Washington Nationals News: Dusty Baker to give regulars more playing time
By Pablo Roa
Today’s District Daily features stories on Dusty Baker‘s plan for regulars this spring and new Washington Nationals minor leaguer Michael Brady.
Good evening DoD readers, and welcome to today’s District Daily. Get caught up on the latest Nats news and opinions with some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web below.
In today’s Daily, MLB.com’s Jamal Collier discusses Dusty Baker’s plan for regular players during exhibition matches this spring. As Collier writes, Baker plans to give players like Anthony Rendon and Bryce Harper more playing time this spring to get them ready for Opening Day.
"“I know how to get guys ready for the season,” Baker said, via Collier’s article. “Get their endurance up without hurting them.”"
Also in today’s Daily, the Washington Post’s Chelsea Janes tells the unlikely story of new Nationals minor leaguer Michael Brady — a soon-to-be 29-year-old who began his pitching career just six years ago.
As Janes writes in her article, Brady was originally drafted as a defense-first infielder who was never really known for his skills at the plate. After failing as a minor league infielder, Brady decided to make a major career change at 23 years old — he abandoned being an infielder and decided to try pitching.
Six years later, Brady is pitching in big league camp with the Nationals. The 28-year-old, who was acquired in the Yunel Escobar trade that also brought Trevor Gott to the Nationals, isn’t likely to make the big league club out of spring training. But as someone who has only been pitching for six years and has turned some heads among the Nationals’ scouting staff, it’ll be interesting to see how he continues to develop in 2016.
Be sure to check out both articles below, they’re definitely worth a read. And as always, stay tuned to DoD for all your Washington Nationals needs.
Baker to give regulars more playing time
LAKELAND, Fla. — The Nationals brought most of their starting position players to Joker Marchant Stadium for Wednesday’s game against the Tigers, the first road trip of the spring for players such as Bryce Harper, Jayson Werth and Anthony Rendon.
Most of the regulars had been playing about every other day, but manager Dusty Baker said he plans to give his starters a lot of playing time the next few days, in an effort to stretch them out in advance of the season. Read full article here.
He started pitching six years ago. Now nearly 29, he’s throwing fastballs for the Nationals.
(Chelsea Janes, Washington Post)
VIERA, Fla. — The Washington Nationals are not quite sure what they have in right-hander Michael Brady, the lesser-known of the two pitchers they acquired from the Los Angeles Angels for Yunel Escobar. Brady doesn’t know exactly what the Nationals are getting either.
Light-hitting college infielders drafted in the 24th round do not normally end up pitching in major league spring training at nearly 29 years old as Brady has.
“If you had asked me a few years ago if I’d be in this clubhouse as a pitcher,” Brady said. “I’d say no way. That’s crazy.” Read full article here.