Washington Nationals News: What’s wrong with Felipe Rivero?
By Pablo Roa
Today’s District Daily has more on Felipe Rivero’s struggles and some Washington Nationals prospects who are tearing it up in the minors this season.
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, the Washington Post’s Chelsea Janes discusses what might be wrong with Nationals reliever Felipe Rivero. As Janes writes, Rivero has struggled mightily in the month of June after being one of the team’s most reliable relievers early in the season.
Opposing hitters have been hitting the ball with ease against Rivero of late, and the left-hander is struggling to strike out batters with his usually-dominant fastball. As Janes writes, the source of Revere’s problems on the mound might be a lack of confidence.
Rivero surrendered six runs in the eighth inning last night, which ultimately led to a 7-3 loss for the Nationals.
Here’s what Baker said about improving Rivero’s confidence, via Janes’ article:
"“That’s easier said than done,” Baker said. “We’ve all been talking to him, trying to put him in a positive state of mind. If we knew what to do, I’d bottle it and he wouldn’t have gone this far. We’ve just got to give him some support, give him some love basically, and say hey man, we’re with you.”"
Also in today’s Daily, CBS DC’s Brian Tinsman discusses some Nationals prospects who have begun to heat up over the last few weeks. As Tinsman writes, several Nationals prospects — including Lucas Giolito and Kelvin Gutierrez of Double-A Harrisburg — have been tearing it up in the minors this season.
Be sure to check out both article below, they’re definitely worth a read. And as always, stay tuned to DoD for all your Washington Nationals needs.
What’s wrong with Felipe Rivero?
(Chelsea Janes, Washington Post)
SAN DIEGO — After he allowed six runs in the eighth inning Saturday night, which pushed his puzzling June numbers to read 16 batters retired, 17 allowed to reach base safely, Nationals left-hander Felipe Rivero declined to speak to reporters about what went wrong. Which, of course, left reporters to speculate on what might be the trouble — a dangerous proposition, to be sure.
First, the evidence: Felipe Rivero worked 27 times in April and May, 21 of them without giving up a run. He has allowed runs in five of seven June outings. Saturday night, he did not get crushed. He allowed a solid base hit to left, then a bloop hit to center that Michael A. Taylor nearly caught. If he had, the inning might have proceeded differently. After they hit .200 against his fastball in April and .313 in May, hitters are hitting .667 against his fastball in June. Read full article here.
Prospects Heating Up in Nationals’ Farm System
WASHINGTON — While the Washington Nationals continue a very hot start to the 2016 season, the farm system is also showing signs providing bona fide talent in the future.
Longtime MLB writer Jonathan Mayo put two Nats farmhands on his MLB Pipeline Prospects of the Week Team this week, headlining the team with top overall prospect Lucas Giolito.
Giolito was outstanding in one start for the Harrisburg Senators this week, allowing zero earned runs over seven innings, with just four hits, one walk, and 12 strikeouts. Read full article here.