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Washington Nationals' manager Matt Williams was impressed with what he saw from veteran right-hander Manny Delcarmen early in Spring Training last year.
"His velocity is really good," William told reporters, "and he's come in... he's used to coming in late in games so it doesn't bother him. He understands that part of it and has been pounding the zone and going after guys, so I like what we've seen so far."
In 46 games (one start) for the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs in 2014, the 32-year-old reliever who signed a minor league deal with the Nats in December of 2013, went (4-4) with four saves, a 3.13 ERA, 3.16 FIP, 23 walks (3.43 BB/9) and 55 Ks (8.20 K/9) in 60 ⅓ IP.
Emmanuel Burriss too signed a minor league deal with the Nats last December.
In his first season in the Nationals' organization and just his second season with a team other than the San Francisco Giants, who drafted the Washington, D.C. native out of Kent State University in 2006, the 29-year-old second baseman put together a strong season with the Nats' top affiliate in 2014, posting a .300/.377/.412 line with 18 doubles, seven triples and six home runs in 116 games and 510 plate appearances.
Both Delcarmen and Burriss signed minor league deals with the Nationals again this winter, according to a tweeted report by the Nats this afternoon:
The #Nats have agreed to terms on Minor Lg. contracts w invitations to MLB Spring Training with INF Emmanuel Burriss & RHP Manny Delcarmen.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) November 10, 2014
Both Delcarmen and Burriss were also given invitations to Spring Training with the Nats as the tweet notes. When do pitchers and catchers report again?