'Best game I've ever pitched': Herz joins Nats legend with 13-K, zero-BB outing
WASHINGTON -- Rookie left-hander DJ Herz made history on the mound at Nationals Park in the Nats' 4-0 win over the Marlins on Saturday. Herz, the Nats’ No. 12 prospect per MLB Pipeline, joined Stephen Strasburg as the only pitchers with 13-plus strikeouts and zero walks in one of his
Gray, Cavalli making small strides in rehab process
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MLB's No. 4 prospect Wood returns to full practice
WORCESTER, Mass. -- James Wood gathered with his teammates in shallow left field two hours before the Triple-A Red Wings took on the WooSox at Polar Park. A pregame routine he has gone through countless times in his pro career had an extra feeling to it on Wednesday. “It was
How Herz got the call to the Major Leagues
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Herz makes a few memorable moments in MLB debut against Mets
WASHINGTON -- Nationals lefty DJ Herz released a large exhale while he warmed up ahead of a very big Tuesday night. He was going up against an experienced Mets lineup in his Major League debut. “He’s got good stuff, we told him to just attack the strike zone,” manager Dave
Here are the top 10 pure-hitting prospects in the Minors
What exactly is a pure hitter? It’s a term that many discuss, but few define. On last week's Pipeline Podcast, Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo detailed what a pure hitter is and took it a step further by ranking the top 10 pure-hitting prospects.
Parker delivers vs. NL East rival, earns 4th MLB win
ATLANTA -- In a pitching matchup between a seasoned MLB veteran and a rookie making his eighth big league start, it was the latter who earned the “W” in the box score. Nationals No. 20 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, Mitchell Parker carved up Atlanta hitters while the Nationals hammered the
Get to know Nationals top prospect James Wood
James Wood has vaulted up prospect rankings since the moment he was selected in the second round of the 2021 Draft. He certainly made himself familiar with baseball fans earlier this year when he slugged four home runs in Spring Training. The 6-foot-7 outfielder is knocking on the door of
Wood's eye-popping season -- by the numbers
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Wood making case for Nats debut with jaw-dropping numbers
WASHINGTON -- James Wood is mashing home runs and posting jaw-dropping numbers in Triple-A. The Nationals offense is struggling. The question buzzing around is, when will the No. 5 overall prospect make his Major League debut? “Soon,” manager Dave Martinez said pregame on Monday. “He’s got to develop a little
Minor League Player Spotlight: Nats' James Wood
James Wood entered the season with one goal on his mind -- finding consistency in his game. After a bit of a roller coaster season last year, the 21-year-old just wanted to create continued success on the field. Early on in 2024, it's safe to say: so far, so good.
Wood stays red hot with two more homers at Triple-A
It's become glaringly clear over the past few years that the future in the nation’s capital is bright. The Nationals took a step forward in 2023 and are improving again this year with a young core led by CJ Abrams and MacKenzie Gore. Not to mention that Washington has a
Nos. 10-11 prospects towering over Single-A competition
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Here are the top 10 closer prospects in the Minors
The role of the reliever continues to evolve in baseball, but there’s still something to be said about closers. They’re the ones who get the entrance music and the light show just for coming out of the bullpen in the biggest of spots. (Think of what Edwin Díaz has done
Parker breezes through 7 scoreless frames to help Nats shut out Astros
WASHINGTON -- Mitchell Parker had set the stage with his MLB debut, earning his first career win against the Dodgers -- who boast one of the most star-studded lineups in the Majors. He was asked once more to face a star-studded lineup for his home debut -- and the second
Minor Leaguer pulls off feat not seen in The Show since 1986
It’s often said that you never know when you’re going to see history when you walk into a ballpark. That much was true for those in attendance at Virginia Credit Union Stadium on Wednesday afternoon, and it was the kind of history that could go easily unnoticed, particularly in the
Parker's family 'speechless' after gem in LA debut
LOS ANGELES -- It’s hard to imagine a taller task for a first Major League start than what Mitchell Parker was given on Monday night. Called up to pitch in place of the injured Josiah Gray, Parker was charged with taking on the Dodgers -- and on Jackie Robinson Day
Upon further review, Crews clubs first Double-A grand slam
Before rounding out a trot for his second home run of the season, Dylan Crews thought he only had a double. Roping a line drive off the top of the wall in left field on Sunday, MLB’s No. 7 prospect came to a stop at second base and watched a
Power? Vibes? This Nats' prospect 'the guy for that'
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Nats' No. 4 prospect connects on first pro homer
Through his first five games of the season, Yohandy Morales didn’t connect on a hit for extra bases. The Nationals’ No. 4 prospect had three hits in 17 at-bats, but it took one swing in the back end of a doubleheader for Double-A Harrisburg on Saturday to break that drought.
Wood launches his first two Triple-A home runs
Truth be told, James Wood would much rather go yard twice than hit for the cycle. So everything worked out just fine for MLB's No. 14 overall prospect on Thursday in the end. Wood teed off on his first two long balls of the year, racking up season highs with
From watching eclipse to catching in MLB, Millas makes '24 debut
SAN FRANCISCO -- Drew Millas had just finished observing the solar eclipse in Rochester, N.Y., on Monday when his phone rang. The monumental event was followed by monumental news: Millas was being promoted again from the Triple-A Red Wings to the Nationals. “Skip [manager Matthew LeCroy] made sure I saw
Crews launches first Double-A homer on 4-hit, 4-RBI night
It took Dylan Crews one at-bat to equal his hit output from his first three games of the season. It took him two plate appearances to surpass it ... and MLB's No. 7 prospect didn't stop there. Crews hammered his first Double-A homer during a four-hits and four-RBI night in
Fans' Guide to MiLB Opening Day
Triple-A Opening Day arrived across the country -- from Syracuse to Sacramento and many stops in between -- last Friday. Now the Double-A, High-A and Single-A levels will begin play. In other words, the season is in full swing. As is tradition around these parts, let’s get you ready for
Minor League teams prepare for total solar eclipse
This is an excerpt from the latest edition of the Ben's Biz Beat Newsletter, bringing Minor League Baseball business and culture news to your inbox each and every Thursday. Check out the full newsletter HERE. On Monday, April 8, a total solar eclipse makes its way across the country, moving