Majors: Organization Reports: Washington Nationals: 2009

Nationals Take On Manhattan Project
Nov. 5, 2009
Righthander A.J. Morris wasn't ready for the Big 12 when he arrived at Kansas State. Three years later, he was an All-American and a fourth-round pick by the Nationals. [...] Continue Reading »

Mock Trial
Oct. 20, 2009
Garrett Mock pitched in multiple roles this season on his way into the Nationals' rotation. [...] Continue Reading »

Nationals Final Report
Sep. 17, 2009
Catcher Derek Norris put together another standout season in his low Class A debut. [...] Continue Reading »

New Team, New Pitch
Aug. 25, 2009
Aaron Thompson, who the Nationals received at the deadline for Nick Johnson, had the best changeup in the Marlins system last year. However, a cut fastball has become Thompson's best pitch. [...] Continue Reading »

Back To Backyard
Aug. 10, 2009
Ian Desmond reached Triple-A after relaxing and letting his natural instincts take over. [...] Continue Reading »

New Man
Jul. 27, 2009
Since reworking his arsenal in the middle of last season, righthander Erik Arnesen has been a changed man. A 17th-round pick in 2006 out of Division III Grove City (Pa.), where he pitched for four years, Arnesen reached high Class A last season and won the Carolina League title-clinching game for Potomac. [...] Continue Reading »

Nationals Midseason Report
Jul. 13, 2009
Lacy Lusk selects midseason award winners for the Nationals system, designating prospects in the Best Player, Biggest Leap Forward and Biggest Disappointment categories. [...] Continue Reading »

A No-Brainer At No. 1
Jun. 9, 2009
The Nationals choice at No. 1 was easy with San Diego State righthander Stephen Strasburg, and add Stanford closer Drew Storen with the No. 10 pick. [...] Continue Reading »

True To Form
Jun. 1, 2009
The Nats scooped up California native Brad Meyers before the Angels could get him in the draft, and the former Loyola Marymount righthander has thrived in two seasons. [...] Continue Reading »

Unsafe At Any Speed
May. 28, 2009
Tom Millone has shot through the system with an 87 mph fastball and above-average command. [...] Continue Reading »

Staying Focused
May. 15, 2009
A smarter, and shorter, approach at the plate has paid off for Danny Espinosa. [...] Continue Reading »

A Little Off
May. 1, 2009
Craig Stammen struggled last season in Triple-A. Turns out he didn't have to change too much to find success. [...] Continue Reading »

Backstop Buddies
Apr. 15, 2009
The Nationals had been thin in catching prospects before Adrian Nieto and Derek Norris cracked the club's Top 10 this spring. [...] Continue Reading »

International Nationals
Mar. 31, 2009
Not all the news from the Dominican Republic is bad for the Nationals, as a group of developing pitchers was bound for minor league camp. [...] Continue Reading »

Hicks Arrives
Mar. 6, 2009
Nationals 2008 fourth-round pick Graham Hicks is one of spring's early arrivals. [...] Continue Reading »

Winter To Remember
Feb. 19, 2009
Before Ponce brought in reinforcements for the Caribbean Series, 22-year-old righthanded reliever Chris Lugo enjoyed an unforgettable postseason outing. He pitched 2 2/3 perfect innings in his one Puerto Rican League playoff appearance, and more significantly he had that success with Ivan Rodriguez as his catcher. [...] Continue Reading »

Weight Gain
Feb. 8, 2009
Nationals pitching prospect Nova adds weight over the winter. [...] Continue Reading »

Schooling The GCL
Jan. 27, 2009
2007 first-round draft pick Jack McGeary fires through learning experiences [...] Continue Reading »

Back On Track
Jan. 12, 2009
Free of health issues, Nationals outfielder Leonard Davis is back on track [...] Continue Reading »

Getting On The Fast Track
Dec. 9, 2008
Will Atwood, perhaps the organization's most impressive pitcher during instructional league this fall, is finding out that his curveball doesn't have to work from 12 to 6 for him to be effective. [...] Continue Reading »