O's farm has improved and six 40-man adds is latest example
O's farm has improved and six 40-man adds is latest example
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles made a nice statement Friday about their improving farm system. A farm system that has risen to No. 8 in the game in the MLBPipeline.com organizational rankings. They protected six players from that farm from being taken in next month's Rule 5 draft. They added all six last night to their 40-man roster. They added pitchers Michael Baumann, Alexander Wells, Zac Lowther and Isaac Mattson, outfielder Yusniel Diaz and infielder Rylan Bannon. Some in the game speculate that after not...
Orioles protect six players and DFA Núñez (updated)
Orioles protect six players and DFA Núñez (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles reached the maximum on their 40-man roster this afternoon with the additions of outfielder Yusniel Diaz, infielder Rylan Bannon, and pitchers Michael Baumann, Zac Lowther, Isaac Mattson and Alexander Wells. To create a spot, the Orioles have designated Renato Núñez for assignment. He led the club in home runs the past two seasons and is eligible for arbitration. The deadline to set the roster was 6 p.m. The six players are now protected from the Rule 5 draft, which is held on...
Nats protect Antuna, Adon from Rule 5 draft
Nats protect Antuna, Adon from Rule 5 draft
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals added two prospects to their 40-man roster today, believing infielder Yasel Antuna and right-hander Joan Adon needed to be protected from being lost in next month's Rule 5 draft while taking a chance a few others won't be gobbled up by another club. Antuna and Adon each had his contract purchased, elevating each player to the organization's 40-man roster even though neither is on the cusp of making his major league debut. Club officials do believe both prospects have a future...
Nationals select contracts of Yasel Antuna and Joan Adon
Nationals select contracts of Yasel Antuna and Joan Adon
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
The Washington Nationals selected the contracts of infielder Yasel Antuna and right-handed pitcher Joan Adon on Friday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Antuna, 21, is the No. 4 prospect in Washington's Minor League system, according to Baseball America. He is also cited by Baseball America as being the "Best Hitter for Average" and the "Best Power Hitter" among Nationals Minor Leaguers. A switch-hitting, versatile infielder,...
Kubatko a finalist for Maryland Sportswriter of the Year
Kubatko a finalist for Maryland Sportswriter of the Year
Pete Kerzel
Orioles
MASNsports.com Orioles beat writer Roch Kubatko has been nominated as a finalist for the Maryland Sportswriter of the Year award presented annually by the National Sports Media Association. Kubatko, who has been with MASN since 2008, is one of three finalists for the Maryland award, joining Peter Schmuck of The Baltimore Sun and Bill Wagner of The Capital in Annapolis. Voting will be conducted among NSMA members from Dec. 1-31, with the winners to be announced in early January and feted at the...
Zuckerman a finalist for D.C. Sportswriter of the Year
Zuckerman a finalist for D.C. Sportswriter of the Year
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
MASNsports.com Nationals beat writer Mark Zuckerman is a finalist for the Washington, D.C., Sportswriter of the Year award presented by the National Sports Media Association. Zuckerman, who joined MASNsports.com in 2016, is one of six finalists for the annual award, along with David Aldridge, Fred Katz and Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic, and Thomas Boswell and Barry Svrluga of The Washington Post. Voting will be conducted among NSMA members from Dec. 1-31, with the winners to be announced in...
Medium Rare's 12th annual free turkey fry to be held at Nationals Park
Medium Rare's 12th annual free turkey fry to be held at Nationals Park
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
Two institutions team up to make sure Thanksgiving goes as planned for many in the D.C. region. Medium Rare Restaurants is proud to announce it's partnering with the Washington Nationals for its 12th Annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Fry. Because of social distancing and occupancy guidelines, Medium Rare can't hold its iconic event as usual at one of its locations. Instead, the Nationals have generously provided the perfect location at the ballpark, assuring the tradition continues while...
Talking about creating more action in the game
Talking about creating more action in the game
Steve Melewski
Orioles
As he left his job running the Chicago Cubs baseball operations this week, Theo Epstein addressed what he sees as issues in baseball. Issues that he believes he helped create and now wonders if the game will fix them. The issues involve a lack of action in the sport. There are too many strikeouts, too much swing and miss. Strikeouts are fun if you're the pitcher, but they are piling up more and more each year. More whiffs and fewer balls in play. Fewer chances for plays at the plate and great...
Friday morning news and notes
Friday morning news and notes
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Some news and notes for you on this Friday morning ... * Today is the deadline for all clubs to add players to their 40-man roster and protect them from the Rule 5 draft, so look for the Nationals to make an announcement on a few guys at some point. The Rule 5 draft, which is scheduled to take place Dec. 10 to wrap up the virtual Winter Meetings, allows clubs to select away minor leaguers from other organizations and add them to their major league roster. Any player drafted for $100,000 must...
Reviewing past Rule 5 risks
Reviewing past Rule 5 risks
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Leaving players unprotected in the Rule 5 draft comes with varying levels of risk, though they usually wind up back in their organizations as teams give up trying to carry them through an entire major league season. There's the occasional waiver claim, which is how the Orioles acquired shortstop José Morban on March 28, 2003. The Twins would have offered him back to the Rangers, but the Orioles intervened and utility player Jeff Reboulet was pulled off the field and told that he actually...