Morning Briefing exclusive: Starting Catcher Madness

Ah, we are only two days away from my favorite holiday: Thanksgiving! Who's counting down with me?

Programming note: This will be our last Morning Briefing until after Thanksgiving. I am giving myself the rest of the week off to enjoy time with my friends and family! But don't worry—if there is any breaking Nationals news during the holiday, we will report all of it on X and Bluesky for the latest Nationals news, analysis, and more with our live off-season blog.

Good Tuesday Morning, and welcome to our Morning Briefing, your UNOFFICIAL, official guide to the Washington Nationals. Today is Tuesday, November 26, 2024.

We are now on Day #58 of our Spring Training and Opening Day 2025 countdown!

⏲️ Countdown Clock:

• Pitchers and Catchers reporting (February 12, 2025): 78 Days
• Official start to Spring Training (February 20, 2025): 86 Days
• Washington Nationals first Spring Training Game against the Houston Astros in West Palm Beach (February 22, 2025): 88 Days
• Opening Day against the Philadelphia Phillies (March 27, 2025): 121 Days

Morning Briefing EXCLUSIVE: We are hearing that there will be an open competition at the starting catching position at Spring Training. With multiple talented catchers vying for the starting position, the Nationals' spring training will be an exciting competition to watch. Keibert Ruiz, Riley Adams, Drew Millas, and recently signed C.J. Stubbs are strong contenders with unique strengths. Ruiz's experience and leadership, Adams' power potential, and Millas' athleticism and game-calling abilities will be key factors in determining the starting catcher. Ultimately, the player who performs best in spring training will likely secure the starting role despite the Nationals' current contract with Ruiz.

30,000 ft view. What does this say about the team's confidence in Keibert Ruiz? I guess they don't think they are happy with the play from Keibert over the past two seasons. Could an open competition at catcher help him develop faster and push him into a better catcher? There are plenty of questions surrounding this possible interesting development.

The big questions to think about during Thanksgiving dinner. Who do you think will win the starting catching position coming out of this year's Spring Training? Does it make sense to have an open competition for the starting catching position? All interesting questions with interesting answers are just waiting to be figured out this off-season into spring training.

Congratulations to Washington Nationals MASN TV broadcaster Bob Carpenter for being named the National Sports Media Association's finalist DC Sportscaster of the Year. Other finalists include Alexa Landestoy from Monumental Sports Washington, Joe Beninati from Monumental Sports Washington, John Walton from the Capitals Radio Network, and JP Finlay of NBC 4 and 106.7 The Fan. Winners will be notified during the first week of January 2025, and awards will be presented during the NSMA's 65th Awards Weekend & National Convention, June 28-30, 2025, at Grandover Resort & Spa in Greensboro, N.C. SEE YOU LATER!

Did you know we are having our annual Black Friday - Cyber Monday sale on all Nats Report+ subscriptions? Yes, it is true; we are offering our biggest sale ever on all Nats Report+ subscriptions: 40% off monthly and 20% off yearly subscriptions! It's a great way to help us create more amazing content for the 2025 season! We have a lot of great things lined up for this season. So help us today by subscribing to Nats Report+! This sale is only until Cyber Monday. Subscribe today! (Tell your friends and family during your holiday festivities!)

Do you play MLB the Show? Are you a gamer? Do you like to play MLB the show? Well, in the 2025 edition, there will be 50 new legends "who are eligible to be added to the game." Forbes has the latest on the new release: "...While most fans will be focused on the new additions to Diamond Dynasty, especially with the removal of Sets and Seasons, as well as what we hope to see in the way of improvements in Road to the Show and Franchise, the new legends will arguably make the biggest splash." (Read the full article here and to see the list)

Top TEN Washington Nationals Prospects. Well, we are nearing the end of listing our top ten Washington Nationals prospects for the 2025 season! Here is #3:

What the Washington Nationals Front Office is Reading (we think!)

• Juan Soto has offers from 5 teams, a source confirms the report by Randy J Miller via New York Yankees beat writer for NJ.com (NJ.com) (five teams: Boston Red Sox; Los Angeles Dodgers; New York Mets; New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays)
• Tampa Bay Rays will play 47 of first 59 at home, then 69 of the last 103 on the road via ESPN
• Rhys Hoskins Reportedly Is Preventing Brewers From Signing Former MVP After Opting In
• MLB's Qualifying Offer system is broken. Can it be fixed? via Call to the Pen

Nats Stat of the Day:

Here is today's Nats Stats for Tuesday, November 26, 2024

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