Nationals Journal

Wilkie Deserves the Nod

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:30:31 -0500

Good for Josh Wilkie, making the Rising Stars roster. He had the fifth best ERA in the AFL through Thursday's games. He's been nearly as good as Drew Storen in the less glamorous middle relief role. I had two long talks with Wilkie in Phoenix and was so impressed with him. (You'll be seeing more on him soon.) He's an undrafted free agent out of GW, of course, which gives him a local connection. But he is truly a Washingtonian these days -- he lives here in the offseason, and he hopes one day to be able to ride the Green Line to work, He's got one true major-league level pitch -- the changeup -- but in the AFL his command has been outstanding. So he doesn't have a fastball to match Strasburg's, for instance, but he puts it right where he wants it. Will a tremendous changeup and good

Strasburg Scratched with Neck Strain [UPDATED]

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:09:03 -0500

Stephen Strasburg, the Nationals' No. 1 overall draft pick this June, was scratched from Saturday's scheduled start in the Arizona Fall League Rising Stars game due to a strained muscle in his neck, the team said Friday. According to a Nationals spokesman, Straburg's condition is day-to-day, and he is expected to pitch again before the AFL schedule is completed on Nov. 19. Strasburg, a 6-foor-4 right-hander, is 3-1 with a 5.28 ERA in four starts for the Phoenix Desert Dogs, with 17 strikeouts and five walks in 15 1/3 innings. UPDATE: Strasburg's injury occurred while he was sleeping; he awoke and felt soreness in his neck. He was seen by a doctor and was diagnosed with a strained muscle. The Nationals are expecting Strasburg to be back on the mound within a few days.

Storen Takes Toga Yoga Class

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:00:29 -0500

Drew Storen is just a crack-up. I'd like him even if he had no shot of ever being a big league reliever -- and he does, and he will be, and soon. I called him for the column that's running in Saturday's dead tree edition (I'll try to remember to "insert link here" when it's finally online), but with the time difference and my inability to stay awake past sundown, I was having trouble reaching him. He sent me a text message saying he was sorry he missed my call -- if I've heard that once from a pro athlete, I've heard it ... once -- but he was in a "toga class." I couldn't wait to finally talk to him to see if that was a typo. Sadly, it was; he was in yoga class. Fellow Stanford player and Nats draftee player Jack McGeary turned him on to it

A Scout's Take on the Desert Dog Nats

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:57:10 -0500

You might recall that during my frustrating trip in mid-October, it was difficult to get scouts to discuss players because they hadn't had enough opportunities to see them. I called a scout this week to see if I could get some feedback. This scout, by the way, works for an AL team and says he is very impressed with the Nats' offseason moves, particularly the promotion of Kris Kline to director of scouting and the hiring of Ron Schueler as special assistant to the GM. He knows both of them and said they are excellent. Anyway, here's his take on the Baby Nats: Stephen Strasburg "I saw his first game, and he threw pretty well. First time I've ever seen him. He threw a fastball-curve-changeup; he didn't throw any sliders. He has a hard curve, 82, 83 miles an hour. I'm told his slider is a lot harder. His command

Nationals claim Slaten off waivers

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:36:42 -0500

The Nationals today claimed left-handed reliever Doug Slaten off waivers from the Diamondbacks. From the news release: Slaten, who stands 6-foot-5, is 3-5 with 13 holds and a 3.68 ERA in 126 career big league appearances with Arizona spanning four seasons (2006-2009). During his four-year big league career, Slaten has suffered just one blown save, stranded 77 percent of inherited baserunners (60 of 78) and limited left-handed batters to a .322 on-base mark while yielding just four home runs. Slaten's finest season came in 2007, when he posted seven holds en route to a 2.72 ERA in 61 appearances as the Diamondbacks claimed the NL West flag. The 29 year-old Slaten pitched in 11 games for Arizona in 2009, but spent the majority of the season with Reno of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, going 3-2 with nine saves and a 3.09 ERA in 39 appearances. While in the

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Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:36:42 -0500

Knorr to manage Harrisburg Senators

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:05:22 -0500

Randy Knorr will be the next manager of Double-A Harrisburg Senators, replacing John Stearns. From the Nationals' Web site: Knorr spent last season as the [Nationals'] bullpen coach, but [general manager Mike] Rizzo and [interim manager Jim] Riggleman told him his future was as a manager. Knorr said if he had to do it all over again, he would have been more vocal when it came to the pitching staff and have tried his best to convince Josh Bard and Wil Nieves that catching was more important than hitting. "I love managing," Knorr said. "It's a new job. I want to be on the bench." Knorr has a history of success in the Minor Leagues. In 2008, he guided Class A Potomac to a 79-61 record en route to the Carolina League championship. The Nationals have not announced who will replace Knorr as the bullpen coach. In other news, Rick

Nationals hire special adviser to GM

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:35:44 -0500

The Washington Nationals today named Ron Schueler special adviser to the general manager and promoted Bill Singer to director of professional scouting. From the news release: A 42-year baseball veteran, Schueler joins the Nationals after serving the previous two seasons as Senior Advisor of Player Personnel for the San Francisco Giants. Schueler is perhaps best known for an 11-year stint (1990-2000) as General Manager of the Chicago White Sox, during which his clubs compiled an 817-734 record and a .527 winning percentage while finishing first or second in the AL Central or West eight times, including a pair of division titles in 1993 and 2000. In 2000, his final season as General Manager, Schueler's White Sox were named "Organization of the Year" by Baseball America. In addition to his tenure as White Sox General Manager, Schueler has served in various special assistant capacities with the Cubs, Cardinals and Athletics,

Another impressive start for Strasburg

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:49:15 -0500

Nationals No. 1 draft pick Stephen Strasburg struck out six and gave up four hits in five innings as the Phoenix Desert Dogs defeated the Surprise Rafters, 10-2, in Arizona Fall League play today. He threw 68 pitches (43 strikes) and is 3-1 this fall. Here's the box score.

Strasburg impressive in third AFL start

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:37:45 -0500

Yesterday, Nationals prospect Stephen Strasburg held Surprise to one hit for 4 1/3 innings to pick up his second win in the Arizona Fall League, as the Phoenix Desert Dogs beat the Rafters, 7-6, at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. In his previous start, five days ago against Peoria, he was hit hard and often. Here's the story from mlb.com.

Nationals make more front office moves

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:38:21 -0500

The Washington Nationals have named Kasey McKeon director of player procurement and Jay Robertson as special assistant to the gen- eral manager. McKeon has spent the previous seven seasons with the Colorado Rockies as assistant to the general manager for GM Dan O'Dowd. McKeon previously worked for Cincinnati, Cleveland and San Diego in various scouting positions. He is the son of longtime baseball manager and executive Jack McKeon. Robertson spent the previous eight seasons as special a ssistant to the general manager with the Texas Rangers, under John Hart (2002-05) and Jon Daniels (2006-09). Previously, Robertson spent 11 seasons with the Cleveland Indians, which included serving as special assistant to GM Hart from 2000 to 2001. The Nationals continue seeking to fill their vacant managing job, which is currently held on an interim basis by Jim Riggleman.

Acta hired by Cleveland

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:54:06 -0500

The Cleveland Indians have hired Manny Acta as their manager, according to the Associated Press. The former Nationals manager signed a three-year contract with a club option for 2013, team spokesman Bart Swain said Sunday. Additional terms were not disclosed. Acta was fired by the Washington Nationals in July. The Indians chose him after a second round of interviews over former New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine and Indians Triple-A manager Torey Lovullo. The team also had been expected to interview Dodgers hitting coach Don Mattingly. "We are very excited to have Manny Acta on board as our major league manager," Indians general manager Mark Shapiro said in a statement. "After speaking with an impressive array of candidates, we feel that Manny is a very strong and experienced leader who possesses great energy and enthusiasm along with tremendous communication skills and a positive mindset that will command a presence in

Strasburg hit hard in second AFL start

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:05:43 -0500

Stephen Strasburg, making his second professional experience, dealt for the first time in years with the experience of getting rocked. In Thursday's Arizona Fall League game between Strasburg's Phoenix Desert Dogs and Phoenix Javelinas, Strasburg went 2-2/3 innings, allowing eight runs, seven earned, and three home runs. He gave up seven hits, walking one and striking out four. How jarring was this performance, which came in the Desert Dogs' 9-6 loss? In 15 starts and 109 innings earlier this year with San Diego State, Strasburg allowed just 16 total earned runs. He surrendered four homers during his entire junior season. For Strasburg, the Washington Nationals' No. 1 overall pick, this appearance reinforced some basic truths. A high fastball, no matter how hard it's thrown, doesn't fool anybody. Strasburg's fastball ranged in the high-90s -- he threw at least once that hit 99 mph -- but that pitch, as well as

Valentine, Melvin among candidates for Nats job

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:34:03 -0500

As their managerial search gains traction, the Washington Nationals have compiled a list of candidates that includes Los Angeles Dodgers bench coach Don Mattingly and former big league managers Bobby Valentine and Bob Melvin. Mattingly told reporters on Tuesday that he's been approached by the Nationals, who are interested in an interview. Sources both within and outside the organization confirmed the interest in Valentine and Melvin, though certainly the team's list goes deeper than three. Read more here.

Report: Nats ask for permission to interview Mattingly

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:52:12 -0500

The Nationals have asked the Los Angeles Dodgers for permission to interview hitting coach Don Mattingly for their vacant managing job, Mattingly told AOL Fanhouse on Tuesday. According to the report, Mattingly said the Nationals "are on a different timetable" than the Indians -- who have already interviewed Mattingly by phone for their open position -- and will wait until after the World Series to begin the interview process in earnest. Mattingly is widely considered to be Joe Torre's heir to the Dodgers' managing job, but told AOL Fanhouse he wouldn't pass up another opportunity. "When opportunity knocks," he said, "you've got to break down the door."

Play-By-Play of Strasburg's AFL Debut

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:36:33 -0500

If you do a Google News search for "Stephen Strasburg," the top headlines vary only in their verbs. "Strasburg wins his professional debut." "Strasburg dazzles in professional debut." "Strasburg shines in pro debut in Arizona Fall League." "Strasburg pitches the best game in baseball history in pro debut." (OK, I made that last one up.) Anyway, I'll just make way for the facts. Strasburg's final line from Friday night: 3-1/3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 50 pitches, 32 strikes. He hit 99 mph with his first pitch, and picked up the win on account of the generous AFL scoring rules. Here's the play-by-play, passed along by Nats PR man John Dever. Inning 1 - 19 pitches 6-3 groundout (full count) K swinging K swinging Inning 2 - 14 pitches Walk (8 pitches) 6-4-3 DP (Buster Posey batting) 3U groundout Inning 3 - 11 pitches 1-3 comebacker