Nats Links: Bryce Harper's studly spring
Too bad it isn't regular season yet. Washington Nationals phenom Bryce Harper is off to a stud of a start in the Grapefruit League. In yesterdays 9-5 loss to the Atlanta Braves, Harper went 3 for 3 with two doubles and 2 runs scored. Through the first four games of the Grapefruit League, Harper is 6 for 8 (.667) with 2 doubles and 2 runs.
The game got away from the Nats in the 5th inning. Ryan Perry was hammered for 6 hits, 2 walks, and 5 runs in 1.2 innings ptiched. Ross Detwiler made his spring debut as starter, tossing 2.2 innings and allowing 5 hits, 2 walks, and fanned two batters. Detwiler is gearing up to depart for the World Baseball Classic.
Ian Desmond was 2 for 4 yesterday is is 3 for 6 overall. Anthony Rendon continues to swing an impressive bat, picking up two more hits, including a double. Rendon is 4 for 10 (.400) this spring. The Nats will hook up with Miami this afternoon at 1:05.
Here is more on Bryce Harper's spring tear. Mark Zuckerman also writes on Harper's hot spring.
Recaps: U-T San Diego, Wash Times, CSN Washington,
Nats news links:
We have been keeping you updated in Nats Link on the progress of C Wilson Ramos, as he readys for the season after ACL surgery last year. Ramos has one more hurdle to go. He will be working on sliding. It's just another personal challenge for Ramos.
“It’s more mental,” Ramos said. “I was scared to block, but after blocking I felt great. Now I’m scared for sliding.”
Back in Viera, as he tied his shoes for a morning workout, Jayson Werth was asked if considered the Braves or Philadelphia Phillies a bigger threat. Werth, the former Phillie, did not hesitate.
"Phillies," he said. "I think everybody is writing them off. They played good in September, when they were healthy. They're not going to roll over, that’s for sure."
And about the Braves? "Yeah, the Braves got the Upton brothers," Werth said. "But they lost [Martin] Prado and Chipper.
Ryan Mattheus doesn't care the Nats only have one lefty at prent in the bullpen. He is ready to face left handed hitters. More on Mattheus new role.
Baseball Prospectus thinks Adam LaRoche and Gio Gonzalez arer in for let downs in 2013. This article is via our Bloguin partner, The Nats Blog.
It's the stupid craze. So why not have Nats doing it as well. Here is Jayson Werth and Adam LaRoche doing the Harlem Shake.
Steve Lombardozzi and Tyler Moore are playing alot, but there rosters spots are pretty locked. Not so for Carlos Rivera. He can make the roster, but needs to earn it.
More on the potential spring training move by the Nats. This writer says the move doesn't make sense.
