Mock says Pudge helping to improve command (audio)
Mock says Pudge helping to improve command (audio)
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Recently, I had a chance to talk with Nationals starting pitcher Garrett Mock about his pitching and how Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez has been integral to his progression in spring training. Mock says Rodriguez is helping each pitcher work on finer points of pitching in spring training, specifically in hitting a spot "to see if they can or show them that they can". "During the season I believe Pudge came here to win at all costs," Mock said, but that may be sacrificed during spring training...
No more waiting for Maxwell and Desmond
No more waiting for Maxwell and Desmond
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Could the Nationals be getting serious about a youth movement? It's looking more and more possible that Justin Maxwell and Ian Desmond will make the team this year out of spring training. If they do, here's a breakdown of the potential new lineup defensively: Josh Willingham, Nyjer Morgan and Justin Maxwell in the outfield.Ryan Zimmerman, Ian Desmond, Adam Kennedy and Adam Dunn in the infield.Stephen Strasburg and Drew Storen as the bookend pitchers (June 1).Pudge Rodriguez giving way to a...
Getting ready to see Strasburg
Getting ready to see Strasburg
Byron Kerr
Nationals
With the news that pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg will start his professional career at the Double-A level with the Harrisburg Senators, I took care of the leg work for you and checked in with the Director of Broadcasting for the Senators, Terry Byrom, about the upcoming season. Byrom let us know when tickets will go on sale, and talks about the history of big names playing baseball in Harrisburg and the Eastern League All-Star game. He also discusses the impact of new manager Randy Knorr,...
Stammen stamping out his place in Nats rotation
Stammen stamping out his place in Nats rotation
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Craig Stammen is one step closer to being named the fifth starter for the Nats rotation to begin the 2010 campaign. He has held his own in spring training and done a good job getting ready for the season. Saturday, Stammen pitched 5 innings and allowed only 2 earned runs. Stammen told me he is learning a lot during his side sessions with Steve McCatty. "I feel comfortable (on the mound) right now, back to where I was before the surgery. My fastball is good, I am throwing it for strikes, I...
If you are watching or listening to today's game......
If you are watching or listening to today's game......
Steve Melewski
Orioles
.......why not send in a comment or question to me while you are tuned in. I'll be watching today's game from home here in beautiful Harford County. While you are tuned in and also keeping up with all of Roch's great reporting from the game itself, feel free to send me a comment as well. We've gotten a lot of interesting comments today on my blog about Guthrie & Tillman. Feel free to keep the comments coming there or you can write them here now as well. (No need to repeat what you...
Mounting concern over Guthrie
Mounting concern over Guthrie
Steve Melewski
Orioles
When Robinson Cano launched that 3-1 pitch over the fence Monday night, you could almost feel Orioles fans confidence in Jeremy Guthrie drop another notch. He has not done much this spring to provide fans with hope that he will have a bounce back season. But I do think the concern, some would say panic, over Guthrie's struggles, is a little over the top. *Why is he being handed a starting rotation spot? That is the question from some fans. He does have a track record of success, two years...
Next challenge for Waring:  Eastern League pitchers
Next challenge for Waring: Eastern League pitchers
Steve Melewski
Orioles
So after being named Carolina League MVP last year while also winning the Brooks Robinson award as the O's Minor League Player of the Year, what will Brandon Waring do this season for an encore? In his second year in the O's organization he'll move up to Double-A Bowie and tangle with Eastern League pitching. "This year will be the most challenging year yet," the 24-year-old Waring said. "The pitchers are more refined, they have a plan and can throw all their pitches for strikes. I'm...
Some pitching and some hoops
Some pitching and some hoops
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Jeremy Guthrie seems to be one pitcher that many fans feel is in for another poor year. Some reporters are questioning his confidence. Some don't even feel he should begin the year in the rotation. I am not in that camp. He showed me enough in 2007 and 2008 and I am not yet overly concerned about his spring performance. Only 15 pitchers in the AL worked more innings than Guthrie last season and that should count for something. His 5.04 ERA came down some in the second half when he...
Plenty of reasons to watch the minors
Plenty of reasons to watch the minors
Steve Melewski
Orioles
While the Orioles are closing in on another opening day, so are their four full-season farm teams: the Norfolk Tides, the Bowie Baysox, the Frederick Keys and the Delmarva Shorebirds. With the parent club rebuilding around youth and pitching, there will be plenty of reasons to follow the O's minor leaguers this year. Bowie - Early on, this may be the most interesting team to track. The rotation could feature top pitching prospect Zach Britton along with Steve Johnson, Chorye Spoone and...
Pre-game notes
Pre-game notes
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail doesn't expect to have an update on Chad Moeller's situation before tomorrow. MacPhail is checking whether any clubs have openings for Moeller on their 25-man roster, but he doesn't sound optimistic that it will happen. Moeller apparently hasn't given an indication whether he'd accept an assignment to Triple- A Norfolk. "First, we both agreed to let the 25-man opportunity play out and then we'd take it from there," MacPhail...