Nats instructional league underway (AFL update)

The Nationals instructional league began with the first workout Saturday in West Palm Beach, Fla. The roster includes first-round selections in right-handers Mason Denaburg, Jackson Rutledge and left-hander Seth Romero.

The who's who of the Nationals coaching staff includes coordinators James Goodwin (minor league video), Jeff Garber (co-field/infield), Tommy Shields (co-field), Troy Gingrich (hitting), Michael Barrett (catching), Gary Thurman (outfield/baserunning), Mark Grater (rehab/pitching), Tony Rogowski (strength and conditioning), Jon Kotredes (medical and rehab) and Jeff Allred (assistant medical and rehab).

Affiliate managers on hand include Tripp Keister (Single-A Potomac), Mario Lisson (Rookie-level Gulf Coast League) and Sandy Martinez (Rookie-level Dominican Summer League field coordinator/manager), hitting coaches Luis Ordaz and Jorge Mejia, and pitching coaches Brad Holman and Michael Tejera, as well as GCL assistant coach Adderling Ruiz.

Overseeing the process will be assistant general manager Doug Harris, vice president/senior advisor to the general manager Bob Boone, director of player development Mark Scialabba, senior advisor of player development Spin Williams and director of minor league operations Ryan Thomas. Dianne Wiebe is the manager of Florida operations and JJ Estevez is the manager of minor league operations.

The Nats instructional league team faces the Marlins squad home-and-away in four games on Sept. 23, 25, 26 and 27. The league workouts and instruction will conclude October 4.

Here is the 2019 Nationals instructional league roster:

Pitchers (L = Left-handed pitcher)

Joan Adon
Tomas Alastre
Mirton Blanco
Tim Cate (L)
Matt Cronin (L)
Michael Cuevas
Mason Denaburg
Tyler Dyson
Jose A. Ferrer (L)
Jhonatan German
Niomar Gomez
Pedro Gonzalez
Jake Irvin
Andrew Karp
Lucas Knowles (L)
Andry Lara
Evan Lee (L)
Pearson McMahon
Hunter McMahon
Juan Pascal
Bryan Pena (L)
Malvin Pena
Todd Peterson
Orlando Ribalta
Seth Romero (L)
Jackson Rutledge
Reid Schaller
Fausto Segura
Felix Tavares
Nick Wells (L)
Tyler Yankosky
Eddy Yean

Catchers

Geraldi Diaz
KJ Harrison
Israel Pineda
Frailin Turbi
Onix Vega

Infielders

Jake Alu
Yasel Antuna
J.T. Arruda
Jackson Cluff
Leandro Emiliani
Daniel Hernandez
Gilbert Lara
Junior Martina
Wilfrido Matos
Drew Mendoza
Viandel Pena
Jose Sanchez

Outfielders

Andry Arias
Rafael Bautista
Justin Connell
Jeremy De La Rosa
Daniel Marte
Ricardo Mendez
Roismar Quintana
Jake Randa
Caldioli Sanfler
Eric Senior
Cody Wilson
Jeremy Ydens

Update: Right-hander Sterling Sharp is off to a very good start in the Arizona Fall League. Sharp started for the Surprise Saguaros on opening night and tossed three shutout innings without allowing a hit, with one walk with four strikeouts. Sharp fired 43 pitches, 29 for strikes.

Highly regarded shortstop prospect Luis Garcia went 4-for-5 with two runs scored and a stolen base.

Andrew Lee tossed two scoreless and hitless frames with two strikeouts. Catcher Jakson Reetz had two hits and an RBI. Nick Raquet also fired two scoreless innings, allowing one hit with three punchouts. The Nats pitchers accumulated nine strikeouts while allowing just one hit in seven innings of work with nine strikeouts.

Cole Freeman went 0-for-5 and Nick Banks 1-for-4 in their AFL debuts.

No surprise, the Saguaros beat Glendale 4-2. It was 100 degrees and clear for first pitch.

#Nats No. 13 prospect @DatDude_Ster42 was dat dude on the bump in @MLBazFallLeague action tonight:

3 IP
0 R
0 H
1 BB
4 K

Follow live: https://t.co/Vpi1QtV9hN pic.twitter.com/4iClSapsBA

-- MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 19, 2019