clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Nationals Spring Training 2014: Leftover Notes - Ryan Zimmerman At First, Bryce Harper Talks A Lot

Matt Williams talking Ryan Zimmerman's work at first base. The Washington Nationals' new skipper on his first weeks with Bryce Harper. Williams on how he'll use his outfielders this season. And a few quotes from Nats' Asst. GM Doug Harris. Leftovers anyone?

By Patrick Reddington
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Not everything we hear/read/see gets turned into an article even though we transcribe it all. We do use most of it, of course, but some stuff doesn't make it into the articles we post for one reason or another, (it's already up everywhere else, we concentrated on other things, etc.), so rather than leaving it on the proverbial "cutting room floor" why not collect it? Here are some leftover quotes from the last two days of Spring Training with the Washington Nationals. Matt Williams talking Bryce Harper, Ryan Zimmerman and more. Asst. GM and VP Of Player Development Doug Harris on Mike Rizzo and Matt Purke? It's all below...

Matt Williams on working with Ryan Zimmerman at first base for the first time this morning:

"He's one of those unique guys that just has great hands. So, we worked with his footwork around the bag..." - Matt Williams on working w/ Ryan Zimmerman at first

"We worked with him this morning. Just on digging balls out of the dirt. Just stuff over there that if he plays some innings over there he might have that come up. So, breaking his first base glove in a little bit with those and he's really good. He's got great hands, man. So he's really good at it."

"He's one of those unique guys that just has great hands. So, we worked with his footwork around the bag. Again, that's an important thing for a guy that, especially, that may get a chance to move across the diamond for a couple of games in Spring or whatever it is, or a few innings or whatever it is. We want to make sure his footwork is good, so his foot is in the right place, he doesn't get stepped on those types of things."

Williams threw baseballs at/to Zimmerman, Tyler Moore and Adam LaRoche at first base in today's workout:

"Just balls in the dirt, working on picking balls out of the dirt. That's all."

"We'll continue to do early work stuff. [Zimmerman will] do all his other early work across the diamond at third, but we'll mix it in. It's a progression. But he's certainly willing to do it and he's excited about doing it and if we get a chance to put him over there for a couple of innings this spring, we'll do that."

Williams on whether or not anything has surprised him about Spring Training:

"I haven't seen him yet. He's got a bullpen tomorrow I guess, so we're going to go over there and watch that." - Matt Williams on Lucas Giolito

"I don't think so. I'm used to this part of it. Used to the fundamental part of it because I've dealt with all of that and doing all the bunt plays and rundowns and all that stuff, because that's what I generally do as a coach. Everybody is involved. The lineup part of it, I've never done, so that's a learning process. Making sure that we get everybody in and looking at the first few days of lineups to make sure we get everybody in the game and monitor from there and move from there. And then of course when we get to the game stuff, I've done it in other aspects, but not at the major league level and communicating with the third base coach and that type of stuff. So that will be new the first time on Friday."

Williams on Lucas Giolito:

"I haven't seen him yet. He's got a bullpen tomorrow I guess, so we're going to go over there and watch that. I've got great reports, certainly, but I've never personally seen him throw, so I look forward to that tomorrow."

Williams on getting all his starters work this spring:

"We're going to have to piggyback some guys, and so we've got relievers that are used to getting ready quickly so we may have to bridge until we get to that next guy, but we'll get everybody their innings and make sure that they're able to show what they need to show and ramp toward the season."

Williams on how he'll use his outfielders:

"I think that guys can play multiple positions. Certainly, Denard [Span] in center, but Jayson [Werth] has played center. Bryce has played center. So, they've all got the ability to move around. I don't want to do that. I want to get them out there and get them in their spots and let them relax and understand. But there may be some movements at some times too. Beyond that, Nate McLouth is a huge piece to the whole puzzle here, because he plays all three. So, all of that being said, I like it, I like what we've got."

"He's participated in every drill. So for me he's good, we'll continue to monitor though, because once you get on the field and start playing games, everyone gets sore again..." - Matt Williams on Bryce Harper's knee

Bryce Harper's knee:

"It seems good. He's able to participate every day and he feels good about it. Again, once you ratchet and add adrenaline to the mix and starting and stopping on the bases and things like that, we have to monitor that too."

"He's full-go right now. There's no issues. He's continuing his work in the training room as far as his rehab goes. He's able to do everything on the field. He's participated in every drill. So for me he's good, we'll continue to monitor though, because once you get on the field and start playing games, everyone gets sore again. There's just no way to prepare for it."

FBB's Recommended Reading:

Nationals Injury Update: Mattheus' MRI Results McCatty Talks Strasburg On 106.7 the FAN in DC

Harper staying in left this year?:

"I would like to leave him there [in left field]. There are going to be days off for guys, so there may be opportunities for him in right. There may be opportunities for him in center as well, but I would like for him to concentrate on playing left right now and see where we go with that. But there [are] opportunities for him everywhere else as well, but I like the construction of our outfield right now. And I think Jayson [Werth] is a fantastic right fielder. Denard [Span] is phenomenal in center. And Bryce [Harper] is pretty special in left. So, does it mean that they're not going to move around? No."

Surprised about anything with Harper?:

"He talks more than I thought he would. He talks a lot. He comes in the coaches' room and sits down and talks the game. I think he's a great student of the game." - Matt Williams on what surprised him about Bryce Harper

"He talks more than I thought he would. He talks a lot. He comes in the coaches' room and sits down and talks the game. I think he's a great student of the game. And he pays attention to those types of things, which is really, it's refreshing. It would be easy for a young player to kind of go into their own world, especially somebody like him, but he really understands the exterior around him, and like I said, he understands the game, he's a great student, wants to learn, wants to get better, so that's really nice. That's refreshing. So, we've talked more than I anticipated us talking in that regard. Because he's constantly asking questions, not only of me, but of the whole staff.

Doug Harris on MLB Network Radio talking about the type of pitchers the Nats pursue:

"Mike Rizzo has a philosophy regarding pitching and when we acquire pitching or pursue pitching, [he] has to fit into the framework of that. Once we get the pitcher, Spin Williams and his pitching staff do an excellent job molding deliveries, shaping arsenals and really fitting into what their specific skills may be."

Doug Harris on MLB Network Radio talking Matt Purke working on changeup:

"The changeup is an important pitch for us as an organization. It's a pitch that we put emphasis on at a very early time in a pitcher's career. With [Purke] we haven't put strong parameters on it just yet, as needed at this point, but we continue to try to hone that pitch, gain confidence in it and execute it within a game."

More From Federal Baseball