MLB honors Nationals with 2024 Selig Award for philanthropy
Mark Zuckerman
Masn
When the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy opened in 2014, the franchise that bears its name hoped the brand new facility would help make a positive difference in the lives of underprivileged children in Southeast Washington. Ten years later, the academy has made a difference for more than 6,000 local kids and has established itself as one of the pr
After rising fast, Pinckney needs to adjust to upper levels of minor leagues
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
PROSPECT REVIEW: ANDREW PINCKNEY Age on opening day 2025: 24 How acquired: Drafted in fourth round in 2023 from University of Alabama Ranking: No. 28 per MLB Pipeline, No. 21 per Baseball America MLB ETA: 2026* Projected by MLB Pipeline Signing bonus: $500,000 2024 levels: Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester 2024 stats: 137 G, 580 PA, 520 AB
Corbin Burnes is an example that strikeouts are trending down in MLB
Steve Melewski
Orioles
It is a slow trend down in baseball. It is pitcher strikeout rates per every nine innings. In the shortened 2020 season, pitchers in MLB averaged 9.1 strikeout per every nine innings. The year after the mark was 8.9. Last season it was down to 8.6 per nine. It is nothing too significant at this point and there is still plenty of swing and miss in t
Wondering when Wells can rejoin Orioles
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles' 40-man roster went untouched again yesterday. The transactions page didn't require updating.  At least one starting pitcher, at least one reliever, a right-handed hitting outfielder and a backup catcher are on the much-publicized shopping list. There are only so many ways to present it. And an item or two could be crossed off at next w
Will flipping of calendar ignite Nats' Hot Stove?
Mark Zuckerman
Masn
Thanksgiving has come and gone, the calendar has flipped to December and every other commercial on TV right now is Christmas-themed. We’ve entered a new phase of the year, and that should include the official firing up of the Hot Stove at last. Though there’s always some baseball news in November, it’s usually the quietest month of the offseason, c
Trevor Rogers' winter plan: Find his velocity again
Steve Melewski
Orioles
For Orioles lefty pitcher Trevor Rogers, things were moving fast. Spiraling on him a bit. On July 30 he was traded from Miami to the Orioles, who gave up Connor Norby and Kyle Stowers to get him. Less than a month later – after four mostly ineffective starts for his new club – he was sent to Triple-A. This was not going the right direction. He had
While still very young, when will speedster Vaquero fly up the ranks?
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
PROSPECT REVIEW: CRISTHIAN VAQUERO Age on opening day 2025: 20 How acquired: Signed as international free agent, January 2022 Ranking: No. 23 per MLB Pipeline, No. 12 per Baseball America MLB ETA: 2027* Projected by MLB Pipeline Signing bonus: $4.925 million (highest of his class and Nationals record for international prospect) 2024 levels: Single-
Suárez just wants the ball in any role with Orioles
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I emptied the mailbag over the weekend, but a question arrived yesterday that I wanted to address and expand on rather than save it for later. It pertains to one of the most important members of the 2024 team, an unexpected development that can’t be disputed. It’s just fact, and further proof that minor league signings can’t always be downplayed or
Noted here recently: Baysox name change, Crochet on trade market, O's young players work to improve
Steve Melewski
Orioles
For someone who covers the minor leagues as I do it is a question to ponder: When referring to the Baysox moving forward, do I go with Chesapeake, their new name, or in some cases is Bowie still acceptable? A case like when I refer to a player who spent time in 2024 with the Baysox. They were still Bowie then, so do I say this player hit such and s
Can Morales be Nats’ long-term solution at first or third?
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
PROSPECT REVIEW: YOHANDY MORALES Age on opening day 2025: 23 How acquired: Drafted in second round in 2023 from the University of Miami (Fla.) Ranking: No. 9 per MLB Pipeline, No. 7 per Baseball America MLB ETA: 2025* Projected by MLB Pipeline Signing bonus: $2.6 million 2024 levels: Single-A Fredericksburg and Double-A Harrisburg 2024 stats: 75 G,