Welcome to the offseason edition of the Nationals Beat newsletter. This is your stop for the latest on and off the field, from news to exclusive player interviews and insights, brought to you by MLB.com club reporter Jessica Camerato. |
WASHINGTON -- Pack your bags, it’s almost time to head to West Palm Beach, Fla.
Spring Training opens this week 1,000 miles south of Nationals Park, where the Nats will build their roster for the 2024 season. Let’s take a look at key things to know before camp starts.
When is the first workout for pitchers and catchers? Wednesday, Feb 14.
What is the date of the first full-squad workout? Feb. 20.
Where is the team’s facility? The Nationals play at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, located at 5444 Haverhill Road in West Palm Beach. (More on the renaming of the complex below.)
Can fans attend workouts? Yes.
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Who are some new faces fans should know? Veteran first baseman/outfielder Joey Gallo, third baseman Nick Senzel and right-hander Dylan Floro signed Major League deals this offseason. Expect to see Gallo and Senzel in the starting lineup and Floro pitching out of the bullpen.
Who are some of the top prospects invited to Major League camp? Outfielder Dylan Crews (Nationals' No. 1 prospect and No. 7 in MLB), outfielder James Wood (Nationals' No. 2 prospect and No. 14 in MLB), third baseman Brady House (Nationals' No. 3 prospect and No. 48 in MLB), outfielder Robert Hassell III (Nationals' No. 8 prospect) and infielders Trey Lipscomb (No. 14) and Darren Baker (No. 25) will be in big league camp.
When is the team’s first Grapefruit League game? The Nationals open Spring Training action on Feb. 24 in a home game against the Astros, with whom they share the ballpark.
What are a few other notable spring games? The Nationals take part in Interleague action on Feb. 28 vs. the Red Sox, March 2 at the Red Sox, March 10 at the Twins and March 21 vs. the Twins.
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What is Spring Breakout and when is the game? Spring Breakout is a showcase of top prospects around the league, taking place March 14-17 in Cactus and Grapefruit League action. The Nationals will play their Spring Breakout game on March 15 on the road against the Mets in Port St. Lucie, Fla., as Game 1 of a doubleheader at 3:10 p.m. ET.
Will Nationals games be broadcast? A total of 19 Spring Training games will be broadcast on MASN, 106.7 FM The Fan, The Team 980, 1580 AM and Nationals.com. Of those, seven will be aired on MASN and there will be 16 radio broadcasts. Click here for the complete schedule.
When is the club’s last game in Florida? The Nationals wrap up Spring Training on March 24 on the road at the Mets. Their West Palm Beach finale is March 23 in a split-squad game against the Marlins.
Will there be any additional exhibitions before the regular season? The Nats will debut the On Deck: Nationals Futures Game prospect showcase on March 26 at Nationals Park.
What are the details for Opening Day? The Nationals begin the 2024 season in Cincinnati on March 28 at 4:10 p.m. ET. Following a three-game series at Great American Ball Park, Washington will host its Home Opener on April 1 at 4:05 p.m. ET against the Pirates.
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2024 MINOR LEAGUE COACHING STAFFS |
The coaching staffs for the Nationals' Minor League affiliates were announced on Friday afternoon. New staff members are denoted with * and staff role changes are marked by **. Triple-A Rochester Red Wings Manager: Matt LeCroy Hitting: Brian Daubach Pitching: Rafael Chaves Development Coach: Billy McMillon Athletic Trainer: Eric Montague Strength & Conditioning: Mike Warren Performance Analyst: Daniel Minter Double-A Harrisburg Senators Manager: Delino DeShields Hitting: Jeff Livesey* Pitching: Rigo Beltrán* Development Coach: Oscar Salazar Athletic Trainer: Don Neidig Strength & Conditioning: Ryan Grose Performance Analyst: Samantha Unger
High-A Wilmington Blue Rocks Manager: Mario Lisson Hitting: Delwyn Young** Pitching: Mark DiFelice Development Coach: Mark Harris Athletic Trainer: Kirby Craft Strength & Conditioning: Brandon Pentheny Performance Analyst: Paul Sirena
Single-A Fredericksburg Nationals Manager: Jake Lowery Hitting: Mike Habas* Pitching: Justin Lord Development Coach: Carmelo Jaime Athletic Trainer: Jacob Meyer Strength & Conditioning: Nathan Sier Performance Analyst: Josh Freligh
Florida Complex League Manager: Luis Ordaz Hitting: Ender Chávez Pitching: Franklin Bravo Development Coach: Destin Hood Athletic Trainer: Nitfrancis Marrero Strength & Conditioning: RJ Guyer
Dominican Summer League Field Coordinator/Manager: Sandy Martinez Hitting/Outfield/Baserunning: Freddy Guzman Hitting/Infield: Rafael Ozuna Pitching: Feliberto Sanchez** Assistant Pitching: Niomar Gomez* Latin America Training Coordinator: Manny Moore Athletic Trainer: Isaac Adornetto* Strength & Conditioning: Santo Del Rosario
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NEW SEASON, NEW BALLPARK NAME |
In collaboration with multi-platinum, diamond-certified and Grammy-nominated artist Travis Scott, the Nationals and Astros announced a multi-year deal in which their Spring Training ballpark will be renamed CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Scott, a Houston native, is the owner of the CACTI Hard Seltzer brand.
“With the official U.S. launch of CACTI coming, I am psyched to be partnering with the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals for CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches,” Scott said in a statement.
Prior to the Nationals and Astros Spring Training opener on Feb. 24, the teams will host a ribbon-cutting and ceremonial first pitch by Scott. Inside the ballpark, fans will notice a complete rebrand with CACTI.
“We are pleased to partner with CACTI Hard Seltzer and the people behind the brand to continue offering our guests a first-class experience,” Alan H. Gottlieb, chief operating officer of Lerner Sports Group, said in a statement. “This relationship will ensure that CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches remains a top entertainment destination, attracting individuals from around the area for sporting events, concerts and more.”
Opened in 2017, the ballpark was most recently named The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.
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