Matt Grace must be able to get both left- and right-handed hitters out

Left-hander Matt Grace enjoyed a pair of stints with the Nationals in 2015. He was up with the big club and appeared in games first in April and May, then again in September and October.

Grace went 2-1 with a 4.24 ERA in 26 appearances. He allowed earned runs in only four of those games.

Grace said at Winterfest he understood the reason why he had to be sent down the first time and appreciated the huge opportunity to pitch in the majors, an opportunity not given to every prospect.

"As you make your first appearance up there, that's kind of how it is with options and everything," Grace said. "That's just how it's going to be. It was awesome to get up there and awesome to contribute a little bit that first little stint. Thought I was able to get in there and at least be a part of some wins and pitch in some pretty high-leverage situations.

"It was an awesome experience. Love being here, love being in the city. Obviously, as a team, it didn't go the way we wanted it to go, but just looking forward. (With) a new staff coming, I think we just kind of go from here and hopefully I will try to contribute out of the 'pen."

The 27-year-old Grace believes finally getting the shot to pitch for the Nationals has changed his offseason focus and ratcheted up his hunger to stay with them for a full campaign next season.

"It does change your mindset," Grace said. "I think once you get a taste of what it's like in the big leagues and you finally reach that point that (you'll) do anything possible to get back there and stay there, it's a huge privilege, it's a huge honor. Everything you worked for getting there just makes everything worth it. At this point, it's all in on trying to be as good as I can."

Grace said he has also pinpointed what he will need to do to be more consistent in his outings: Focusing on what he does well is always at the top of that list.

"It's really just staying with your game plan and knowing what makes you successful and not trying to get away from that because there are so many things once you're in the big leagues that you can get distracted by," Grace said. "You have to stay true to what got you there and what makes you successful. I think there are times when I lost sight of that. But talking with (Nationals vice president of player development and pro scouting) Doug Harris and (pitching coordinator) Paul Menhart, trying to get back to focusing on what I do and what makes me individually successful in those situations."

"Stuff is there," Menhart said. "Being able to get both right-handed hitters and left-handed hitters out consistently increases his value. It's pretty simple. Has to get it done."

Grace also understands the business of baseball and realizes that with all of the Nationals' offseason acquisitions, there are more left-handers trying to make this team in 2016. Veteran Oliver Perez joins Felipe Rivero, Sammy Solis and newly protected Nick Lee vying for spots on the 25-man roster.

"I'd love the opportunity to make (the) team out of spring training, and with the additions, it does make it little bit more difficult, but I will focus on everything I can control to getting better and trying to be on the roster opening day," Grace said.