Wire Taps: Washington Nationals links, news, tweets, and more like Juan Soto becoming a star and Sean Doolittle getting his hair cut

So what are you doing without baseball in your life this Spring? Reading more? Talking to your loved ones? Exercising inside or outside in a socially responsible way?

It could be a while before you have baseball games to watch again, so I guess we all have to find new hobbies and ways to pass the time. Us? Thanks for asking. You’re sweet.

We collect links for you. Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Nats prospect watch: Carter Kieboom focused on aggressiveness at the plate - (MASN)
"Nationals hitting coordinator Troy Gingrich said that top prospect Carter Kieboom started to get into a nice rhythm the final few weeks of March after a slow start to this spring training."

What matters to you: More games or fewer changes? - (MASN)
"As much as we all want to project when the baseball season (or any other sport’s season) will begin, it’s pointless right now."

Nats GM Mike Rizzo displays Commissioner's Trophy in neighborhood during quarantine - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Nationals GM Mike Rizzo found a pretty cool yet responsible way to bring some cheer to his neighborhood in the midst of social distancing on Thursday."

Howie Kendrick helpful to Nats' next generation of hitters - (MASN)
"Re-watching the Nationals’ playoff run gives fans the opportunity to see Howie Kendrick bounce back from a rough start to October baseball and turn into one of the biggest heroes."

Relive Juan Soto's Wild Card heroics vs. Milwaukee - (MLB.com)
"The Brewers had won 18 of 20 games heading into their last series of the regular season, when they were swept by the Rockies, forcing them into a winner-take-all game at Nationals Park."

On this date: The Nationals played their first game ever - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Saturday marks the 15th anniversary of their inaugural game as they brought professional baseball back to the District of Columbia."

Union creates fund for non-roster players in big league camps - (MASN)
"Many non-roster invitees, though, are experienced major leaguers who have non-guaranteed contracts that will pay them $1 million or more if they make their clubs’ opening day rosters."

Home confinement re-watch: 2019 World Series Game 1 - (MASN)
"The national broadcasters took a lot of heat for supposedly brushing aside the Nationals’ chances throughout the postseason. Honestly, though, I haven’t found it to be nearly as egregious as many fans say it was."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

The 30 MLB players we most hope to see in 2020 – (The Athletic)
"Washington Nationals (93-69) - LF Juan Soto - In the modern history of the game, only 17 players have amassed 1,000 plate appearances through their age-20 season, per Baseball-Reference."

The longest active trade droughts in MLB - (MLB.com)
"The Cardinals are the longest-running blank spot for five different franchises, and the Nationals for four, although one of those droughts stretches all the way back to the franchise's past as the Expos."

NL EAST UPDATES:

This indefinite delay may be frustrating for these five Phillies - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"The players themselves are all undoubtedly bummed. But this indefinite delay has to be especially frustrating for these five Phillies."

Mets mailbag: Figuring out the inevitable Noah Syndergaard contract mess - (NY Post)
"Syndergaard’s Tommy John surgery — which will likely keep him out until at least June 2021 — leaves the Mets in a tough spot, but offering a rehabbing pitcher a contract extension before he throws another pitch carries significant risk."

New-age synthetic turf installed at Marlins Park - (MLB.com)
"When baseball is finally played, the playing surface at Marlins Park will look the same as it has in the past. But upon closer review, it will be completely different, because the field has undergone a makeover."

Atlanta sports stars unite: ‘Better days are ahead’ - (AJC.com)
"Atlanta’s sports teams have annually come together for #404Day, a celebration of the city using its area code as a rallying point."