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Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER Frigid conditions in Viera forced everyone to bundle up. |
OK, enough about the weather. As for today's workout...
-- Stephen Strasburg's latest bullpen session drew its usual level of attention, from team executives and media alike. All pitchers threw for 12 minutes today (up from eight the first time they took the mounds). Strasburg appeared to be working extensively on his breaking ball, the devastating slider/curveball hybrid that ate alive hitters in college and the Arizona Fall League. Today, though, the elements ate him up a bit. Pitching directly into the teeth of the wind, Strasburg regularly bounced the pitch in front of catcher Wil Nieves, who nonetheless kept offering words of encouragement. Pitching coach Steve McCatty also had positive words for the rookie right-hander afterward. "I said, 'Hey, don't worry about it,'" McCatty said. "'You're not going to make the team today anyways. Just relax and get your throwing in.'" I know some out there are questioning whether all this attention and coverage of Strasburg is overkill, and I get that. I really do. One guy who has yet to even throw a pitch in the minor leagues should not get this kind of treatment. But then listen to what else McCatty said today: "Everybody's talking about how good his stuff is. We might be underestimating it. It's pretty unbelievable." This kid is a different animal, and as such, he's going to be covered differently than anyone else. That's just the way it is.
-- Adam Dunn has been doing extensive defensive work at first base the last week with Tim Foli and Pat Listach. Listening to Dunn talk about it today, it's clear he's committed to making serious strides at a position he had only minimal experience at prior to last summer. "This is definitely a fresh start for me," he said. "I'm really having to learn a new position for me. I know I've played it before, but I never learned it. Now, as far as my footwork and things like that, it's learning a new position. That's exciting, and it's been fun so far."
13 comments:
I wasn't a real big Dunn fan when we signed him last offseason, but I have really grown to like and respect him as a player. Hope he can become a serviceable first baseman and they lock him up for a few more years.
Glad Dunn won't be lumbering around the outfield anymore. He looked like a sasquatch out there.
LOL! Nice pic.
Thanks for the Strasburg update. I do understand about the coverage.
Go get 'em, Dunner!
They could save some money if they used snowballs in this weather!
One thing that UZR can't really measure is just Dunn's sheer size and how many errors he prevents. Speaking as a former infielder who threw plenty of balls across the diamond at first basemen who were 5'10" its a huge relief knowing that i can airmail a ball and a 6'6" guy can just reach up and grab it.
Dunn dove after balls last year, extending his range and showing his athleticism. I was surprised to see his range factors so low. Hopefully he shines in his new role because if he does he might very well sign here long term.
(though honestly, it makes so much sense for Boston to sign him as their David Ortiz in waiting that Washington would be silly not to consider the possibility if the right prospect package gets presented).
I just think anyone with the athleticism to have Mack Brown want him to QB the Longhorns will be able to make himself into a good fielding first baseman. Looking for, and fully expecting, some significant improvement from Dunn at 1B this year.
Jaxpo Nat - I couldn't agree with you more. I wasn't a big fan when they signed him, love the signing now and am impressed with the effort he is putting in to make himself a viable 1st baseman.
I'm not a big fan of Dunn, don't dislike him but don't love him either. I guess I would be more impressed if he'd really put in the time getting his defense together before now. Why would a big leaguer wait 9 years into his career before he really started working hard on his defense? I guess better late than never, but I really hate watching him at first. I miss Nick!!!
we *all* missed nick the last three years. he was awesome in 2006.
I also didn't like that the Nats were going after Dunn, but I really didn't know much about him...only what I heard on TV and read in the paper. I have come to really like him now. I must say I was surprised he did as well as he did at first base last year. I would like to see him become a better than average defensive player so maybe he will surprise me again this year. I really liked Nick also and I really hated to see him go.
from what I understand Adam calls it "feetwork" and he should learn the position. I don't understand why he is being praised to learn a job he is going to be doing all season. He has plenty of room to improve. even to get to "just average".
I really worry about our pitchers throwing in cold weather. Long time ago (around 1966) I tried out for the University of Virginia baseball team as a pitcher and I was trying to impress the manager (Jim West) by throwing hard. I hurt my arm in the cold weather and I could not even throw the ball ten feet. I made the team anyway but never got to suit up for a game. I blame the cold weather for ruining my chances and I just cringe when I hear about players throwing the ball in cold weather.
Pete said...
Glad Dunn won't be lumbering around the outfield anymore. He looked like a sasquatch out there.
I thought Dunn was better than Willingham. The stats didn't show it but Dunn didn't lose 3 balls in the lights then the moved him to RF on 9/25 and he lost 1 in the lights in RF.
Great move getting Dunn to 1st base. Willingham is the guy I am most worried about in the OF.
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