Nationals Agree to Terms with 1B Josh Whitesell and INF Eric Bruntlett on Minor League Deals

The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms with first baseman Josh Whitesell and infielder Eric Bruntlett on 2010 minor-league contracts that include invitations to big league Spring Training. Nationals Senior Vice President & General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Whitesell returns to his original organization, as he was drafted by the Expos in the sixth round of the 2003 First-Year Player Draft. The left-handed hitting Whitesell posted a .346 on-base percentage in 46 games last season with Arizona, and is a career .200 hitter (23-for-115) with seven doubles, two home runs and 15 RBI in 53 career big league contests with the Diamondbacks. Whitesell, 27, has hit 113 home runs and posted .394 on-base and .492 slugging percentages in seven minor-league seasons. Bruntlett joins Washington after playing the last two seasons for the Phillies, with whom he earned a World Series ring in 2008. Bruntlett is a career .231 hitter (182-for-789) with 11 home runs and 72 RBI in 512 games spanning seven seasons with Philadelphia (2008-09) and Houston (2003-07). The 31 year-old Bruntlett sports four years of post-season experience (2004-05 with Houston, 2008-09 with Philadelphia) and defensive versatility (all four infield spots, every outfield position). He batted .171 in 72 games with Philadelphia last season.