Cavalli joins Nats in Miami, Millas blasts grand slam
WASHINGTON -- There was a familiar face in the Nationals' clubhouse this weekend. Right-hander Cade Cavalli was back with the Nats amid his recovery from Tommy John surgery. Cavalli, who is rehabbing at the Nats’ training complex in West Palm Beach, Fla., met the club in Miami during its series
Rookie Alu notches bevy of MLB firsts in all-around great day
WASHINGTON -- Three days after the debut, the firsts came flooding in. Rookie Jake Alu recorded his first Major League hit, stolen base, walk and defensive web gem all on Friday night in the Nats’ 3-2 loss to the Mets at Nationals Park. “Great day,” said manager Dave Martinez. “He
Remember him? Darren Baker makes jaw-dropping stop
For many of us, the first thought that comes to mind when we hear the name Darren Baker is of a 3-year-old boy being rescued at home plate by Giants first baseman J.T. Snow during Game 5 of the 2002 World Series. Baker, serving as San Francisco's batboy, was a
Nats recall first big league experiences
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After long trip, Alu able to share MLB debut with loved ones
SAN FRANCISCO -- Judy and Phil Alu had just completed their two-hour trip back home to New Jersey from Scranton, Pa. -- where they had watched their son, Jake Alu, homer for the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings on Sunday -- when the phone rang. Jake was FaceTiming. He asked his
Irvin shows poise, goes long for 1st MLB win
SAN FRANCISCO -- Jake Irvin had five days to let the newness sink in. Since his Major League debut last Wednesday at Nationals Park, he traveled with the team to Phoenix and then on to San Francisco, where he took the mound on Monday for his second big league start.
'It's pretty awesome': Irvin thrilled after solid MLB debut
WASHINGTON -- Jake Irvin walked into the Nationals' clubhouse on Wednesday afternoon, stood steps from his locker to get his view in frame, snapped a photo to share with his family and sat down to soak in his new surroundings. He was 3 1/2 hours away from the moment he
Abbott makes case for callup with dominant Triple-A outing
WASHINGTON -- Triple-A Rochester Red Wings right-hander Cory Abbott dominated with 12 strikeouts in 5 2/3 scoreless innings against the St. Paul Saints on Friday. Abbott had a no-hitter going through five frames. He gave up a double in the first at-bat of the sixth, and he finished the outing
This Nats prospect is learning a new position
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Wood living up to hype in Nats' farm system
WASHINGTON -- The Nationals' top prospect is posting some top numbers. Center fielder James Wood, who also is ranked by MLB Pipeline as the No. 15 overall prospect, entered Sunday hitting .526 (10-for-19) in his last five games with the High-A Wilmington Blue Rocks. This stretch includes one double, one
Hassell embarks on first full season in Nats' system: 'I felt great'
This story was excerpted from Jessica Camerato’s Nationals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox. Outfielder Robert Hassell III has gotten his first full season with the Nationals underway in Fredericksburg. The Nats’ No. 2 prospect -- and MLB’s
Where the Nationals' Top 30 prospects are starting season
With the Minor League season opening this week, here's where the Nationals’ Top 30 prospects are projected to start:
- James Wood (MLB No. 17), OF -- Wilmington (High-A)
- Robert Hassell III (MLB No. 35), OF -- Injured (hand)
- Elijah Green (MLB No. 46), OF -- Fredericksburg (Single-A)
Nats rookies relish their Major League debuts
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Young stars Green, Hassell, Wood rising for Nats
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Just four years ago, a homegrown trio of star position players helped lead the Nationals to the only World Series title in franchise history. Now as they try to rebuild, they hope history will repeat itself. Yes, they have a ways to go to reach
'A blessing': Nats' No. 3 prospect learning from big leaguers
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- In a typical Spring Training, very little happens that’s accidental. So it’s no coincidence that Elijah Green has regularly received invitations to slide over from Minor League camp to join the Nationals’ big league squad for games this spring. Green, the No. 5 pick in
Cavalli even-keeled ahead of Tommy John surgery
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Cade Cavalli still has plenty of questions after learning that he needs reconstructive elbow surgery, and not a lot of answers. But as he prepares to embark on the toughest challenge of his still young life as a pitcher, he has one thing: a strategy.
Breaking down the next steps for these prospects
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Infielder Jake Alu turns 26-years-old next month, and he finished last season in Triple-A. Outfielder Jeremy De La Rosa just turned 21 in January, and he reached High-A in 2022. They are in different stages of their careers, but both have shown potential to be
Consistency key for Wood at first Nats camp
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Manager Dave Martinez penciled James Wood's name into the starting lineup on Thursday ahead of the Nationals' exhibition game against Team Israel. While it remains to be seen how long it will be before the Nats’ No. 1 prospect (per MLB Pipeline) is in the
A look at Alu: Get to know Nats No. 27 prospect
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Next wave of Nats prospects eyeing 'special year'
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- While the Nationals are getting a look at some of their big league-ready prospects -- such as Cade Cavalli, Thaddeus Ward and James Wood -- this spring, many of their up-and-coming top prospects are prepping over in Minor League camp. Two of those players are
Cavalli delivers electrifying display of potential
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- With a plethora of young arms to stretch out this spring, the Nationals have been opting for Cade Cavalli to come out of the bullpen, at least until they’re ready for the 24-year-old prospect to start and go some distance. Taking the mound behind starter
Here are the Nationals' 2023 Top 30 prospects
Call them the new-look Nats. The organization that traded superstar Juan Soto at last year’s Trade Deadline better have a farm system worth boasting about (and worth pulling a blockbuster off for), and the rebuilding Nationals are on their way there. Washington’s top two prospects entering 2023 -- James Wood
Downs showcases elite defense with incredible grab
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- With his interest sparked early in camp, Nationals manager Dave Martinez penciled Jeter Downs into the starting shortstop spot for the split-squad home opener on Sunday. “He’s intriguing,” Martinez said Sunday morning before the Nationals’ 3-2 walk-off win over the Astros. “So far, I like
Nats prospect Rutledge on his MLB heroes, secret talent and more
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Right-hander Jackson Rutledge has been one of the Nationals’ top pitching prospects since he was drafted with the 17th overall pick in 2019. After battling injuries early in his Minor League career, Rutledge made 20 starts with Single-A Fredericksburg last season. He finished the year
It's 'go time' for Ward, batboy turned Rule 5 Draft pick
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Before Thaddeus Ward walked into a Major League clubhouse as a big league prospect, he stepped into one for the first time as a batboy in 2004. When a childhood friend asked Ward if he wanted to fill in for a day during Spring Training