Washington Nationals News: Nats option Pedro Severino to Syracuse
By Pablo Roa
Today’s District Daily discusses the Washington Nationals’ latest roster moves and how first base coach Davey Lopes is influencing the team’s base running.
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 the Nationals’ latest roster move this spring. As Collier writes, the team decided to cut catcher Pedro Severino today, optioning the young backstop to Triple-A Syracuse.
Severino saw great success in 16 exhibition games with the Nationals this spring, hitting .438 with two doubles and four runs scored over 16 at-bats.
Here’s what manager Dusty Baker had to say about Severino, via Collier’s article:
"“I love him, I think he’s going to be an All-Star some day,” Baker said. “He’s learning how to hit, he has a great attitude, he blocks well, he runs well for a catcher, he throws well.”"
At 22 years old and climbing fast, Severino has a promising future with the Nationals. He’s the team’s No. 10 prospect right now, according to MLB.com, and there’s a chance we’ll see him in the big leagues at some point this season.
Also in today’s Daily, the Washington Post’s James Wagner writes an interesting story about how new first base coach Davey Lopes is influencing the Nationals’ base running. As Wagner notes, Lopes hopes to make the Nationals more aggressive on the bases — an area where they have struggled in recent years.
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.
Nats send down young catcher Severino
VIERA, Fla. — Nationals manager Dusty Baker had some high praise for catcher Pedro Severino, who was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Friday.
Severino — the team’s 10th-rated prospect by MLBPipeline.com — appeared in 16 games during the Grapefruit League season and batted 7-for-16 (.438) with two doubles and four runs scored. He also impressed Baker with his ability to call a game.
“I love him, I think he’s going to be an All-Star some day,” Baker said. “He’s learning how to hit, he has a great attitude, he blocks well, he runs well for a catcher, he throws well.” Read full article here.
Davey Lopes is changing the Nationals’ minds about base running
(James Wagner, Washington Post)
VIERA, Fla. — On a sunny and windy morning on the back fields of Space Coast Stadium, Davey Lopes gathered the Washington Nationals’ position players at home plate. For the next 40 minutes, he led them through detailed instructions on base running — at each base. The spry 70-year-old jogged around first base a few times to demonstrate how to better run to the bag and take leads.
“Don’t think any of this is insignificant!” he shouted.
That morning, everyone felt like a student, including Manager Dusty Baker and the rest of the coaching staff, General Manager Mike Rizzo and special assistants Dan Jennings, Bob Schaefer and Steve Arnieri. Class with Lopes and his four-plus decades of baseball experience was in session. Read full article here.