“The whole staff has to do a better job of throwing strikes one,” Washington’s GM said. Mike Rizzo recently spoke to fans on season ticket holders events in dc
“For me, it’s the most important pitch of the game. We’re going to put up signs in spring training.
“I said [Manager] davie [Martinez]He plans to put up a sign during spring training that says, “I don’t care how fast he throws the fourth pitch.” ”
These signs were posted on a fence in West Palm Beach, Florida, during pitchers and catchers’ games (and the reporters) arrived at the Nationals’ spring training facility on Wednesday morning for the first official day of the 2024 campaign.
Martinez said the importance of throwing strikes is a message both he and his staff are drumming into the heads of pitchers (and catchers) as the 24 season officially begins.
Recently retired relief pitcher Sean Doolittle is now part of Martinez’s staff as a pitching strategist and has already made significant contributions to the motivational mantra game.
The message is simple.
“Strike one,” Martinez said. “It’s like, ‘Let’s throw strike one.'” I want to focus on those guys who just throw strikes one. I thought about it too, and I always say, “Let’s go 1-0 today.”
“We were sitting there and Doolittle said, ‘Hey, what if our pitcher was 0-1 today?’ I said, ‘You know, that’s not a bad idea. ” Be sure to convey that message to your pitcher. ”
“Pitchers are 0-1 today and every day. That’s good. It’s all about throwing strikes. We want them to hit the strike zone and get outs early. We talk about that all the time. I am.
Update from Dave Martinez: Mason Thompson injured his elbow over the winter. He will spend the next two weeks rehabbing. Martinez said the team is “a little concerned” and he plans to take things slowly.
— Andrew Golden (@andrewcgolden) February 14, 2024
“Look, we’re already preaching that to young people. [Pitching Coach Jim] Hickey is all over now. We want them to throw strikes. ”
Martinez, his coaches and the young and old players vying for spots on the opening roster checked in Wednesday morning, but the coach said many of them have been in West Palm Beach for some time.
“We’ve actually been here for over a week and we’ve already had a lot of people here,” Martinez said.
“I love the enthusiasm and I love the energy that I’ve seen so far. We’ve got a lot of young players here, we’ve got some veteran players that we’ve had, some of the players that we’ve brought in. There is.
“It’s a great mix.”
They added some veterans to the mix, butJoey Gallo, Nick Senzel, Dylan Floro), there are a lot of young players still trying to establish themselves in the majors, and the club has a collection of top prospects in major league spring training who are gaining some really valuable experience, and Martinez believes they’re all working hard. , I want to see them learn. Over the next few weeks, everyone prepares for opening day.
What message do you have for up-and-coming players during camp?
“I tell them a lot about being on your feet, being a sponge, listening, learning, and enjoying the moment,” said the 20-year-old, who spent six seasons on the bench in D.C. and 16 years as a player. said the veteran major leaguer.
“Because when I look back as a young 20-year-old attending a major league camp, it really took me a long time to get to where I am now, so enjoy every second, but learn as much as you can. We talk a lot about continuing to progress, enjoying the process, what it takes to be a major league player, and what it takes to stay here and be consistent.
Some quick news items from Rizzo/Davey:
*Mason Thompson suffered an elbow problem over the winter and was out of action for at least two weeks.
* Stone Garrett hopes to be healthy and ready for opening day, but will be closely monitored
*Trevor Williams plans to report a few days late after his wife gives birth— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) February 14, 2024
*Rizzo said he does not expect more MLB contracts this spring, although more minor league contracts are likely.
* Cade Cavalli pitched in the bullpen for the first time since TJ surgery on Monday and again today. He appears to be on track to return in June as planned for the end of 2023.— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) February 14, 2024
“You’re going to get a lot of messages. My coaching staff is very excited.”
Martinez said the approach early in the process is to listen and learn.
“I’m going to sit quietly and just observe them and listen. I’ve learned more by listening to the players than by listening to them,” he explained.
“I want to listen to them and see what they think and start building those relationships with a lot of our young players, and just teach them every day.”
Martinez has made adjustments with the coaching staff this offseason, but he hopes new and old coaches follow the usual advice when dealing with players.
“To me, that means they’re from Mars, right?” Martinez said. “And they don’t know anything about the game, and they only understand what you have to teach them. And you end up repeating yourself a thousand times, but… That 100th time they understand and start moving,’ and as a coach that’s all you can do. ”
