Reporters Notebook from West Palm Beach (Spring Training Day #4)
The latest headlines, news and analysis from Washington Nationals Spring Training in West Palm Beach.
In today's reporter's notebook, I am going to be focusing on prospects impressing the coaching staff including Martinez.
Weather in West Palm Beach, FL:
According to AccuWeather.com, today's forecast includes some sun followed by increasing cloudiness in the afternoon, accompanied by a few showers. Tonight is expected to remain cloudy with a chance of a couple of showers, and the temperature is projected to drop to a low of 70.
Looking ahead to tomorrow, the weather forecast predicts rain, potentially heavy at times, along with the possibility of thunderstorms affecting the area from tomorrow morning into late Sunday night.
Early Prospects impress at Spring Training
One of the biggest storylines that I will be watching during Spring Training is the play and development of hopefully the future core of the Washington Nationals. Many of them have been invited to participate in their first spring training.
We are all aware of the fact that the Nationals have a great bunch of up and coming prospects that making their way through the Nationals minor league.
The Nats Report reported earlier this month that last year’s second pick of the amateur draft, Dylan Crews, (The Nats Report Prospect Ranking #2) up and coming prospects James Wood, (The Nats Report Prospect Ranking #1 ) Robert Hassell III (The Nats Report Prospect Ranking #11) and Brady House (The Nats Report Prospect Ranking #4 ) are all in West Palm Beach this spring. It looks like Davey Martinez has been impressed with the play of the youngsters early.
It has been reported that Martinez and other Nationals staff have made their way over to batting and field practice fields to watch the future of the Nationals players such as James Wood, Robert Hassell III and Brady House. (According to reports, Dylan Crews and Darren Baker have yet to report to Spring Training.)
“It’s awesome to see those guys,” Martinez said in an media session. “They’re young. Hopefully they’re going to learn a lot this spring, and we’ll get them going. They’re a big part of our future.. … They fit in. They’ve been interacting with a lot of guys out there. We’re not even really in camp yet, and I saw them take infield today and was like, wow.”
Nationals sign two more pitchers to minor league contracts
According to reports, the Washington Nationals singed right-hander Zach Davies and RHP Jacob Barnes both to minor league contracts with invites to Spring Training. Let’s dive right into both of the signings:
RHP Zach Davies
Bio: Zach Davies previously played in Major League Baseball for the Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, and Arizona Diamondbacks. The Baltimore Orioles selected Davies in the 26th round of the 2011 MLB draft. Davies appeared in the All-Star Futures Game in 2015, and later that year was traded to the Brewers.
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right / Throws: Right
Born: February 7, 1993 (Age: 31)
Career Stats
60-58; 4.36 (ERA)
RHP Jacob Barnes
Bio: Jacob Barnes has previously played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, and St. Louis Cardinals.
Bats: Right / Throws: Right
Born: April 14, 1990 (Age: 33)
Career Stats
8-17; 4.76 (ERA)
My friends at Talk Nats (X link) made an interesting observation about the success of Zach Davies against the Nationals over the years which could have been a factor in the signing of the right handed pitcher.
Zach Davies in his career is 4-0 at Nats Park. He pitched an absolute gem in 8 shutout innings in 2017, pitched well in 2016 too, and again last year and one other game. Career ERA in Nats Park is 2.08.
With the signing of these two additional pitchers at least the Nationals now have some extra players to fill out the rotation if needed.
Here is the pitching rotation as of today (in no particular order)
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