Wire Taps: Washington Nationals Philanthropies introduced; Sean Doolittle reading and sharing + more Nats links...

D.C.-based announcers are teaming up to fight hunger in the nation’s capital. Sean Doolittle is still reading books. The defending World Series champs introduced a philanthropic arm.

It’s been an interesting 48 hours heading into what was supposed to be the season opener tomorrow afternoon, but as we all know now, there won’t be baseball for a while.

When the season does start, assuming it does at some point, it will be a truncated version of what we are used to, which one former major leaguer says could benefit the Nationals.

Catch up on the latest Nats news below and stay safe out there. Also wash your hands. Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Santangelo, fellow broadcasters join forces to benefit area food charities - (MASN)
"MASN Nationals analyst F.P. Santangelo is among a cadre of broadcasters from Washington, D.C., sports franchises who are collaborating for a good cause: eradicating hunger in the District."

D.C.’s sports broadcasters team up to raise money for coronavirus relief - (WaPost)
"Launched in 2018, Cameo enables users to pay celebrities, from Hollywood actors to NHL play-by-play men, various set amounts to record personalized video messages."

The five quotes that defined Nationals’ run to the World Series - (NBC Sports Washington)
"So, as we wait for baseball to hopefully return at some point this season, let’s look back at five quotes which defined the time and remain intriguing in retrospect."

A Letter to Nationals Fans: Introducing Washington Nationals Philanthropies - (CurlyW Blog)
"Under normal circumstances, the Nationals Homecoming Gala would take place this week. Our World Series Champions would walk a red carpet in front of thousands of fans gathered along District Wharf."

Hot take: 5 best catchers in Nationals history - (MLB.com)
"Over 578 games with the Nationals, Ramos recorded 566 hits, 320 RBIs and 83 homers while slashing .268/.313/.430. He ranks second among Washington’s catchers with 11.3 fWAR."

Home confinement re-watch: 2019 NLDS Game 5 - (MASN)
"Dodger Stadium was thumping, and an NLCS showdown with the Cardinals (who shockingly scored 10 runs in the top of the first against the Braves earlier in the afternoon) loomed in the near future."

DOOLITTLE LINKS:

Doolittle finds balance, focus in love of books - (MLB.com)
"Devouring books has become part of the ninth-year veteran’s daily life. Digesting the words on a page is just as meaningful to him as striking out batters in a lineup."

Closer Sean Doolittle among several Nationals entering an unusual contract year - (NBC Sports Washington)
"When baseball returns from its coronavirus-induced hiatus and the Nationals begin their quest to defend their first World Series title, they’ll do so with nine players on the roster who could be free agents at year’s end."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

The best MLB prospects we ever saw:The Kid, that swing and phenoms' feats - (ESPN)
"'I just saw the greatest pitching prospect ever,' he said flatly, and he proceeded to detail all of the extraordinary elements of the college right-hander."

Compared With Rival Nationals And Braves, Philadelphia Phillies’ Outfield Offense Falls Short - (Forbes)
"Collectively, it is this old scout’s opinion the Phillies outfield is woefully and dramatically weak in comparison to division rivals Washington (Juan Soto, Victor Robles, Adam Easton) and Atlanta (Marcell Ozuna, Ronald Acuna, Ender Inciarte.)"

Frank Thomas: Nationals’ repeat chances are higher after MLB’s suspension of play - (FOX Sports)
"A shortened season favors the defending champion Washington Nationals, says Hall of Famer Frank Thomas. With a veteran group, The Big Hurt said the time off shouldn't impact them as much as other teams around the league."

2020 National League Championship odds, MLB picks, predictions: Model fading Mets - (CBSSports.com)
"The Atlanta Braves (+850), New York Mets (+850) and defending champion Washington Nationals (+900) are among the other top NL pennant contenders."

Boom-or-bust: Giancarlo Stanton among draft risks who could pay off - (Yahoo!Sports)
"The 35-year-old could be anything from the No. 1 overall player to someone who misses large chunks of the season."

NL EAST UPDATES:

'This obviously goes down in the history books' — how Aaron Nola is staying ready and keeping busy - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"In a normal year, Aaron Nola would be readying for an opening day start in about 36 hours. Instead, he's still down at his condo in Clearwater, working out like it's January and enjoying some peaceful time on the water."

Where the Mets will turn after Noah Syndergaard disaster - (NY Post)
"Among the storylines that had developed before the COVID-19 outbreak suspended spring training was the Mets’ six starters for five rotation spots. Noah Syndergaard’s torn ulnar collateral ligament, which will keep him sidelined into 2021, has ended that rotation battle."

Hot take: 5 best catchers in Marlins history - (MLB.com)
"The Marlins traded Realmuto to the Phillies on Feb. 9, 2019, in a deal that included catcher Jorge Alfaro and right-hander Sixto Sanchez, who is now Miami’s No. 1 prospect, per MLB Pipeline."

Leadoff: Braves stock plummets amid MLB shutdown - (AJC.com)
"The price of publicly traded shares of stock in the Braves has fallen sharply amid the coronavirus pandemic that has roiled the stock market and shut down sports leagues."