Nats running PFP drills at game speed, preaching better results

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The early days of spring training are defined by two time-honored morning drills: Bullpen sessions and pitchers’ fielding practice. The former draws most of the attention, because it’s an opportunity to see pitchers work on their primary craft. But the latter, while mundane, matters quite a bit.

And that’s especially true for the Nationals this spring. After seeing several of their pitchers struggle in the field last season, there is a renewed emphasis on PFPs in this camp.

“Get off the mound, get to the ball and get an out,” manager Davey Martinez said. “We don’t want to see a spectacular play. We just want to see you make the routine play and just get an out.”

Nationals pitchers combined for minus-7 Defensive Runs Saved last season. Only two members of the staff rated higher than 1 DRS: Jake Irvin (6) and Trevor Williams (2). MacKenzie Gore (minus-3), Hunter Harvey (minus-3) and Mitchell Parker (minus-4) all rated near the bottom of the league.

Every team runs through the standard PFP drills every spring. Fielding bunts. Covering first base. Pickoff plays. So the Nats aren’t doing anything revolutionary in that regard.

But there is an emphasis this year on running through those drills at full speed, an attempt to simulate the actual speed of plays that take place during a regular season game.

“I told them all before our first day of camp that I want to see the intensity,” Martinez said. “I don’t want to see you guys come off the mound (casually). Do it at game speed. Get to the ball. Gather yourself. Take your step. Throw the ball. Throw a strike to whatever base you’re throwing to. I want to see that. I don’t want to see you just coming off the mound. And it’s been really, really good.”

The Nationals also intend to add more elements to these drills later in camp when position players arrive. They will have batters and baserunners instructed to run at full speed. They’ll also have a clock visible to everyone to monitor how long it takes them to make a particular play. One of Martinez’s important reminders: Pitchers often have more time than they realize.

“The average runner gets to first base in 4.7 (seconds),” he said. “By the time they get the ball, they should be able to throw the ball over there underneath that.”

This morning’s session was watched closely by both Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo. Two newcomers impressed the most: Shinnosuke Ogasawara and Jorge López. Both looked exceptionally smooth fielding bunts and throwing to both first and third bases, drawing some oohs and aahs from the coaching staff.

Everyone also kept a particular eye on Parker, whose fielding struggles last season became an unfortunate recurring theme. The rookie left-hander was charged with five errors in only 13 official chances and has been told in no uncertain terms he must improve this year.

Parker’s first throw on a bunt attempt today was wide of the bag, but he immediately rebounded with several crisp, on-target throws after that, pleasing the coaching staff.

“I told him last year: ‘You screwed the pooch a couple times because you couldn’t make the play,’” Martinez said. “That’s not going to happen this year. We’re going to make sure you make the play. And we might have you out here taking 50 (extra) balls after you throw. And he’s all for it, because he wants to get better.”