District Daily: With Mike Rizzo in charge, expect the unexpected
By Pablo Roa
Good morning DoD readers! Start off your day with some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web in our District Daily:
With Mike Rizzo in charge, expect the unexpected in Washington Nationals’ offseason
(Thomas Boswell, Washington Post)
We may think we know what Mike Rizzo will do this winter, but we don’t have a clue. The Washington Nationals general manager aims higher, breaks more rules of thumb and operates further outside baseball’s normal thought boxes than almost anyone in the game.
Former Nats president Stan Kasten preached at him that “money is fungible” — meaning you can spend it on anything, not just the players your home fans currently love. His dad, a lifelong scout, told him, “Don’t fall in love with your own players.” His years in player development taught him that adding a star in hand is worth three hot prospects in the bush. His whole track record yells, “Buy low, sell high.” Read full article here.
Top performances, prospects from 2014 Fall League
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Arizona Fall League is known as baseball’s finishing school because it has graduated a ton of talent to the Major Leagues since it began play in 1992. The AFL has produced 212 All-Stars, including 35 in this year’s Midsummer Classic, 25 Rookies of the Year, 13 MVPs and five Cy Young Award winners.
Based on the quality of the talent in the AFL this year, more big leaguers and stars are on the way. The league wrapped up its 23rd season on Saturday, with the Salt River Rafters outlasting the Peoria Javelinas, 14-7, for their fourth title and first since 2011. Read full article here.