Nats pitcher Collin Balester had a nice throwing session with a pair of minor leaguers today, and tomorrow he'll pitch with new teammate Matt Capps for the first time. In crucial news, Collin has really worked on his moustache in the offseason. It's getting to Rollie Fingers proportions. Collin told me, "I like to twist the sides with some moustache wax. When someone looks at your face and they have trouble recognizing you with the crazy moustache that is where it is going to be...

The Winter Caravan kicked off Wednesday as the Nats greeted fans in Virginia. Nats Top 10 pick pitcher Drew Storen signed autographs and posed for photographs with fans at Hard Times café in Arlington, alongside pitcher Ryan Speier, shortstop Danny Espinosa and manager Jim Riggleman. I sat down with Storen and he talked about his upcoming first spring training with the Nats, the rookie education program he attended as the Nats representative, and what he's done since...

I got the chance to speak with Nationals prospect shortstop Danny Espinosa as the Nats Winter Caravan rolled through Virginia. Espinosa is working hard preparing for spring training and had a very busy summer, logging 160 games between the minors and the Arizona Fall League. Danny sat down with me during the Nats stop at Hard Times Cafe in Arlington, Virginia (love the Cincinnati Chili 3-way with some fresh diced tomatoes, but I digress). Espinosa talked to me about his 160-game effort...

The 17-year old catching phenom Bryce Harper made his collegiate debut Friday night in Henderson, Nevada as the College of Southern Nevada beat Arizona Western 11-4. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, five members of the Nationals scouting department were on hand including Bob Boone, Roy Clark and scouting director Kris Kline. The Review-Journal reported there were 40 scouts at the game and 100 at the practice Thursday. Harper started at third base and went 1-for-3 with two RBIs and...

At Sunday's NatsFest I had a chance to talk with one of the newest Nationals, pitcher Brian Bruney, who came over from the New York Yankees. Bruney was 5-0 with a 3.92 ERA in 44 games with the Yankees last season. Bruney went in-depth as to why he likes the Nats and what he wants to change in the way he approaches the game. He also talked about being a part of NatsFest and meeting the Nationals fans and teammates, his impression of Pudge Rodriguez and what he thinks of his new...

Nationals reliever Ryan Speier comes over from the Colorado Rockies looking to make the opening day roster for 2010. Speier is a local boy, who went to West Springfield and Radford University. He is excited to get started and attempt to crack the lineup. "This is huge for me and my family," Speier said. "When I was talking to my agent during free agency, there were three teams that were in the mix and we had no idea that I was even on the Nationals' radar." "When the Winter...

The Nationals have agreed to a deal with veteran second baseman Adam Kennedy. Kennedy has played with the Cardinals, Angels and Athletics. Nats manager Jim Riggleman remembers dealing with Kennedy when he was the minor league field coordinator for the St. Louis Cardinals. "Adam is a professional hitter," Riggleman said. "He is a talented player. Adam can do a little of everything. He can hit. He can run the bases. He can play second very well. He is an all around player and will...

Last week the Nationals signed second baseman Adam Kennedy to shore up the middle infield for the 2010 season. Mike Rizzo has said he would like to sign one more veteran starting pitcher to finish up the off season changes. A lot of talk last week centered around the possiblity of signing a second baseman and if that did not come to fruition, one scenario had the Nats starting the season with Cristian Guzman and Ian Desmond as the double play combination. Now with Kennedy signed, where does...

Two weeks into the season and a very good start for Bryce Harper at College of Southern Nevada. The Coyotes are a perfect 8-0 and have outscored opponents 60-17. Bryce has played catcher and third base. Harper is hitting .323 in 8 starts, 10-31 with 3 doubles, 1 triple, 2 homers and 9 RBI. His slugging percentage is a team-leading .677 with 5 BB and 4 K and he has a .977 fielding percentage with just one error. Here is a game-by-game recap from last week for the College of Southern...

Another update on 17-year old collegiate baseball phenom Bryce Harper who is playing for the College of Southern Nevada. He is batting .323, 10-31 with 2 HRs and 9 RBI. The Coyotes are off to a very good start at 8-0. Bryce's baseball coach Tim Chambers on the latest with Bryce and Southern Nevada: "The team has done really well. It was pretty crazy the first week with 40 scouts in attendance for that first game." In the opening week, "Bryce played good. His first game he hit a sac...