Wire Taps: MLB rule changes; Michael A. Taylor injures leg; Erick Fedde searching for breakout...

Let’s discuss the most important aspect of Spring Training: the Grapefruit League standings. With an 11-8 mark, the Nats are tied for first with the Braves and the Yankees. They *might* just get that bowl of Grapefruits that every player covets at the beginning of March.

Here’s the news from Nats Park:

Taylor injures left knee making diving catch (MASN)
Michael A. Taylor jammed his knee on a diving catch, initially staying in the game before Davey Martinez removed him as he stiffened up and wasn't able to run. Cautious optimism was the mood surrounding Taylor, who has hit to the tune of .360 this spring.

Top prospects at 2019 Spring Training (MLB.com)
Carter Kieboom is still in camp, still hitting dingers, and still getting ABs — he's up to a .333 average.

Adrian Sanchez pushing baseball in Colombia (MLB.com)
Adrian Sanchez spent some time in the Nats team store looking for gear to send back to his native Columbia, where his foundation, "Adrian Sánchez y Amigos" hosts baseball camps in an effort to push the game for kids in the country.

Rule changes coming this year and next (MLB.com)
Inning breaks will get shorter (yay!). The waiver trade period is gone. All Star Voting will have a primary followed by an "Election Day" – and extras will start with a runner on second for the ASG. (Also, the winner of the Home Run Derby now gets $1 million.) In 2020, roster size will go up from 25 to 26, the number of pitchers will be capped, pitchers will have to face a minimum of three batters, and the injured list will move back to 15 days due to the manipulation by some teams.

Fedde hopes in 2019 it all comes together (MLB.com)
Erick Fedde is past the point of a promising prospect, and inconsistency on top of injuries have gotten in the way of his success in the majors. But he says he's feeling more and more comfortable in the bigs, even in Spring Training, working on his control and staying ahead in the count.

Nationals agree to terms with Tony Sipp (MLB.com)
The Nationals, unsurprisingly, have good things to say about their new arm.

The 2019 Misery Index: Which MLB fanbase has it the worst? (The Athletic)
The Nats are very high on this list.

Not all first round picks have their story end well, but it’s not likely anyone has seen a journey quite like this (The Athletic)
Brandon Snyder was a top prospect for the Orioles, drafted in 2005. Now, 14 years later, while most of his contemporaries are in their swansongs, Snyder is still trying to crack the majors on a long-term basis. He has other jobs. He once got called drunk to be offered a position on a team. In other words, there's a whole lot going on after the weight of the expectations get to you.