Coles brings track record of success to Nationals
Coles brings track record of success to Nationals
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
When word got out that Kevin Long would be leaving D.C. to take the hitting coach job in Philadelphia, Darnell Coles must have had a keen eye on the opening with the Nationals. Not only for the opportunity to rejoin the organization with which he started his coaching career and to be alongside longtime friend Davey Martinez in the dugout, but also for the chance to work with one of baseball's best hitters in Juan Soto. (Not to mention a power switch-hitter in Josh Bell and a core of young...
This, that and the other
This, that and the other
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles began their offseason with eight players eligible for arbitration, but the class has been whittled to six. Infielder Pat Valaika and catcher Pedro Severino passed through waivers and were outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, setting up their plunges into free agency. MLBTradeRumors.com projected that Valaika would earn $1.3 million next season and Severino $3.1 million. For a team needing to clear substantial space on the 40-man roster, these were easy calls to make. Left among the...
Nationals claim Francisco Pérez off waivers from Guardians
Nationals claim Francisco Pérez off waivers from Guardians
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
The Washington Nationals claimed left-handed pitcher Francisco Pérez off waivers from the Cleveland Guardians on Friday. Additionally, the Nationals outrighted right-handed pitcher Kyle McGowin to Triple-A Rochester. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Pérez, 24, went 4-0 with three saves and a 1.87 ERA in 30 games between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus in 2021. He struck out 82 batters in 53.0 innings pitched while...
Nats claim Pérez off waivers from Guardians, outright McGowin
Nats claim Pérez off waivers from Guardians, outright McGowin
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
The Nationals tweaked their 40-man roster Friday afternoon, claiming left-hander Francisco Pérez off waivers from the Guardians. Pérez made his major league debut for the Indians in 2021, working to a 4.05 ERA in four relief outings. He was tagged for three runs in 1 1/3 innings in his debut on Aug. 12 at home against the A's, then turned in three scoreless appearances in September, covering 5 1/3 innings. The 24-year-old from the Dominican Republic will retain his rookie status at least...
Orioles lose Hunter Harvey on waiver claim (updated)
Orioles lose Hunter Harvey on waiver claim (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles made another roster move this afternoon and it eliminated a former first-round draft pick whose attempts at becoming a high-leverage reliever in the back end of the bullpen will continue in another organization. Multiple sources confirmed that the Giants claimed Hunter Harvey off waivers. He was on the 60-day injured list, which didn't count against a 40-man roster that holds at 30, but the Orioles were approaching the date to reinstate him. Harvey was the 22nd overall pick in the...
Westburg, Henderson and Mayo staying on course toward majors
Westburg, Henderson and Mayo staying on course toward majors
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles' fall instructional league camp is an interesting mix of top prospects, ballyhooed international signings and trade acquisitions, and players who began to get noticed and want to keep improving their stock. What's missing are the intrasquad games. It's more about workouts, conditioning and strength, education and bonding. Infield prospect Jordan Westburg describes it as "a good foundation for all of us guys that are young in this organization, just building...
Kjerstad: "I'm feeling like my old self again"
Kjerstad: "I'm feeling like my old self again"
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Heston Kjerstad doesn't know the reasons why he contracted myocarditis, a condition that causes inflammation in the heart and halts the career of a young baseball player. It could have been related to COVID-19. It could have been something else. What's indisputable is how it wrecked his professional life and changed him personally. Maybe for the better in the long run. Kjerstad certainly believes so, and he carries that positive attitude into his daily workouts at the Orioles' fall...
Carter Baumler's rehab from surgery has been moving along well
Carter Baumler's rehab from surgery has been moving along well
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles have to be encouraged by the early returns on their six-player 2020 draft. They've seen Jordan Westburg, Hudson Haskin, Anthony Servideo and Coby Mayo do some nice things. Now they look to get Heston Kjerstad and Carter Baumler in the mix. Both Kjerstad, the No. 2 overall pick in that draft, and Baumler, the right-hander the Orioles drafted in round five (No. 133 overall), should be on the field in games when the 2022 season begins. Baumler has only pitched in one game since the...
An O's pitcher who could have a breakout 2022 season
An O's pitcher who could have a breakout 2022 season
Steve Melewski
Orioles
His 2021 stats are modest, but it says here his talent is large. He was taken No. 4 overall in the 2015 draft and he has a right arm worthy of such a high pick. But so far at the major league level, Orioles reliever Dillon Tate has not put it all together. Just when it looks like he is getting on a roll and we see a bunch of nasty pitches, something often seems to go wrong. Will next season be his year? I say it will and there are stats from 2021 that might provide a clue. First of all, his...
Because You Asked - Analyze That
Because You Asked - Analyze That
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
With the 2021 season officially over and baseball moving into full offseason mode, important dates on the calendar crossed off one at a time, the mailbag again is inflating like my ego. My new wife is only available to deflate the ego. Not the mailbag. That one is up to me. Just to review: You, my wonderful followers - which unfortunately sounds like a cult that will be documented on Netflix - ask me many questions that I attempt to answer. Some of you ask the same ones as if I ignored you. And...