WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- A few opposing scouts have asked Nationals manager Dusty Baker about right-hander Koda Glover during this early stages of Spring Training. Baker has quickly shut down those inquiries.
It was easy to see why, as Glover showed off the variety of weapons in his pitching arsenal and struck out the side during the sixth inning of Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Red Sox. In three Grapefruit League appearances, Glover has tossed three scoreless innings, yielded only one hit and struck out seven.
"We liked Koda last year," Baker said. "We liked him when he came up. We liked his demeanor on the mound. He's all business. He never smiles on the mound out there. He's coming to make this team. I'm very impressed.
"He's opening the eyes of a lot of people around this Grapefruit League. He's been very good."
Glover skyrocketed through the Nationals' system and rose to the Majors after starting the year in Class A Advanced Potomac last season. He had started becoming an important piece of the bullpen before he tried pitching through a torn labrum in his hip that derailed his season. Glover still does treatment and therapy to maintain his health, but for the most part he is past the injury.
Glover enters this spring as one of the favorites to land a spot in the Nationals' bullpen. People around the organization believe he has the qualities to be a future Major League closer. The Nats are trying to fill that role this season, but it might be premature to deem a player who will turn 24 years old in April the closer on Opening Day.
Still, Glover continues to impress and a day like Tuesday, when he struck out Mitch Moreland, Chris Young and Jackie Bradley Jr. in order, only added to his resume.
"It doesn't hurt at all," Glover said. "When you strike three guys out and they're pretty [darn] good hitters, it can't hurt."