Fedde is ready to start: "I feel better than I've ever felt"

Right-hander Erick Fedde will get a chance to pitch more innings and deeper into games as he moves up a level this season to high Single-A Potomac.

The Nationals' top selection from the 2014 draft will make his debut today in Wilmington, Del., as the P-Nats face the Blue Rocks.

"I was pretty excited to find out I was coming to high-A," Fedde said this week. "It is something I expected and hoped for, but the Nationals always know what's best. I don't have too much experience in pro ball but I'm glad to be here and ready to go.

"I just want to go out and have good outings every time I'm out there, I guess, live up to expectations. I just want to go out there and pitch my game. If I can go out there and be successful and keep our team in games, that's about as much I could ask for."

Fedde, 23, tossed 64 innings last season between two teams. He made 14 starts, going 5-3 with a 3.38 ERA for short-season Single-A Auburn and low Single-A Hagerstown. He recorded 59 strikeouts and 16 walks. He knows this season will be a ramp up the innings, likely to more than he ever threw at UNLV.

"It's my first full season, so I need to get a lot of innings under my belt," Fedde said. "The most I ever really thrown is about 110 (innings) in college. Maybe this year, start extending that. Being able to live through the wear and tear of a full season. So that's probably the major key for this year."

The parent Nationals will probably monitor his innings, as per usual with their graduates from Tommy John surgery.

"I haven't been told if I'm on an innings count, but I'm sure there's going to be a pitch count for the first couple of starts to make sure we ease into the season," Fedde confirmed. "I'd assume about five innings or so unless I'm cruising."

The biggest change to this season for Fedde is his health, He feels 100 percent healthy for the first time going into a season following the major surgery.

"Oh, by far. I'm closing up on two years out of Tommy John and I'm feeling as good as I ever have," Fedde said. "Last year was a little bit of a struggle, a lot of new pains, new things I've never really experienced. Everyone always told me this year in spring training that you'd be feeling your best and they are totally correct. I feel better than I've ever felt and I'm excited for this year."

Fedde said he believes his fastball is returning to its normal velocity and that he has improved on his slider location during spring training.

"I think my velo is creeping back up," Fedde said. "My biggest thing was the command and maybe the sharpness on my slider, which maybe wasn't really there last year. Just seeing from the guys I'm facing, the swings, talking to catchers, it seems like my stuff is what I remembered it to be."

As for a game plan for the right-hander, Nationals pitching coordinator Paul Menhart has stressed fundamentals for Fedde in 2016.

"It's just about locating all my pitches for strikes, the wear and tear of a full season, getting through it, staying strong throughout," Fedde said. "That's pretty much the main goals for this year, I'd assume. Wherever it takes me, it happens. Whether I move up or stay here, just trying to get through the whole year and throw well."

Moving up to high Single-A also means a very difficult Carolina League schedule where he will face the other seven teams multiple times and in multiple series throughout the summer.

"I've heard a lot about that, where this league will really exploit your weaknesses," Fedde said. "It's cool because I think three of my first four starts are going to be against the Delaware team. It's great learning experience if they hit me around. Players that are successful are the ones that adjust. This league definitely gives you that opportunity."

The P-Nats' game with Wilmington on Saturday was postponed. There will be no doubleheader today, as it has been rescheduled for April 21 at 5:05 p.m.

* The Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs have announced makeup dates for the postponed games from their opening weekend series. The Chiefs and Lehigh Valley IronPigs will now play doubleheaders on April 20 and Aug. 19 at NBT Bank Stadium.

The April 20 doubleheader will start at 4:35 p.m. on a Turning Stone Winning Wednesday. On Aug. 19, a Fireworks Friday, the opener is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. on Lockheed Martin Family Night with a postgame fireworks show after the second game.

The Chiefs return to NBT Bank Stadium for their home opener Monday night against the Buffalo Bisons. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

* Double-A Harrisburg' game Saturday afternoon in Altoona was postponed due to inclement weather. No make-up date has been scheduled. The final game of the series is today at 1 p.m. with right-hander Reynaldo Lopez making his Double-A debut for the Senators against right-hander Tyler Eppler for Altoona.

Following the game Sunday, the Senators make their way to Binghamton to play a three game series beginning Monday night at 6:35 p.m.

The Senators return home for their home opener on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. against the Reading Fightin Phils.