Callis: Harper "best power prospect I have ever seen"

Callis: Harper "best power prospect I have ever seen"
Nationals selection of Bryce Harper as the top pick in the amateur draft could be one for the ages. In Bryce's only season at the junior college level, he set almost every major school record at the College of Southern Nevada, batting .443, including 31 homers and 98 RBI. The Coyotes hit 17 homers AS A TEAM in 2009. How good will Bryce Harper be and when could he make his major league debut with the Nationals? Jim Callis, Executive Editor at Baseball America had some strong words to...

Strasburg, Storen Impress

Strasburg, Storen Impress
In front of a sell-out crowd of 7,887 on a beautiful Sunday in Altoona, Pa., baseball fans in small town Pennsylvania got a glimpse at the future of the Washington Nationals. Just over nine months ago, the Nationals drafted an ace and a closer, Stephen Strasburg and Drew Storen, two very different young men who will, over time, be asked to accept important roles in the organization's future. On Sunday, the duo did what they hope to continue doing in Washington for years to come. Pitching...

Tomlin: "Strasburg will make a name for himself"

Tomlin: "Strasburg will make a name for himself"
Harrisburg Senators pitching coach Randy Tomlin took some time after batting practice Thursday to talk about Stephen Strasburg as he gets ready for his second start of the season. Strasburg was impressive last Sunday, going 5 innings, allowing 1 unearned run and striking out 8 Altoona Curve batters in a 6-4 win. We talked about Strasburg getting into a rhythm last week, is that again what you would like to see in his next outing? "Yes, we want him to get into a rhythm. Stephen was a little...

Strasburg versus Reds in June?

Strasburg versus Reds in June?
With the team announcement that Nationals number one overall selection Stephen Strasburg is moving on to the Syracuse Chiefs, I project the possible May starts for #37, and if all goes well, his first major league baseball start would be in early June for the home series against the Cincinnati Reds. Jim Callis, Executive Editor of Baseball America told me it makes sense for the Nats to have Strasburg in Harrisburg for a month, Syracuse for a month, then bring him up for 100 innings before...

Going for the win in the 10th

Going for the win in the 10th
Braves closer Billy Wagner, from nearby Crozet, Virginia, came on in the 10th inning with the lead and was able to stop the Nats rally. Wagner allowed a single by Cristian Guzman and it looked like the Nats would have a chance to tie or win the game. But Wagner retired the next three batters to notch only his third save of the season. Ian Desmond was next and was not asked to bunt with a man on first and no outs. Manager Jim Riggleman wanted to go for the win with the bullpen getting heavy...

Marquis: "I will be out 8-10 weeks"

Marquis: "I will be out 8-10 weeks"
Potomac Nationals pitching coach Paul Menhart gave me some quick insight on veteran Nats pitcher Jason Marquis and his outing Tuesday in Woodbridge. Jason told the media today it is a strong possibility he will need surgery to clean up bone chips in his elbow. He said he felt a lot of pain this morning and expects to be out 8 to 10 weeks. Menhart on Jason Marquis' pitching Tuesday in Woodbridge: "His velocity was not quite there from what I remembered from the past. He told me he...

Stammen says Red Sox game will help him against Phillies

Stammen says Red Sox game will help him against Phillies
Thursday getaway day matchup features Nationals righthander Craig Stammen taking on Phillies righthander Kyle Kendrick. Stammen made 19 starts last year and went 4-7 with a 5.11 ERA and did not pitch after August 29th. He had off-season surgery to clean out bone spurs in his elbow. He said the pain had bothered him to the point where he couldn't straighten his arm out completely and every off day was an attempt to get back to feeling good instead of refining his pitches or working on...

What's going to happen once lockout ends?

What's going to happen once lockout ends?
It's a matter of when, not if, Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association come to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement and the lockout ends. Spring will bloom and a new baseball season will be underway. The real question is what is going to happen once the lockout does, in fact, end? It wasn't our direct topic of conversation, but that question was discussed a bit on this week's episode of the "MASN All Access Podcast." I came up with three things that fall under that...

Although young, Nats farm restocked with position players

Although young, Nats farm restocked with position players
Last week, we discussed which Nationals pitching prospects could make their major league debuts this season, aside from Cade Cavalli. This week, we're pivoting our attention to the position players on the farm. Amy Jennings and I wondered, during this week's episode of the "MASN All Access Podcast," when we might see them in Washington. But for the purposes of this post, this exercise is going to be more of an appreciation of the restocking of the Nats farm system with position players...

Despite issues, MLB still has more parity than other leagues

Despite issues, MLB still has more parity than other leagues
The National Football League crowned a new champion Sunday night, the Rams winning their first Super Bowl in 22 years (when they still played in St. Louis), making this their first Lombardi Trophy while representing Los Angeles. And they did so by beating a Bengals franchise making its first Super Bowl appearance in 33 years, a franchise still seeking its first title after this heartbreaking loss. The NFL, with its salary cap and even distribution of television money (something it can do...

Who backs up Bell at first base?

Who backs up Bell at first base?
Now that the celebration of Ryan Zimmerman's retirement has had its moment in the spotlight - and don't worry, I'm sure there will be plenty more celebrations this season and in the years to come - it's time for the Nationals to look ahead as to what their future looks like without their face of the franchise. The long-term ramifications are still to be determined. But as it pertains to the 2022 season, Zimmerman's retirement leaves an immediate hole to be filled on the Nats roster: backup...

No Gold Gloves for Nationals

No Gold Gloves for Nationals
Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon and outfielders Juan Soto and Victor Robles did not win Gold Gloves this season, as selections were announced Sunday night by Major League Baseball on ESPN2. The voting was completed late in regular season by managers and coaches. The only stipulation was the managers and coaches could not vote for their own players. Rendon was one of three finalists at third base in the National League. He lost out to Nolan Arenado of the Rockies. Soto, who was joined by...

Raquet on his slider and experience in the AFL

Raquet on his slider and experience in the AFL
We continue our conversation with Nationals pitching prospect Nick Raquet and get more information on his slider. A left-hander with his best pitch being the slider sounds familiar. How does it compare with Patrick Corbin's slider? "It's definitely my go-to," Raquet said. "I feel like if I'm in a pinch in any situation, I'm throwing my slider. It's probably my best pitch. I kind of grip it and rip it. I've never actually talked to Patrick. I would assume he spins the hell out of it. I...

Nats prospect watch: Cody Wilson has the tools to deliver on field

Nats prospect watch: Cody Wilson has the tools to deliver on field
An obvious starting point for who will be next to have a good chance of making the big leagues is found in the Nationals top prospect lists. But what is also intriguing are players who are not on this list just yet or were not considered for some reason or another. Similar to undrafted rookies or free agents in the National Football League, these prospects can reside under the radar for a time but then burst onto the scene. I asked Nationals minor league hitting coordinator Troy Gingrich for a...

Baseball America Nats No. 4 prospect: RHP Wil Crowe

Baseball America Nats No. 4 prospect: RHP Wil Crowe
The Nationals started Wil Crowe, one of their top prospects, in Monday's Grapefruit League matchup against the Mets. The right-hander (0-1) allowed a second-inning solo homer to Wilson Ramos, but pitched two innings with that one hit, one strikeout and no walks allowed in the 2-1 loss. Crowe displayed outstanding endurance in 2019 with 26 starts, between Double-A and Triple-A, going 7-10 with a 4.70 ERA with 130 strikeouts over 149 1/3 innings, just 48 walks and his WHIP at 1.33. The...

Nationals value graduates of their Dominican academy

Nationals value graduates of their Dominican academy
The Nationals continue to do a very good job of fortifying their roster with quality prospects who started out at their Dominican baseball academy. It is one main reason why MLBPipeline.com has ranked the Nationals' international prospects in their top 10 in Major League Baseball. In a recent ranking, the Nats overall system was rated No. 5 in the top 10 of the 2010's. Being in the right place at the right time for Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg had a lot to do with that, but so did the...

Nats prospect watch: Freeman's simple swing should pay dividends at Double-A

Nats prospect watch: Freeman's simple swing should pay dividends at Double-A
Nationals prospect Cole Freeman was a Carolina League All-Star in 2019 and also got a shot at playing 15 games in the Arizona Fall League for the Surprise Saguaros. The 25-year-old worked with Nationals hitting coordinator Troy Gingrich at spring training for a short time. Gingrich admired Freeman's compact swing. "I only got to see him for three days," Gingrich said. "He's very simple. He's got a short swing. He's got to where he is using his legs, his lower half, in his swing as well....

During AFL, Sharp worked on slowing spin rate on sinker

During AFL, Sharp worked on slowing spin rate on sinker
To see how Sterling Sharp is a little bit different athletically than maybe your average baseball player, check out his dunking skills on his Twitter home page: Incase @MiLB or @MLB ever decides to have a dunk contest 🙋🏾‍♂️🤷🏽‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/ZnE2kgyJir -- Sterling Sharp (@DatDude_Ster42) November 19, 2017 In part two, we continue our conversation with the 24-year-old right-hander in the Nationals system, who demonstrated his...

Freeman's consistency and versatility keys to his success

Freeman's consistency and versatility keys to his success
Infielder/outfielder Cole Freeman has put together two of the most consistent seasons in his first two campaigns in the Nationals organization. Along the way, Freeman has proven his ability to excel as the level of competition intensified. In his first season out of LSU in 2018, Freeman played in 122 games with low Single-A Hagerstown, slashing .266/.354/.371 with 32 doubles, three triples, three homers, 26 stolen bases and 43 RBIs. The next season, he was even better. In 2019 at high Single-A...

Baseball America Nats No. 10 prospect: LHP Seth Romero

Baseball America Nats No. 10 prospect: LHP Seth Romero
Counting down the Nationals' top 10 prospects in 2020, according to the latest Baseball America list, we begin at No. 10 with southpaw Seth Romero, the club's first-round selection in 2017. Romero worked his way back from Tommy John surgery last season and is expected to make his first appearance in minor league play since 2018. I caught up with him in last year's spring training to see how well his rehabilitation from the injury was going. 10. LHP Seth Romero The 23-year-old Houston native...