J.J. Cooper on what kept Adley Rutschman at No. 1
J.J. Cooper on what kept Adley Rutschman at No. 1
Steve Melewski
Orioles
When I interviewed Baseball America executive editor J.J. Cooper this week about the publication's new top 100 prospects list, it was clear that while the Orioles' Adley Rutschman was ranked as the outlet's No. 1 prospect, he was not an easy choice to be No. 1. As good as Rutschman is, and Baseball America also rates him with three 70-grade tools, two other players had strong cases for No. 1. They are Seattle's 21-year-old outfield prospect Julio Rodriguez from the Dominican Republic and...
Can Robles take back his spot in center field?
Can Robles take back his spot in center field?
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
A few days ago, we discussed the curious case at first base for the Nationals heading into spring training. It's an interesting situation to think about for the team's long-term future, but it isn't a very pressing matter as it relates to the upcoming season. The same cannot be said for the situation in center field and how it relates to Victor Robles. It's been a hard fall from grace for Robles, formerly the organization's top prospect, who was believed to be even better than Juan Soto....
Frandsen hopes to pass along passion for baseball in new role
Frandsen hopes to pass along passion for baseball in new role
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
Kevin Frandsen is back in Washington, D.C. After a nine-year major league career, including the 2014 season with the Nationals and the last four seasons as a member of the Phillies radio broadcast crew, the former utility player is picking up the stick mic and stepping in front of the camera for Nats games this year. MASN and the Nationals announced yesterday that Frandsen was chosen to be the new color commentator alongside play-by-play announcer Bob Carpenter in the broadcast booth for the...
Neustrom and Dorrian getting extra looks at minicamp
Neustrom and Dorrian getting extra looks at minicamp
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles opened their second January minicamp yesterday, and the first for hitters, with a modest invite list that featured six of their top 11 prospects per MLBPipeline.com. Four of the other prospects in the elite 11 are pitchers. The only position player who's absent right now is infielder Connor Norby, a second-round pick in 2021 who will participate in the second hitting camp that opens Tuesday morning. (Here's a reminder from earlier this week.) The current gathering is headlined...
A look at the only 20-20 player on the O's farm in 2021
A look at the only 20-20 player on the O's farm in 2021
Steve Melewski
Orioles
On the Orioles farm, a case could be made that no player showed a better speed-power combination in 2021 than outfielder Zach Watson. He was the only player on the O's farm to both hit 20 or more homers and steal 20 or more bases. And he did that during the combined 105 games he played for high Single-A Aberdeen and Double-A Bowie. Watson, 24, was the Orioles' third-round pick (No. 79 overall) in 2019 out of LSU. He batted .248/.294/.468/.762 between the IronBirds and Baysox last season with...
Another sampling of Orioles spring training storylines
Another sampling of Orioles spring training storylines
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles pitchers and catchers are supposed to report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex on Feb. 15. The date remains alive during the lockout, but is threatened by the lack of a new collective bargaining agreement. The ticking of the clock is getting louder. Edgar Allan Poe might write a short story about it if he were alive today. The sides reportedly will meet in person Monday, with the union offering its counterproposal. The first bargaining session since a video conference Jan. 13 I've...
Frandsen chosen as new Nats analyst on MASN
Frandsen chosen as new Nats analyst on MASN
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
The new baseball season will bring a new look to the broadcast booth, as MASN and the Nationals have announced Kevin Frandsen as the new color commentator for Nats broadcasts this year. Frandsen will join play-by-play announcer Bob Carpenter in the MASN broadcast booth for the 2022 campaign after spending the last four seasons as a member of the Phillies radio broadcast team. "Thrilled is an understatement for the way I feel right now," said Frandsen in a released statement. "I'd like to...
Kevin Frandsen returns to Washington as MASN color commentator
Kevin Frandsen returns to Washington as MASN color commentator
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
The Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) and Washington Nationals today named former player Kevin Frandsen as the network's color commentator for Nationals television coverage. Frandsen joins the MASN booth after four seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies radio broadcast. He was a member of Washington's 2014 National League East Division championship team during his Major League playing career, which also included stops in San Francisco (2006-09, 2015), Los Angeles (AL) (2010) and Philadelphia...
Nats announce scheduled game times for 2022 season
Nats announce scheduled game times for 2022 season
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
The Nationals on Thursday morning announced the scheduled game times for the upcoming regular season. First pitch for opening day against the Mets at Citi Field is scheduled for a 1:10 p.m. start on Thursday, March 31. Both subsequent games of the opening series on Saturday and Sunday are also starting at 1:10 p.m., possibly including the first time Max Scherzer faces the Nats as a member of the Mets. The home opener at Nationals Park is scheduled for a 1:05 p.m. first pitch against the...
The curious case at first base
The curious case at first base
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
Whenever the Nationals actually report to West Palm Beach, there will be plenty of position battles to dissect. You can pretty much go right up the middle of the field. Will Keibert Ruiz get a strong hold of the starting catcher's spot? Who will fill out the back ends of both the rotation and bullpen? Who will start in the middle part of the infield? Can Victor Robles earn his spot in center field back from Lane Thomas? You can even throw in questions about Carter Kieboom at third base. But...