June 18, 2013

World Series or Bust–Washington Nationals 2013 Roundtable Part V: Prospect Watch

March 27, 2013 by

With opening day right around the corner, each day until then District Sports Page’s Nats staff will take a look at one of the biggest issues concerning your 2013 Washington Nationals. We borrowed a quote for the title of the series from Nats manager Davey Johnson’s Spring Training proclamation that he expects a “World Series or Bust” in Natstown this season.

We’ve also invited the other credentialed blogs to chip in with their answers. Then on Opening Day, look for the results to the DC Chapter of the Internet Baseball Writers Association Preseason Survey, where we polled The Natosphere on various topics related to the Nats, as we have for the last several seasons.

Participants:

Dave Nichols, Editor-in-Chief, District Sports Page
Alyssa Wolice, Staff Writer, District Sports Page
Ted Starkey, Contributor to DSP, author and Editor at SBNation.com
Ryan Kelley, DSP Prospects Writer and founder of BaseballNewshound.com
Patrick Reddington, Editor, Federal Baseball
Joe Drugan, Managing Editor, The Nats Blog
Tom Bridge, Editor, WeLoveDC.com

Part I: Grading the Offseason
Part II: What do you expect from Bryce Harper?
Part III: What aspect of the Nats has you most excited for the coming season?
Part IV: What aspect of the Nats has you most concerned?

Part V: Which prospect are you most looking forward to following this summer? [Read more...]

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Washington Nationals make more cuts: Rendon, Perez, Skole & more

March 14, 2013 by

The Washington Nationals made another round of cuts Thursday morning before hosting the Houston Astros at Space Coast Stadium, bringing the spring roster down to 42.

The club optioned outfielder Eury Perez to AAA-Syracuse and right-handed pitcher Nathan Karns, catcher Sandy Leon and infielder Anthony Rendon to AA-Harrisburg. Additionally, the Nationals re-assigned left-handed pitcher Pat McCoy and infielders Will Rhymes and Matt Skole to minor league camp.

Rendon put together a very impressive big league camp. The 22-year-old third baseman went 12-for-32 (.375/.412/.875) with four home runs, four doubles and 11 RBIs while with the Nats this spring. He accumulated 28 total bases in 13 games.

Perez, 22, went 8-for-23 (.348/.375/.348) with four runs scored, two stolen bases and no extra-base hits.

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Washington Nationals 2013 Season Preview: The Infield

February 7, 2013 by

This week, District Sports Page will take a look at the players that should comprise the 2013 roster of the Washington Nationals. Following a record-setting season last year that saw the Nats finish first in the N.L. East and advance to the playoffs for the first time since the relocation, GM Mike Rizzo has tweaked the roster a bit and expectations have never been higher for the organization, which is expected to be a legitimate World Series contender this season.

On Monday we broke down Nationals’ starters, Tuesday we evaluated the bullpen and Wednesday we looked at the outfielders. Here now is a preview of the infield.

PROJECTED OPENING DAY INFIELD: 1B–Adam LaRoche, 2B–Danny Espinosa, SS–Ian Desmond, 3B–Ryan Zimmerman. Bench: 2B/SS Steve Lombardozzi, 1B/3B Chad Tracy. First callups: 3B Carlos Rivero, 1B Chris Marrero, 2B Will Rhymes. On the Farm: 3B Anthony Rendon, 1B/3B Matt Skole, SS Zach Walters [Read more...]

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NATS: 2013 NatsFest Details

January 16, 2013 by

Washington Nationals fans should check the website for updated information as all player appearances and activities are subject to change.

Ryan Zimmerman and fan at 2010 NatsFest (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Ryan Zimmerman and fan at 2010 NatsFest (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Nationals fan at 2010 NatsFest (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Nationals fan at 2010 NatsFest (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo answering fan questions at 2010 NatsFest (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo answering fan questions at 2010 NatsFest (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

WASHINGTON NATIONALS ANNOUNCE 2013 NATSFEST DETAILS

Event to take place Saturday, January 26 from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. at
Washington Convention Center

The Washington Nationals today released new details about 2013 NatsFest, taking place for the first time at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Saturday, January 26, 2013.

More than 25 Nationals players and prospects are expected to attend the fun-filled baseball festival, including but not limited to*: Corey Brown, Tyler Clippard, Ian Desmond, Ross Detwiler, Danny Espinosa, Christian Garcia, Gio Gonzalez, Brian Goodwin, Bryce Harper, Nathan Karns, Steve Lombardozzi, Ryan Mattheus, Tyler Moore, Michael Morse, Ryan Perry, Anthony Rendon, Will Rhymes, Matt Skole, Drew Storen, Kurt Suzuki, Chad Tracy, Jayson Werth and Jordan Zimmermann.

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo and Mark Lerner, one of the team’s Principal Owners, as well as team broadcasters Bob Carpenter, F.P. Santangelo, Charlie Slowes and Phil Wood will also be in attendance. In addition, Nationals fans will have the first opportunity to meet two of the team’s latest additions, Dan Haren and Denard Span. Please note that all autograph vouchers are SOLD OUT; autograph voucher holders are encouraged to visit nationals.com/natsfest for important information.

Open to fans of all ages from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m., NatsFest will offer a variety of activities including:
o Q & A sessions with players and coaches on topics including ‘Preparing for Games’ and ‘Life on the Road’

o Opportunities to take photos with players and team mascots

o A special Jr. Nats Kids Forum featuring Player Story Times and Kids Press Conferences

o The chance to learn about the team’s innovative virtual ticketing system

o Games, interactive events and surprises

The event will also feature:
o Live broadcast by 106.7 The Fan, the team’s official flagship radio station

o Opportunities to purchase the latest Nationals merchandise as well as game-used and autographed memorabilia

o Batting cages, inflatable games and 2012 trophy display

o D.J. Stylus Chris spinning music throughout the day

o Concessions for purchase

NatsFest will also offer fans the first opportunity to purchase individual and group tickets to see the Nationals take on the New York Yankees in a special preseason exhibition game on Friday, March 29 at 2:05 p.m. Tickets for NatsFest are currently on sale for Season Plan Holders at $15 for adults and $5 for children under the age of 12, and for the general public at $20 for adults and $10 for children under the age of 12 and can be purchased at nationals.com/natsfest.

Fans planning to utilize Metro’s Red Line to attend NatsFest are encouraged to add at least 20 minutes to their planned travel time due to scheduled weekend track maintenance. For directions and parking, visit the Convention Center website at www.dcconvention.com.

*All player appearances are subject to change

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NATS/P-NATS: Skole, Karns and Meyer Nominated for 2012 MiLBY Awards

October 5, 2012 by

Congratulations to Matt Skole, Nathan Karns and Alex Meyer. Fans can vote online up to 25 times until October 22.

Alex Meyer – Winston-Salem Dash v. Potomac Nationals, 8/12/2012. (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Nationals minor league players of the year Matt Skole and Nathan Karns live on scoreboard with Clint before 3rd inning – Miami Marlins v. Washington Nationals, 9/7/2012. (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

P-NATS TRIO NOMINATED FOR 2012 MiLBY AWARDS
Skole up for “Offensive Player of the Year”; Karns and Meyer for “Starting Pitcher of the Year”

Woodbridge, VA— The Potomac Nationals are proud to announce a trio of nominations for the 2012 MiLBY Awards. P-Nats finalists include slugger Matt Skole, proposed for “Offensive Player of the Year,” as well as right-handed hurlers, Nathan Karns and Alex Meyer, nominated in the same category for “Starting Pitcher of the Year.”

The 8th Annual MiLBY Awards, hosted by MiLB.com, allow fans to cast their ballot for the best players, performances, plays, promotions, and more from the 2012 season. Twelve nominees have been selected in each award category.

The official categories for the MiLBY accolades include: Play, Moment, Home Run, Offensive Player, Starting Pitcher, Relief Pitcher, Breakout Prospect, Game, Team, Promo, and Photo.

Voting has already begun and fans can vote up to 25 times per email address through October 22nd by heading to MiLB.com. Head online to: http://www.milb.com/news/awards/y2012/index.jsp to visit the MiLBY Awards election headquarters to vote for Matt Skole’s offensive prowess, and to pick either Nathan Karns or Alex Meyer as the best starting pitcher in the Minor League landscape.

3B Matt Skole (5th Round, 2011) tore up the South Atlantic League in 2012 (led circuit with 27 HR and .574 SLG%) and was promoted to the Carolina League on August 14th where he hit .314 in 18 games for the P-Nats, collecting 10 doubles and 12 RBIs. Skole was named the 2012 SAL Most Valuable Player and 2012 Washington Nationals Player of the Year for his career season which featured the third-most four-baggers in MiLB and a .989 total OPS for the campaign.

RHP Nathan Karns (12th Round, 2009) was stellar in 2012, going (11-4) on the year, while posting an organizational-best 2.17 ERA in 24 games and 18 starts between Single-A Hagerstown and Class-A Advanced Potomac. Karns fanned the most batters in the organization (148 strikeouts) and collected the 2nd most wins among Nationals farmhands. Karns was honored as the Washington Nationals Pitcher of the Year.

RHP Alex Meyer (1st Round, No. 23 Overall, 2011) began the season as the Washington Nationals’ 6th best prospect per Baseball America and did not disappoint. Meyer dominated across both class-A levels, going (10-6) with a 2.86 ERA in 25 starts, while striking out 139 hitters in 129.0 IP. During his tenure as a member of the P-Nats pitching arsenal, Meyer surrendered just one earned run or less in six of his seven outings after being selected to pitch in the prestigious prospect showcase, the MLB Futures Game during the MLB All-Star Game festivities at Kauffman Stadium.

The Potomac Nationals are the Class-A Advanced Minor League Affiliate of the Washington Nationals. For season tickets or corporate sponsorship inquiries call 703-590-2311 or visit www.potomacnationals.com.

Photo Courtesy of Potomac Nationals

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Washington Nationals Honor Top Minor Leaguers Matt Skole and Nathan Karns

September 8, 2012 by

Former Hagerstown Suns third baseman Matt Skole and right-handed pitcher Nathan Karns were named the 2012 Washington Nationals Organizational Player and Pitcher of the Year, respectively.

Washington Nationals minor leaguers Matt Skole and Nathan Karns were honored for their accomplishments throughout the 2012 season during an on-field ceremony at Nationals Park prior to the Washington’s game versus the Miami Marlins on Friday night, September 7, 2012.

Skole and Karns had a full day at Nats Park. The pair were interviewed by media and were part of the MASN pre-game show.

Skole and Karns were also interviewed live on the scoreboard by Clint before third inning. Skole and Karns both tweeted about being in DC and enjoying their time here. Skole even tweeted during the game, “What a great night at Nationals park. Very honored to be a part of this organization.” They seem like two great character guys as well as players, which is exactly Mike Rizzo’s style.

Nationals minor league players of the year Matt Skole and Nathan Karns live on scoreboard with Clint before 3rd inning – Miami Marlins v. Washington Nationals, 9/7/2012. (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Skole, 23, was also voted the South Atlantic League’s (SAL) Most Valuable Player. In 17 games with Potomac, the Woodstock, Georgia, native is batting .324 (22-68) with 10 doubles and 12 RBIs. Overall, Skole is batting .292 with 28 doubles, 27 home runs and 104 RBIs in 118 games.

Karns, 24, dominated the SAL in his 11 games (5 starts) with the Suns before also earning a promotion to Potomac. The hard-throwing righty went 3-0 with a 2.03 ERA and two saves over 44.1 innings pitched for Hagerstown. The Arlington, Texas, native held SAL hitters to a .148 batting average, conceding just 23 hits, while striking out 61 batters in 155 at-bats (39%). Overall, Karns finishes his 2012 campaign with an combined record of 11-4 with organizational-bests in ERA (2.17) and strike outs (148) over 115.2 innings pitched this season.

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NATS/SUNS: Washington Nationals Name Matt Skole and Nathan Karns as Organizational Players of the Year

September 4, 2012 by

Washington Nationals minor leaguers Matt Skole and Nathan Karns will be honored for their accomplishments throughout the 2012 season during an on-field ceremony at Nationals Park prior to the Washington’s game versus the Miami Marlins on Friday night, September 7, 2012.

Nationals named Matt Skole as the Organizational Player of the Year – Chicago Cubs v. Washington Nationals, 9/3/2012. (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Suns Stars Sweep Nationals’ Top Minor League Awards
Nationals name Suns standout 3B Matt Skole organizational Player of the Year, Nathan Karns Pitcher of the Year

Hagerstown, MD – The Hagerstown Suns, in conjunction with the Washington Nationals, are proud to announce that former Suns third baseman Matt Skole and right-handed pitcher Nathan Karns have been named the 2012 Washington Nationals Organizational Player and Pitcher of the Year, respectively.

Skole, 23, earns the Nationals’ organizational Player of the Year Award less than a week after being voted the South Atlantic League’s (SAL) Most Valuable Player.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound, third baseman was promoted to the Advanced-A Potomac Nationals after serving as one the South Atlantic League’s (SAL) most dynamic offensive threats in 101 games with the Suns. He batted .286 with league-leading totals in home runs (27), walks (94), slugging percentage (.574) and on-base percentage (.438) at the time of his promotion. Skole ranked second in RBIs (92) while leading SAL sluggers by averaging one home run every 12.70 at-bats. His 27 round-trippers are the most by any Nationals minor leaguer this season and third most in all of Single-A baseball.

Skole, selected by the ‘Nats in the fifth-round of the 2011 draft, was named a Northern Division Mid-Season and Post-Season All-Star and was also a finalist in the Home Run Derby contest during the SAL’s All-Star festivities in Charleston, SC, in June. In 17 games with Potomac, the Woodstock, Georgia, native is batting .324 (22-68) with 10 doubles and 12 RBIs. Overall, Skole is batting .292 with 28 doubles, 27 home runs and 104 RBIs in 118 games.

Karns, 24, dominated the SAL in his 11 games (5 starts) with the Suns before also earning a promotion to Potomac. The hard-throwing righty went 3-0 with a 2.03 ERA and two saves over 44.1 innings pitched for Hagerstown. The Arlington, Texas, native held SAL hitters to a .148 batting average, conceding just 23 hits, while striking out 61 batters in 155 at-bats (39%).

Since joining Potomac, the 6-foot-5, 230-pound, hurler amassed an 8-4 record to go along with a stingy 2.26 ERA in 13 starts, including one complete game. From June 15th through August 2nd, the Nats’ 12th-round pick in 2009 went 8-0 in nine starts for the P-Nats, en route to his current total of 87 strike outs and 26 walks over 71.2 innings pitched.

Overall, Karns finishes his 2012 campaign with an combined record of 11-4 with organizational-bests in ERA (2.17) and strike outs (148) over 115.2 innings pitched this season.

Skole and Karns will be honored for their accomplishments throughout the 2012 season during an on-field ceremony at Nationals Park prior to the Washington’s game versus the Miami Marlins on Friday night.

The Suns will host the Greensboro Grasshoppers in game one of the Northern Division Championship Series (best-of-three) at Municipal Stadium on Wednesday, September 5th, at 7:05 p.m. For tickets and more information, call 301-791-6266, or visit www.hagerstownsuns.com. The Hagerstown Suns are owned by Hagerstown Baseball, LLC.

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Washington Nationals Minor Leaguer Matt Skole Named South Atlantic League MVP

August 30, 2012 by

Matt Skole Named South Atlantic League MVP
Led Sally League in Homers, Walks, On-Base and Slugging Percentages

COMMENTS FROM MATT SKOLE

(WOODBRIDGE, VA) – Current Potomac infielder Matt Skole has been named the Most Valuable Player of the South Atlantic League. He still leads the Sallu League in home runs, walks, on-base percentage and slugging percentage.

A 2011 5th Round Pick, Skole played in 101 games for the Suns hitting .286 with 27 home runs and 92 RBI. Despite leaving the league on August 14th with more than three weeks remaining in the season, Skole still paces the circuit in home runs, walks (94), on-base percentage (.438) and slugging (.574). He also stole ten bases without being caught for the Suns.

“I’m very honored that the coaches and the voters felt that I deserved that award,” said Skole. “It’s a very prestigious award and I can’t say enough thanks to Brian Daubach my manager in Hagerstown and Mark Harris the hitting and infield coach who just helped me throughout the season.”

Combined with his time with Potomac, Skole is hitting .291 with 102 RBI which ranks in the top ten in all of MiLB. He is just the third Washington farmhand to ever reach the century mark of runs batted in. Skole also ranks second in MiLB with 97 walks. The 23-year old from Woodstock, GA is in the top 25 of Minor League Baseball in HR, OBP and slugging as well.

The 27 homers for Skole are currently tied for the third most ever for a Washington minor league player. His 102 RBI rank third all-time for a single season behind Jason Martinson this season and Tyler Moore’s 2010 Carolina League MVP season.

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Washington Nationals Minor League news: Rendon, Skole promoted

August 14, 2012 by

Anthony Rendon – Winston-Salem Dash v. Potomac Nationals, 8/12/2012. (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

As we reported last night, 3B Anthony Rendon has indeed been promoted to AA-Harrisburg. [Read more...]

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NATS/SUNS: Alex Meyer Named South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week

June 20, 2012 by

Top Nats Prospect Alex Meyer named South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week for June 11-17, 2012. (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Meyer Named Pitcher of the Week, Skole Reaches Derby Finals
Suns starter earns first SAL weekly honor, Skole bids for Home Run King honors tonight

Hagerstown, MD – The Hagerstown Suns, Single-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, are please to announce that starting pitcher Alex Meyer has been named the South Atlantic League (SAL) Pitcher of the Week for June 11-17, 2012. Meyer is the first Suns player to be selected as a player or pitcher of the week this season.

The 6-foor-9, 220-pound, right-hander earned the honor by going 1-0 with a 1.64 ERA in two starts, including a complete game (6.0 IP) shutout victory over the Hickory Crawdads. In his second start of the week, the Nationals’ first-rounder struck out a career high nine batters in a no-decision against the West Virginia Power. In total, Meyer racked up 14 strike outs over 11 innings pitched, while walking just three batters and allowing two earned runs in his two outings combined.

Meanwhile, Suns All-Star third baseman Matt Skole advanced to the finals of the South Atlantic League Miller High Life Home Run Derby on Monday afternoon from the flight deck of the USS Yorktown in Charleston (SC) harbor. Skole, who is tied for the SAL lead in home runs with 14, will participate in the championship round of the derby later this afternoon at 5:30 p.m. prior to the start of the 53rd SAL All-Star Game, which begins at 7:30 p.m.

The Suns will begin their second half schedule at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday, June 21, at Municipal Stadium against the Lakewood BlueClaws. A Thirsty Thursday, presented by Benny’s Pub, will kick-off a four-game home-stand on Civil War Weekend.

Suns individual game tickets, season tickets, mini-plans, and group packages are on sale now. For more information and to reserve your seat at Municipal Stadium, call 301-791-6266, or www.hagerstownsuns.com. The Hagerstown Suns are owned by Hagerstown Baseball, LLC.

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