Washington Nationals news & notes: Nats’ scouting dept. changes; CJ Abrams gets 40th stolen base + more…

How it will be done in the future:

Washington Post reporter Jesse Doherty It was first reported in the news last week.[VP and Assistant GM] Johnny Di Puglia has stepped down as director of international scouting for the Washington Nationals.” 15 years after GM Mike Rizzo brought in longtime scout Johnny Di Puglia to the organization, Rizzo joined the Nationals that same year. was appointed as the full-time general manager of

“The reason for his resignation was not immediately known and was not provided by the team,” the Wapost reporter noted. “Mr Dipulia declined to comment further.”

in his weekly visits 106.7 Wednesday DC’s Sports Junkie FansRizzo initially declined to comment on the Post article, but said the reports of the mutual split decision were accurate.

Rizzo said of DiPuglia, “He’s a great guy.” “I’ve known him for 30 years. He’s been with me for 15 years. He’s done a sensational job here. He’ll be working with someone soon.” will have to do

“Change is good,” GM added. “Most of the time change is a good thing. Johnny and I go back a long time, but we are still best friends and that will never change.”

“If the press came out and said ‘mutual resignation,’ I would believe it. Johnny and I are old warriors. We got him, and I think his resume speaks for itself.”

The shift in scouting ranks within the organization continued on Wednesday.

Despite the decision to change the scouting department, Rizzo told the Junkies that he was happy with the work the front office has done since beginning the organizational reboot that began at the 2021 trade deadline. The process is starting now in his head. actually earlier than expected.

“I think we’re a little ahead of schedule,” said Lizzo, who qualified. “I really like Double-A clubs with a lot of potential. The last three drafts have had a really positive impact on the farm system. I think we can eventually increase the number of wins from 55 wins this year, but I think that’s the positive side of the rebuild, and the six that will be the core group of teams that we already have. , looking at the seven players and the influential types of players in the minor leagues not far from the big leagues, I can’t help but rejoice that the rebuilding has progressed.

“And since July of 2021 when we started this rebuild, I think we’re ahead of schedule than we were in 2009, 2010 when we did the first rebuild, so there should be a light at the end of this tunnel. 11.”

CJ3CS:

CJ Abrams, 22, stole his 40th base in 43 attempts of the season Wednesday, making him the third (and fourth) player in Nationals (pre-2005) history to steal a base. [of a player recording] Over 40 stolen bases in a season. ”

“Abrams stole 29 bases, the most stolen bases in the major leagues since moving into the leadoff spot on July 7,” the club added in its postgame notes about the walk-off victory.

Manager Davey Martinez told reporters after the game that he wouldn’t be surprised if Abrams reached the plateau of 40 stolen bases.

“I always tell him, ‘When you’re on first base, you can do incredible things,'” Martinez said.

“Walking turns into doubles and sometimes triples for him. Today he hit a really good at-bat, got on base and stole his 40th base, which is great.”

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the shortstop’s career so far is the fact that he’s done what he’s done as a 21-year-old rookie and 22-year-old sophomore in the big leagues.

“I think the tank has more,” Martinez added. “He understands all about stealing and he wants to get on base and go to second base. That’s a big part of stealing. But we need him to do it.

“I tell him that the walks, the bases, the two strikes are important, and just moving the baseball is going to be very important to him.”

Jeff Burke – USA TODAY Sports

Given his already abundant talent, his progress provides many reasons to be excited about the future of this speedy infielder.

“He’s really got the hang of it, he has this talent for reading pitchers and understanding what they can and can’t do and when they can’t,” Martinez said of Abrams’ stealing talent.

“But he’s very aggressive on base, and I love that.”

Return to riso:

GM Mike Rizzo doesn’t talk much about his contract status, but like Lizzo, it’s bound to come up again after manager Davey Martinez, who was in the final year of his Nats contract, signed a multi-year contract. Ta. Extended a few weeks ago.

Rizzo declined to address rumors that he was about to sign a deal at the time, explaining that GM was primarily focused on signing Martinez before moving on to his own future.

“I’m Davey’s boss and my job is to take care of Davey and take care of the players in the clubhouse and I’ve done my job,” said Lizzo, a DC sports junkie. told 106.7 fans of Z.

Brad Mills – USA TODAY Sports

“For me, it was important to have ownership approved for this multi-year deal.” [for Martinez].

“For me, it was a success because it was important for me to have Davey in that clubhouse and be the player to see this rebuild completed. And well done, Mike, thank you.”

Lizzo stuck with that approach this week when asked why his own contract hadn’t yet been finalized during a recent visit with the Junkies.

“The big news is that I had Davey sign and seal it and deliver it for an extended period of time,” Lizzo said. “That’s been my goal all along. And as I said a few weeks ago, I [Martinez’s] My boss and I wanted to get it done, so we resorted to ownership and were able to get it done. that was important. There’s been a lot of press coverage about my personal business, my baseball business, and all sorts of other things, and that sort of thing has to be taken with a grain of salt. You have known me for a long time, I have never worried about my contract status, I work hard every day, I come to work every day, I have to achieve There are issues and issues that must be addressed, and we are doing business as usual. And I want to polish this thoroughly, get over this rebuild, and put a championship-worthy club back on the field. ”

Lucas Pelletier – USA TODAY Sports

It’s clear he wants to see through to the reboot of the organization that started in 2021, right?

“Oh, sure,” said Lizzo. “This has been my home for 17 years and I got this one from under an expansion franchise when I bought it from MLB a long time ago. I’ve lived here since 2006 and plan to live here for a long time after that. is” “

So one of the junkies cheekily asked, should we expect a press conference on his own extension before the end of the season?

“You talk about things I don’t talk about,” Lizzo said.

“We never talk about what we do when it comes to negotiations and contracts and things like that, so we’re not going to start now.

“I have been GM for 15 years and I am happy here. I want to be part of a championship club.”

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