The Nationals have joined the rest of the majors in the 21st century. After years of relying on old-school development and scouting under former general manager Mike Rizzo, the franchise’s new regime is embracing fresh technology.
Manager Blake Butera and President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni, who are both in their 30s, brought a stack of new ideas with them to West Palm Beach, Florida, for spring training. The Nationals’ young roster is loving the new approach.
Washington’s training activities have featured fresh equipment, including Pulse workload monitors on pitchers’ throwing arms and Trajekt machines — which can mirror a real-life opposing pitcher’s arm movement and arsenal — for batting practice.
“We’re not in the dark ages anymore. It’s a bunch of new stuff, so I’m excited to see what comes with it. I know we’re going to do some great things,” outfielder Daylen Lile told MLB Network Radio. “Just the analytical part, just having all the technology; that’s going to develop us and benefit us on the field.”
Development is crucial for a Nationals franchise that has still refused to spend money in free agency.
Washington spent just $11.4 million on new players over the offseason. It’s the third-lowest receipt in the majors, according to Spotrac.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays — the reigning pennant winners — spent a combined $667.5 million in free agency.
The Nationals aren’t there yet.
“It starts with creating a scouting and player development monster,” Toboni said at his introductory press conference in the fall.
The influx of fresh coaches and modern technology is the foundation of that quest.
The early dividends have been promising.
Third baseman Brady House has notched two homers in his first 11 at-bats of spring training, including one off of former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara.
House, who has spent years as one of the top prospects in Washington’s farm system, is scorching the ball.
His three hits this spring have notched exit velocities of 110.7 mph, 109.4 mph and 106.8 mph.
His other batted balls in plays were similarly smashed.
The average exit velocity in MLB hovers around 88 mph. The league’s Statcast tracking considers anything above 95 mph as a “hard-hit ball.”
“It’s amazing. I feel like just from the short time we’ve already been together, I’ve learned so much and I’ve gotten better each and every day,” House told 106.7 “The Fan.”
He attributed part of the growth to the Trajekt machine. Before facing off against Alcantara on game day, he was able to stand in the batter’s box while the device mirrored the Cy Young winner’s arm angle and delivery.
“I love it so far. You’re so used to watching film on the guy you are going to face; actually getting to go into the [cage] and hit off him is huge,” House said on his radio appearance. “It prepares me a lot better actually getting to step into the cage.”
The pitchers have their own fresh gadgets, though. Washington’s pitchers have sported Pulse armbands designed by Driveline. Toboni and Butera hired several coaches from the analytics-friendly lab, which has developed a reputation for helping pitchers and catchers maximize efficiency.
The bands track how often and how hard a pitcher is throwing. The system is designed to help coaches assess when a player is ready to take the mound again and when they might need extra time in the bullpen or on the bench.
Butera’s approach to spring training has given fans a glimpse into his priorities as a first-time manager.
The new regime is ready to implement changes and adapt to the shifting MLB landscape.
The upcoming season marks the first with “robo-umps,” the league’s Automated Ball-Strike system that will allow pitchers, catchers and hitters to challenge the home-plate umpire’s calls.
Butera had his players work on when to challenge a ball or strike call during an early practice. He served as a “bad umpire,” intentionally calling an inconsistent zone.
“We kind of worked on the challenge system … and let them challenge if they felt like it was an incorrect call, right?” the manager told MLB.com. “Just to kind of get the hang of that.”
Through the first two weeks of spring training, Washington’s batters ranked eighth in the majors, winning 55% of their challenges. The pitchers and catchers have room for improvement after succeeding on five of their first 11 challenges.
Time will tell if the Nationals’ embrace of new technology pays off when the games count in the standings.
Washington opens the regular season on the road against the Chicago Cubs on March 26.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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