First full workout features new faces, plus an old familiar one

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The primary practice field outside The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches was filled to capacity this morning, more than five dozen Nationals players, the entire coaching and training staffs, media members and fans alike in attendance for the first full-squad workout of the spring.

It could get a little crowded at times, like when multiple players were tracking down popups purposely launched into no man’s land, the extra players and pitchers having to scramble to get out of the way before getting bulldozed. The good news: The team posted a 100 percent success rate on the popup drill, nary a ball falling to the ground.

Much as manager Davey Martinez was pleased to see that, he was mostly pleased to see how his players looked physically as they reported to camp.

“It was nice to see everybody take to heart what we asked them to do, which was to come to spring training in shape,” he said. “They all look great. The energy was positive, which was amazing. It was a good first day for us.”

Can Martinez tell which guys are ready to go and which guys aren’t, just based on what he sees?

“Oh yeah, you can tell,” he said. “For the most part, everybody’s ready. Some of the pitchers were a little bit behind, so far the position players I’ve seen today, they look good.”

Martinez said every position player in camp should be ready to start playing in games when the Grapefruit League commences Saturday, except for Carter Kieboom. The third baseman is still making his full return from Tommy John surgery and has been limited in some of his throws, though he did make several across-the-diamond throws during today’s workout and continues to increase his workload.

For those wondering about an organizational depth chart, here’s where players did their work when the team took the field this morning:

1B: Dominic Smith, Joey Meneses, Matt Adams
2B: Luis García, Jake Alu, Michael Chavis
SS: CJ Abrams, Ildemaro Vargas
3B: Jeimer Candelario, Carter Kieboom
LF: Corey Dickerson, Stone Garrett
CF: Victor Robles, Alex Call
RF: Lane Thomas

Several infielders worked at multiple positions, with Alu and Vargas also taking grounders at third base and Chavis also working at first base. Call is getting time at all three outfield positions as he tries to crack the Opening Day roster.

In addition to the usual suspects, there was a familiar face back in camp this morning for the first time this spring: Liván Hernández. The man who threw the first pitch in Nationals history and went on to start 129 games while wearing a curly W cap is in town for several days to offer his guidance and experience.

“He’s very knowledgeable,” Martinez said. “He can talk to both the Spanish-speaking pitchers and the American pitchers. Plus, he can also work with catchers. A big focus is having our catchers not set up off the plate as much as they do. He’s a testament to throwing strikes, right? I want him in camp talking to catchers about where to set up, talking to pitchers about not being afraid to throw the ball over the white. He did it his whole career.”

Hernández is sporting a gray-speckled goatee for the first time. “New look!” he exclaimed. “New look!”

Ryan Zimmerman also is scheduled to come to camp for a few days and speak to players. Martinez wants the recently retired Face of the Franchise to talk not only to big leaguers but to the organization’s minor leaguers and top prospects, offering his perspective on what it’s like to play for the Nationals.

“It’s awesome to have those guys in camp,” Martinez said.