Hill offers praise for Treinen after BP session

VIERA, Fla. -- Nationals catcher Koyie Hill was impressed by what he saw from right-hander Blake Treinen during a live batting practice session on Wednesday.

Hill said Treinen has a great sinker. After the session was done, Hill was heard praising Treinen, who was rated by MLB.com as the 17th best prospect in the Nationals' farm system. Treinen will likely start the season as a starter, but the Nationals haven't ruled out a bullpen role for him.

"It's one of the better [sinkers] around. I know he is a younger guy, experience wise, but he has a special thing there," Hill said. "The only thing he lacks is experience. You almost wish he could hit off himself and see how difficult it is to hit. I hate to over praise, but he has a phenomenal sinker. It's a special sinker. Just to get that through his mind, at no point in count is he in trouble. If he can locate that thing down, it's special."