Ramos impressed by Scherzer on first day (with video, photos)

VIERA, Fla. - It was quite the scene when new Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer took the practice mound next to Stephen Strasburg at the start of today's first official workout for pitchers and catchers.

Fans and media hurried to get a good spot for an early preview of the two fireballers planning to lead the Nats' star-studded rotation.

Wilson Ramos crouched down behind the plate for his first opportunity to catch Scherzer, the 2013 AL Cy Young Award winner. However, he only lasted three or four pitches before a new catcher's mitt forced a quick equipment switch.

"To catch that guy, Scherzer is hard to catch him with a new glove because every pitch is moving a lot," Ramos explained. "So I changed my glove to the old one and tried to be more comfortable. I need to be comfortable behind the plate with that guy. With the new glove, I was just trying to just catch the ball and not receiving the ball. I need to let that guy feel comfortable."

The 6-foot-3 Scherzer delivered a plethora of pitches in his eight-minute session that caught the attention of Ramos.

"Everything's moving," he said with a bit of amazement. "That's impressive. Pitchers like him, not too many in this game."

Nats manager Matt Williams commented afterward that it was good for Scherzer to get a chance to work with Ramos. Ramos will have plenty of opportunities over the next six weeks of spring training to learn all the tendencies of the Nats' new ace.

A healthy Ramos is key to the success of this Nats team, especially given the responsibility behind the plate to manage a game with talented yet different personalities on the mound each night.

"I work to catch 120-130 games," Ramos said Thursday. "That's my goal for this year."

After several trips to the disabled list over the past few years, it would be a major boost for the Nats if Ramos is able to accomplish that objective.

And if he does, he'll know doubt get used to the wicked movement on Scherzer's pitches. Right now, he's happy to share the same uniform colors as him.

"He's a really good pitcher," said Ramos. "I like to be behind the plate and not in front of the plate against him."

Check out the video below of Scherzer and Strasburg throwing in today's first bullpen session, along with some photos from today's first pitchers/catchers workout:

Manager Matt Williams watches the first workout from a golf cart.

Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez jog during Saturday's workout.

Nationals pitchers huddle up before breaking into separate work groups.

Newcomers Casey Janssen and Heath Bell throw during their bullpen session on Saturday.