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Washington Nationals News: Nats to call up Mat Latos in September

By Pablo Roa

May 31, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Mat Latos (38) pitches against the New York Mets at Citi Field. The White Sox defeated the Mets 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 31, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Mat Latos (38) pitches against the New York Mets at Citi Field. The White Sox defeated the Mets 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Today’s District Daily has more on the Washington Nationals calling up Mat Latos in September, and whether or not we should be concerned about Lucas Giolito‘s velocity.

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.

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In today’s Daily, MLB.com’s Bill Ladson discusses the Nationals reportedly deciding to call up Mat Latos in September. As Ladson writes, Latos could have opted out of his contract today. Instead, he’ll be joining the Nationals’ big league pitching staff when rosters expand Sept. 1.

Also in today’s Daily, the Washington Post’s Chelsea Janes discusses whether or not we should be concerned about Lucas Giolito’s velocity. As Janes writes, the Nats’ top-prospect has been averaging in the low-to-mid 90s with his fastball, after hitting 98 mph last season.

For Giolito, the issue isn’t velocity. Here’s what he had to say about the importance of locating his pitches and where he went wrong in his last start, via Janes’ article:

"“I can pitch at 93 if I’m hitting my spots and mixing up well,” Giolito said. “I think I left way too many fastballs up over the middle of the plate. Those are the ones that got hit pretty hard, so the velocity I don’t think is a huge deal as long as I’m pitching the way I should be pitching, which I didn’t do.”"

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.

Source: Nats will call up Latos in September

(Bill Ladson, MLB.com)

WASHINGTON — Right-hander Mat Latos is expected to join the Nationals once the Major League rosters expand to 40, a baseball source confirmed to MLB.com.

The Nationals have not confirmed the report.

Latos, who had a chance to opt out of his Minor League deal on Monday, will likely pitch one more game for Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday against Pawtucket before joining the Major League club, the source said. Read full article here.

Should anyone be concerned about Lucas Giolito’s velocity?

(Chelsea Janes, Washington Post)

Lucas Giolito threw 98 miles per hour during two scoreless innings in the 2015 Futures Game, and the baseball world nodded in unsurprised approval. Everyone knew about the 6-6 right-hander, one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, with an elite fastball and uncommon curveball. Everyone expected the mid-to-high-90s fastball they got from him that day.

Next: Washington Nationals at Phillies Preview (8/29-8/31)

A season later, as he made his fourth major league start Sunday against the Rockies, he never broke 95. Murmurs began. Tweets flew. What happened to 98? After four up-and-down outings in his first major league opportunities, is something wrong with the 22-year-old? Cue prospect paranoia. Then dial it down. Read full article here.

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