The Nationals re-signed Livan Hernandez this offseason to help mentor the young staff, including Stephen Strasburg. But Hernandez has been more than a mentor. Hernandez has been one of the Nats' most consistent pitchers during the 2010 season. Coming into Monday night's game, Hernandez had a 3.06 ERA in 164.2 innings. Watch the video below to see how Hernandez throws a few of his
Justin Maxwell has played all three outfield positions, mostly center field and right field, during the 2010 season, while being shuttled back and forth between Washington and Triple-A Syracuse. Ray asked Justin to explain how he gets positioned for different hitters throughout the game. Also, Justin talks about defending doubles late in the game. Watch the video below to see what else Justin and
On Friday, the Nats promoted shortstop prospect Danny Espinosa to Triple-A Syracuse from Double-A Harrisburg. Ray Knight and Byron Kerr discuss the talents of Espinosa and the possibility of a September call up for the shortstop. Ray believes that eventually Espinosa could challenge Ian Desmond for the shortstop job in 2011. Watch the video below to hear what else Byron and Ray had to
Derek Norris is a top prospect in the Washington Nationals' farm system, currently playing his games at Single-A Potomac. Byron and Ray ask Derek about his offense and why he uses a wider batting stance. In the video interview below Derek also touched on working with the young pitchers in the Nats farm system and some of the rehabbing pitchers.
Ryan Zimmerman has been very successful against Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Manny Parra. Coming in to Saturday night, Zimmerman was a career .636 hitter against Parra. Ray gives an example on why Zimmerman is so successful and explains what Parra needs to do to begin to get Zimmerman out. Ray shows why Zimmerman is able to hit Parra so successfully in a short tutorial explaining
Ray Knight recently took a closer look at how J.D. Martin throws his curveball to hitters. In Ray's opinion, Martin's curveball is second best on the Nationals to rookie Stephen Strasburg's. In the segment below Ray and Johnny discuss Martin's control and the effectiveness of his curveball. Watch the video for a demonstration and explanation from Ray as to why Martin has such a
For years, New York Mets' starter Johan Santana has been a dominant pitcher in the Major Leagues. Santana has 127 wins against just 65 losses.. This season, Santana is 5-5 with a 3.41 ERA, 73 strikeouts and 35 walks. As Santana has gotten older, he has lost velocity on his fastball, but has begun throwing his changeup more. Ray Knight shows how Santana grips
With Ian Desmond struggling at the plate recently, Ray Knight breaks down what he's been seeing from Desmond in the batter's box. Watch the video below for Ray's explanation of some of the reasons batters can struggle at the plate, as well as Knight's demonstration of how Desmond can get back on track in the batter's box.
Michael Morse has been a bench player for the Nationals, getting mostly pinch hit opportunities and an occasional start, but it doesn't appear as though Morse is having any trouble staying loose during games. Ray talks with Morse to find out how he manages to stay sharp and asks the infielder to break down his approach at the plate.
Taking all the Nats' current starters, injured starters and top minor league starters into account, Ray breaks down where each guy would ideally fit into the Nats' rotation if healthy. We know that Stephen Strasburg has what it takes to be a Major League ace, but where do the rest of the Nats' starters fall into the mix?
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