects
The outfield depth of the Nationals' system has certainly been fortified over the last few seasons through draft and free agent acquisition, especially with the inclusion of former catcher and No. 1 prospect Bryce Harper moving to a corner outfield position in his first season. But also garnering major attention has been former University of North Carolina and the 34th overall selection in 2011, outfielder Brian Goodwin, who the franchise hope will eventually be that prototypical center...