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Wire Taps: Nationals sweep Phillies, pick RHP Erick Fedde 18th overall in 2014 MLB Draft

The Washington Nationals beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 on Thursday afternoon then the Nats made their top pick of the 2014 Draft, selecting 21-year-old right-hander Erick Fedde out of UNLV in spite of the fact that he just had Tommy John surgery.

By Patrick Reddington

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Greg Fiume

Of all the impressive things that Washington Nationals' right-hander Doug Fister did on the mound in Thursday's 4-2 series-sweeping win over the Philadelphia Phillies, none was more impressive than the full-on split the 6'8'' right-hander fell into while covering first base on an attempted double play in the top of the first inning. Seriously, watch this play:


"That's not comfortable," Nats' skipper Matt Williams said when asked about the split after the game.

"For you or for him?" a reporter asked.

"For both," Williams quipped.

"He's a good athlete though," the manager continued. "We saw him come off the mound a couple of times to get balls today that most pitchers don't get to. He's a good athlete.

"For a guy that's that tall, he's got great agility. Takes pride in it, works hard at it. And knows that he can help himself in that regard."

But seriously, that split:


With Fister strong on the mound again, the Nationals swept the Phillies and now they head out to San Diego to take on the Padres in a three-game series in Petco Park, which starts tonight.

Until then, links and lots of them, starting... RIGHT NOW!!!:

• THE BIG STORY!!!:

• "He’s right that his offensive numbers are better when he plays center, and it’s telling that Harper knows." - "Bryce Harper wants to play center field, will take his time returning" - Adam Kilgore, Washington Post

• NATS BEAT:

• "Harper is not ready to take swings or field groundballs and is not sure exactly when he will receive clearance to do so from the Nats’ training staff." - "Bryce Harper not rushing back from thumb injury" - Chase Hughes, Nats Insider

• "Harper said he still couldn't close his glove around a baseball, which has prevented him from doing any work in the outfield, taking ground balls and playing catch." - "Harper confirms there's no timetable for return" - Daniel Popper, nationals.com: News

• "Few teams get a chance at a second opening day, an opportunity to start a season over and get it right." - "Washington Nationals are getting healthier, and the NL East is there for the taking" - Thomas Boswell, The Washington Post

• ""An announced crowed of 33,016 saw starting pitcher Doug Fister put on a show." - Nationals Pastime: Williams looks ahead to tough road trip after Nats sweep Phillies" - Olivia Witherite, MASNSports.com

• "The Nationals sense a big test looming, which holds them back from all the ‘turning a corner’ talk." - "Nats complete sweep of Phillies before big ‘test’" - Chase Hughes, Nats Insider

• "Now, however, the Nationals face a stiff trail. They travel to San Diego for a weekend three-game series and then a four-game series in San Francisco, finishing the road trip with three games in St. Louis." - "The Nationals face a tough 10-day roadtrip" - James Wagner, Washington Post

• "For a team that couldn't buy a hit during a stretch of six losses in seven games two weeks ago, the recent offensive outburst has provided immeasurable relief." - "Philadelphia Phillies at Washington Nationals - June 5, 2014" - Daniel Popper, MLB.com WSH Recap

• "An unsettling notion loomed over the first portion of the Washington Nationals’ season, a familiar feeling they needed to ward off." - "Doug Fister, Washington Nationals complete sweep of Phillies with a 4-2 win" - Adam Kilgore, The Washington Post

• "The Nats are now 30-28 on the season and one game out of first in the National League East. The Atlanta Braves..." - "Nats sweep Phillies with another strong offensive showing" - Chase Hughes, Nats Insider

• "Since May 3, Roark's ERA has dropped from 4.17 to 3.25. In the five starts since then, he hasn't allowed more than three runs, giving up one run three times." - "Washington Nationals at San Diego Padres - June 6, 2014" - Will Laws, MLB.com Preview

• Your Daily Message from the Dalai Lama on Twitter (@DalaiLama):

• NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

• "Despite his having fallen, the Nats selecting him without warning was the best outcome that could have occurred, since we hadn’t agreed upon any terms, which would have robbed our side of a lot of leverage." - "An Agent's Take: When Post-Draft Negotiations Get Strained" - Joshua Kusnick, Baseball Prospectus

• "Entering the week, Span had bunted five times in 2014, all in traditional sacrifice situations, and had reached base on three of those attempts." - "How bunting changes the game" - Bryan O'Connor, HighHeatStats.com

• "You guys didn't even need to read this article to know I'm playing Roark, I love this play against the Padres, I won't slander them just in case I jinx it." - "DFS: DraftKings Top Plays For Friday June 6th" - DugFister, Fake Teams

• 2014 MLB DRAFT:

• "Fedde, named a Louisville Slugger second-team All-American this season, posted an 8-2 record and 1.76 ERA and struck out 82 in 11 starts in his junior season, cut short by his elbow injury." - "Nationals select right-hander Erick Fedde with first pick" - James Wagner, Washington Post

• "The story of the Nationals’ latest first-round draft pick should sound quite familiar to those who have followed this franchise over the last five years." - "Washington Nationals draft UNLV right-hander Erick Fedde" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

• "'The Nats couldn't have gotten a better kid and a better worker,' Chambers said. 'I've never had one like him. I want you to know that...'" - "Fedde's college coach: 'The guy sold out for me'" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

• "If it seems like the Nats have used a few high draft picks in recent years on players with injury questions surrounding them, well, that's because they have." - "Nationals Pastime: Some more draft talk and a road trip primer" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• "With their 57th pick of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft, the team selected left-hander Andrew Suarez from the University of Miami." - "In Round 2, Nats select Miami lefty Suarez" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

• "Fedde was slated to go a higher, possibly in the top 10, before it was announced that he required Tommy John surgery." - "Nationals select Erick Fedde with 18th overall pick" - Craig Goldstein, SBNation.com

• "The Washington Nationals once again showed they won’t be scared off by injury when it comes to the draft, selecting UNLV pitcher Erick Fedde in the first round Thursday..." - "Erick Fedde is Nationals' first-round draft pick; UNLV pitcher has elbow injury" - Marc Lancaster, Washington Times

• "The 6-4 165 pound righty was ready to take his team into the College World Series when it was discovered that there was damage to his elbow that would require Tommy John surgery." - "Washington Nationals Select Erick Fedde UNLV MLB Draft" - Robert Pannier, Guardian LV

• "University of Miami lefthander Andrew Suarez became the first Hurricane selected in the 2014 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft Thursday night..." - "Suarez Selected by Washington Nationals" - Jerry Steinberg, State of The U

• "For the second time in three years, the Washington National drafted a pitcher that needed Tommy John surgery." - "2014 MLB Draft: Washington Nationals pick RHP Erick Fedde with 18th overall selection" - John Tuscano, PennLive.com

• "The Nationals have a strong track record of bringing pitchers back from ligament-replacement surgery." - "Washington Nationals take UNLV pitcher Erick Fedde with 18th pick in MLB draft" - James Wagner, The Washington Post

• "'He is a plus-stuff guy,' Rizzo said. 'We scouted him intensely over the last three years. He has got two plus-plus pitches and his third pitch, changeup, is on the come...'" - "Rizzo on first-round selection Erick Fedde: 'He is a plus-stuff guy'" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

• "The Nationals took a gamble on an injured pitcher in the first round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft, selecting UNLV right-hander Erick Fedde, who had Tommy John surgery, with the No. 18 pick." - "With No. 18 pick, Nats take UNLV righty Fedde" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

• "Though his freshman season was derailed by shoulder surgery, Suarez recovered to make 31 starts as a member of the weekend rotation over the past two seasons." - "Miami lefty Andrew Suarez selected by Washington Nationals in MLB Draft" - Sun Sentinel

• "UNLV junior Erick Fedde became the highest Rebel draft pick in 24 years today as the Washington Nationals selected the right-handed pitcher 18th overall in the first-year player draft." - "Washington Nationals select UNLV's Erick Fedde 18th overall" - Taylor Bern, Las Vegas Sun News

• "An injured Erick Fedde (Tommy John cut) is better than no Fedde at all. At least, that's what the Washington Nationals think." - "2014 MLB Draft: UNLV's Erick Fedde Goes to Washington Nationals at #18" - Don Starks, Mountain West Connection

• "Experts considered Fedde (6 feet 4 inches, 180 pounds) a potential top-10 pick until nearly a month ago when he discovered he needed surgery. Fedde had that procedure Tuesday in Los Angeles and said it went well." - "UNLV’s Erick Fedde goes to Nationals" - Las Vegas Review-Journal

• "The Washington Nationals selected UNLV right-handed pitcher Erick Fedde with the 18th overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft." - "Washington Nationals select pitchers with top two picks in MLB Draft" - Dave Nichols, District Sports Page

• "The Washington Nationals took Miami Hurricanes left-handed pitcher Andrew Suarez with the 57th overall pick in the second round." - "Former Park Vista star Trea Turner goes 13th in baseball draft" - Anthony Chiang, www.palmbeachpost.com

• NATS MINORS:

• "The Potomac Nationals (32-27, 16-16) shocked the Wilmington Blue Rocks (29-30, 16-14) with two runs in the 9th inning to take a 3-2 rubber match victory..." - "Nationals Shock Blue Rocks Using Two Runs in 9th to Take Series with 3-2 Edge Job" - Potomac Nationals News

• "Friday’s News & Notes" - Luke Erickson, NationalsProspects.com

• "The Eastern League is pleased to announce Harrisburg Senators outfielder Michael Taylor has been named the Eastern League Player of the Month for the month of May." - "Sens' Taylor named EL Player of Month" - Eastern League News

• "As far as he knows, Syracuse Chiefs first baseman Tyler Moore expects to be in the team's lineup for a second straight game on Friday." - "Tyler Moore likely to get his chance to settle into a productive stretch with Syracuse Chiefs" - Lindsay Kramer, syracuse.com

• "The Syracuse Chiefs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, beat the Indianapolis Indians, 7-3, on Thursday night from NBT Bank Stadium." - "Moore's grand slam leads Chiefs past Indians" - Syracuse Chiefs News

• NATSTOWN:

• "1. Go to a Nationals game. Even if you don't like baseball, this is an outing everyone can enjoy." - "An intern’s guide to Washington: 5 things to do if you’re here only for the summer" - Margaret Ely, Washington Post

• "The Nats are finally coming together... maybe. The Rangers are beat up. The Phillies stink. The Padres, who the Nats play next, are also kindly referred to as flawed." - "On the cusp" - Harper, Nationals Baseball

• "Reactions To Day One Of The 2014 MLB First-Year Player Draft" - Joe Drugan, The Nats Blog

• "Doug Splitster?" - "Watch Doug Fister do the splits on a stretch at first" - Nats Enquirer

• "Bryce Harper approves: Nationals select RHP Erick Fedde with 18th pick in MLB draft" - Nats Enquirer

• "With the Nats 4-2 win Thursday night, Washington secured the sweep, rounding out the series two games above .500 with a 30-28 record." - "Washington Nationals Game 58 Review: Fister Holds His Own to Help Nats Complete Sweep Vs. Phillies" - Alyssa Wolice, District Sports Page

• "The Washington Nationals Select Erick Fedde and Andrew Suarez on Day 1 of the MLB Draft" - Ryan Sullivan, NatsGM

• NL EAST UPDATES:

• Philies: "A young, pitching-heavy Nationals team built to return to the playoffs - and eventually bring the city a World Series trophy - gained steam as the week continued." - "Phillies continue to show little signs of life" - Ryan Lawrence, Philadelphia Daily News

• Mets: "The Mets have reportedly pumped the brakes on Matt Harvey's breakneck rehab schedule." - "Report: Mets' Matt Harvey won't throw off mound yet" - Marc Carig, Newsday

• Marlins: "After making a move to bolster their starting pitching, the Miami Marlins addressed on organizational need for position players with their other two picks Thursday on the first day of baseball’s amateur draft." - "Miami Marlins pick catcher Anderson, infielder Twine on first day of draft" - Craig Davis, Sun Sentinel

• Braves: "[Garrett] Fulenchek stood as a rather obscure prospect for many Major League organizations until approximately nine months ago." - "Braves add righty Fulenchek in second round" - Mark Bowman, braves.com: News

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