Nats hope improved depth leads to improved bullpen
Nats hope improved depth leads to improved bullpen
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
As spring training fast approaches, it's time to break down the state of the Nationals roster, position by position. The series continues today with the bullpen ... We know the Nationals bullpen was terrible last season. That's not news to anyone. How bad was it, though? And, more importantly, why was it so bad? The stat most often cited throughout the ordeal that was the 2019 regular season was the Nats' bullpen ERA: 5.66. That was worst in the majors, and worst by any major league bullpen...
Baseball America Nats No. 9 prospect: SS Yasel Antuna
Baseball America Nats No. 9 prospect: SS Yasel Antuna
Byron Kerr
Nationals
At No. 9 on the Baseball America top 10 Nationals prospects list is 20-year-old shortstop Yasel Antuna. Antuna is from Peravia, D.R., and is a switch-hitter who battled injuries in 2019, which held him to only three games for the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Nationals. In 2018, Antuna played in 87 games for Single-A Hagerstown. The infielder slashed .220/.293/.331 with 14 doubles, two triples, six homers, eight stolen bases and 27 RBIs. Baseball America Nationals correspondent Lacy Lusk says...
Another look at the Orioles' recent international signings
Another look at the Orioles' recent international signings
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles have now signed a total of 34 players in an international amateur signing class that is the biggest in team history and has a chance to grow even larger. The Orioles announced 27 signings on July 2 and on Jan. 24 they announced seven more 16-year-old players signed out of the Dominican Republic. The totals now show 23 players from the Dominican Republic, eight from Venezuela and one each from Aruba, the Bahamas and Colombia. Of the 34, the Orioles have signed 19 pitchers (14...
What to expect at spring training
What to expect at spring training
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Pitchers and catchers are reporting to the Orioles' spring training complex in exactly one week. The first full-squad workout is Feb. 17. I've been asked about leaving for "spring break" since December. There's a difference, including how you won't find me dancing poolside on MTV. It isn't all fun and exhibition games. It actually qualifies as work - with only one day off in six weeks - but the sunshine kills the pity factor. I won't be penning a love letter to Sarasota because it...
Orioles announce 2020 promotional schedule
Orioles announce 2020 promotional schedule
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Celebrations that commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Negro Leagues, the 50th anniversary of the 1970 World Series championship and the 25th anniversary of Cal Ripken Jr.'s record-breaking 2,131st consecutive game highlight the Orioles' 2020 promotional schedule. Individual game tickets will go on sale to the general public Thursday beginning at 10 a.m. Birdland Members will receive an email with details on an exclusive pre-sale opportunity that begins Tuesday. Fans who subscribe to the...
Orioles announce 2020 promotions schedule
Orioles announce 2020 promotions schedule
Doug Miller
Orioles
The Orioles today announced their 2020 promotional schedule, highlighted by an extensive slate of unique giveaway items, events, and returning favorites to Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The wide variety of promotions features family-friendly activities and entertainment to appeal to Birdland's diverse fan base, as well as the return of the Birdland Summer Music Series. Throughout the season, the Orioles will also celebrate a variety of anniversaries and initiatives, including women's...
Orioles announce LeBlanc signing
Orioles announce LeBlanc signing
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles' minor league deal with left-hander Wade LeBlanc has moved into its next phase of progression. It's been announced by the club. Official word came earlier today, including how LeBlanc receives an invitation to major league camp. News broke last week that the two sides had reached agreement. LeBlanc was expected to take his physical in Sarasota, Fla. Today's news is an indication that LeBlanc signed a contract. The deal wasn't done last week. The competition for rotation spots...
Nats will again go as far as star-studded rotation takes them
Nats will again go as far as star-studded rotation takes them
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
As spring training fast approaches, it's time to break down the state of the Nationals roster, position by position. The series begins today with the starting rotation ... What was the biggest difference between the 2018 Nationals, who disappointed and failed to reach the postseason, and the 2019 Nationals, who not only reached October but were the last team standing at the end of the month? Starting pitching. Yes, the offensive heroics of Anthony Rendon, Juan Soto, Howie Kendrick and company...
Pondering a few random spring training questions and topics
Pondering a few random spring training questions and topics
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Next week, Orioles pitchers and catchers will report to Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Fla., for spring training. Late next month, a new regular season will begin. It's coming fast. Today we ponder some random questions and topics that will be getting scrutiny in spring training. Will Alex Cobb be healthy?: The answer seems to be most definitely yes. Now the Orioles need to keep it that way and see if they can get Cobb pitching as he did in the second half of the 2018 season. Unable to pitch on...
Givens: "I bleed black and orange"
Givens: "I bleed black and orange"
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
As the Orioles bring in another bullpen candidate in former Red Sox prospect Travis Lakins, they keep holding onto a reliever who wears the trade chip label as if it's sewn onto his uniform jersey. Mychal Givens hears the description during the July deadline, the Winter Meetings and the ensuing weeks that lead into spring training. He offers a shrug and continues to ignore it. Givens has become a veteran in the majors and at avoiding distractions and the stress that accompanies them. "I've...