Center fielder Michael Taylor announced his presence with a three home run game Sunday for Double-A Harrisburg against Bowie. He went 3-for-4 with three home runs and four RBIs, becoming the first Nationals organizational player to his three homers in one game since Danny Espinosa. Taylor is batting .250 with four doubles, five home runs and 18 RBIs in 22 games. He has struck out 39 times, but has walked 11 times and stolen five bases. He is hitting .351 at home and .170 on the road. Taylor is...

It has not been the fastest start for Potomac Nationals first baseman Kevin Keyes. But Wednesday's home run at Carolina may change that. His first home run of the season, and 42nd of his minor league career, was a mammoth blast at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, N.C. that smashed a light bulb on the outfield light tower. Here is the description from Potomac Nationals Web site: "Keyes' majestic, Ruthian blast was a high-arching drive that collided with a band of bulbs on the left field...

The Nationals' accelerated development roster confirmed the club's confidence in positional changes for Justin Miller and Kevin Keyes. Miller and Keyes worked at new positions during October's instructional league workouts. Miller switched from the infield to catcher and Keyes from the outfield to first base. Miller is listed as a catcher and Keyes as first baseman on the roster released last week for accelerated development camp in Viera, Fla. With the unfortunate news that Spencer...

Instructional workouts begin today in Viera, Fla., with dozens of the Nationals prospects on hand to work on several aspects of their games. Players will work on refining their skills, glove work, plate organization and fielding techniques. Also, just like first baseman Tyler Moore getting his first chance to work in the outfield last season, some players will work out at different positions to add versatility to their games. Second baseman Justin Miller will work behind the plate after...

Potomac Nationals outfielder Kevin Keyes made a big splash as one of the top home run hitters in the system with his play in 2011, and although the competition has ramped up in high Single-A, Keyes believes he is making progress in preparing for the better pitching he sees now at this advanced level. "The Carolina League is an adjustment," Keyes said. "It is a harder league than the South Atlantic League. As a team, we are making adjustments that are making everybody better at the plate. We...

Right-handed hitter Randolph Oduber is making the step-by-step transition from low Single-A Hagerstown to high Single-A Potomac and getting adjusted to his new surroundings and new teammates. Oduber said teammates Kevin Keyes, Michael Taylor and Wade Moore have developed good camaraderie working the Pfitzner Stadium outfield through the first month of the season. "It is going really good," Oduber said. "Our communication is really good right now. Every inning, we talk and every situation,...

While in Hagerstown to see Stephen Strasburg rehab, one of the outfield stories that really caught my eye was the power displayed by Kevin Keyes. Keyes is continuing his season at the Nationals' instructional camp in Florida. Single-A Potomac Nationals hitting coach Mark Harris is one of the many coaches at instructs and likes what he sees from the former Texas Longhorn. "I think he opened some eyes with his production," Harris said. "A lot of coaches are anxious to see how he will do at...

Single-A Hagerstown Suns right fielder Kevin Keyes has made the most of his opportunity in his second season in the Nationals organization after a rough opening campaign in Vermont. "Last year this time I was disappointed (with my play). I didn't do so well in Vermont. It was a wake up call," Keyes said. "I worked very hard to get better and it has paid off. I have concentrated on improving my swing and defense." Keyes said it was difficult to get his approach at the plate down on a...

Nationals right-hander Todd Coffey notched the win Friday, firing a scoreless 1-2-3 top of the ninth inning. It was a quiet inning that might not have received much attention if he did not grab the victory. Washington scored six runs in the bottom of the ninth, highlighted by Ryan Zimmerman's walk-off grand slam. Coffey improved to 4-1. After he allowed three runs in Colorado August 6, Coffey has thrown four straight games without allowing a run and just one hit with no walks and three...

Hagerstown Suns outfielder