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Coordinators make sure players learn the ‘Nationals way’ Coordinators make sure players learn the ‘Nationals way’
(about 1 hour later)
VIERA, Fla. — The tower in the center of the Washington Nationals’ minor league complex overlooks four fields and several bullpens that teem with dozens of Nationals minor leaguers. Golf carts zip around. Coaches toss and point and scribble. Fastballs fly, mitts pop, bats crack and groundballs bound through the infields. Hour by hour, day by day, the foundation of the Nationals’ organization is chiseled out of hundreds of meticulously selected big league hopefuls.VIERA, Fla. — The tower in the center of the Washington Nationals’ minor league complex overlooks four fields and several bullpens that teem with dozens of Nationals minor leaguers. Golf carts zip around. Coaches toss and point and scribble. Fastballs fly, mitts pop, bats crack and groundballs bound through the infields. Hour by hour, day by day, the foundation of the Nationals’ organization is chiseled out of hundreds of meticulously selected big league hopefuls.
All of this — the workouts and practice plans, personalities and progress — is managed by the Nationals’ coordinators, who quietly affect every player in the organization. Their efforts are best understood from the tower’s vantage point, because their work is not always evident from the stands.All of this — the workouts and practice plans, personalities and progress — is managed by the Nationals’ coordinators, who quietly affect every player in the organization. Their efforts are best understood from the tower’s vantage point, because their work is not always evident from the stands.
Minor league managers, pitching coaches and hitting coaches are more visible, the obvious daily influences on top prospects. But as Doug Harris, who oversees the Nationals’ minor leagues, from staffing to roster management, looked down from that tower one spring training day, he lauded his coordinators — the unheralded, unseen team that oversees specific aspects of player development.Minor league managers, pitching coaches and hitting coaches are more visible, the obvious daily influences on top prospects. But as Doug Harris, who oversees the Nationals’ minor leagues, from staffing to roster management, looked down from that tower one spring training day, he lauded his coordinators — the unheralded, unseen team that oversees specific aspects of player development.
Behind a screen at home plate is Troy Gingrich, who took over as hitting coordinator before the 2014 season. He develops plans to shorten up long swings, to help college kids prepped on metal bats adjust to the smaller sweet spot of wood, to hone approaches that translate from level-to-level.Behind a screen at home plate is Troy Gingrich, who took over as hitting coordinator before the 2014 season. He develops plans to shorten up long swings, to help college kids prepped on metal bats adjust to the smaller sweet spot of wood, to hone approaches that translate from level-to-level.
Pitching coordinator Paul Menhart is sometimes in the bullpen, sometimes a few steps behind the rubber. Menhart, who succeeded pitching guru Spin Williams as the man in charge of the Nationals’ prized young arms, decides everything from workloads to what’s next for their change-ups. Menhart said he merely implements the plan built by Williams, who still serves as an advisor.Pitching coordinator Paul Menhart is sometimes in the bullpen, sometimes a few steps behind the rubber. Menhart, who succeeded pitching guru Spin Williams as the man in charge of the Nationals’ prized young arms, decides everything from workloads to what’s next for their change-ups. Menhart said he merely implements the plan built by Williams, who still serves as an advisor.
“It’s my job to convey to the pitching coaches, so each individual knows what their plan is,” Menhart says. “. . . we just have a plan for getting them to maximize their abilities. And we work very hard at it. The pitching coaches that we have here are outstanding. We speak on a daily basis about how we want to go about it.”“It’s my job to convey to the pitching coaches, so each individual knows what their plan is,” Menhart says. “. . . we just have a plan for getting them to maximize their abilities. And we work very hard at it. The pitching coaches that we have here are outstanding. We speak on a daily basis about how we want to go about it.”
[Nationals promote Doug Harris][Nationals promote Doug Harris]
From a sleek black golf cart with shiny silver hubcaps, Mark Grater oversees pitchers’ rehabilitation. Grater pitched briefly for the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers in the early 1990s, and he makes mechanical tweaks as pitchers rehab from long-term injuries or the Tommy John surgeries so many Nationals have endured.From a sleek black golf cart with shiny silver hubcaps, Mark Grater oversees pitchers’ rehabilitation. Grater pitched briefly for the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers in the early 1990s, and he makes mechanical tweaks as pitchers rehab from long-term injuries or the Tommy John surgeries so many Nationals have endured.
Grater’s fellow coordinators emphasized the importance of what seems like an ultra-specific job. Outfield coordinator Gary Thurman sometimes sends prospects to Grater when he knows their arms have more strength than their throws reveal. Grater makes mechanical tweaks to maximize strength. Asked about the importance of coordinators to his career, Nationals reliever Aaron Barrett talked about coaching, then rushed back to praise the support Grater has given him as he’s worked his way back from Tommy John surgery. Grater’s fellow coordinators emphasized the importance of what seems like an ultra-specific job. Outfield coordinator Gary Thurman sometimes sends prospects to Grater when he knows their arms have more strength than their throws reveal. Grater makes mechanical tweaks to maximize strength. Asked about the importance of coordinators to his career, Nationals reliever Aaron Barrett talked about coaching, then rushed back to praise Grater for his support as Barrett’s worked his way back from Tommy John surgery.
“My job’s easy when it comes to the on-field stuff. Doctors and trainers prescribe it, and I just have to implement it,” Grater said. “The tough part is the mental part. Those guys trying to fight through it, to know that they can come back to where they were before the injury.”“My job’s easy when it comes to the on-field stuff. Doctors and trainers prescribe it, and I just have to implement it,” Grater said. “The tough part is the mental part. Those guys trying to fight through it, to know that they can come back to where they were before the injury.”
Former Expos stalwart Michael Barrett is the catching coordinator, honing skills such as framing pitches and making sure his charges know pitchers up and down the organization.Former Expos stalwart Michael Barrett is the catching coordinator, honing skills such as framing pitches and making sure his charges know pitchers up and down the organization.
“It’s very important that the catching core really stays connected and really stays on the same page with everyone, because pitchers will advance,” Michael Barrett said. “We have to share information. We have to stay on the same page. It’s a lot of homework for these guys.” “It’s very important that the catching core really stays connected and really stays on the same page with everyone, because pitchers will advance,” Barrett said. “We have to share information. We have to stay on the same page. It’s a lot of homework for these guys.”
Thurman is in the outfield, making sure outfielders get behind those fly balls. He is also in charge of base running, and his approach to molding outfielders embodies the unique challenge of he and his fellow coordinators, who must implement an organization-wide mind-set while letting individual players play their way. Thurman is in the outfield, making sure outfielders get behind those fly balls. He is also in charge of base running, and his approach to molding outfielders embodies the unique challenge to he and his fellow coordinators, who must implement an organization-wide mind-set while letting individual players play their way.
“You can’t make ’em all robots,” Thurman said. “Some guys do things really well the way that they do them, outside what the norm is. You let them do it their way if they’re successful and consistent at it.”“You can’t make ’em all robots,” Thurman said. “Some guys do things really well the way that they do them, outside what the norm is. You let them do it their way if they’re successful and consistent at it.”
Jeff Garber and Tommy Shields, always with bats in their hands, always in motion, are field coordinators, entrusted with making sure everyone else’s plans get implemented — which can mean anything from scheduling a bunting station on Field 4 to making sure the pitchers are practicing covering first on Field 3, to scheduling intrasquad games, planning that takes, Garber laughed, “a lot of time.” Jeff Garber and Tommy Shields, always with bats in their hands, always in motion, are field coordinators, entrusted with making sure everyone else’s plans get implemented — which can mean anything from scheduling a bunting station on Field 4 to making sure the pitchers are practicing covering first on Field 3, to scheduling intrasquad games, planning that takes, Garber said with a laugh, “a lot of time.”
“But that’s all of us,” Garber said. “Really what Tommy and I do, we organize the thoughts of Doug [Harris] and [Director of Player Development] Mark [Scialabba] and all the coordinators. Because what we’re trying to do is have a developmental system that produces Washington Nationals major leaguers. . . . Things we’re consistent with from rookie ball to the time they get to the big leagues. A style of play, how we’re going to compete, how we’re going to go about our business, what we think, how we think.”“But that’s all of us,” Garber said. “Really what Tommy and I do, we organize the thoughts of Doug [Harris] and [Director of Player Development] Mark [Scialabba] and all the coordinators. Because what we’re trying to do is have a developmental system that produces Washington Nationals major leaguers. . . . Things we’re consistent with from rookie ball to the time they get to the big leagues. A style of play, how we’re going to compete, how we’re going to go about our business, what we think, how we think.”
[Nationals announce 2016 minor league coaching staff][Nationals announce 2016 minor league coaching staff]
When players are allocated to each affiliate, their plans are in the hands of that affiliates’ staff. Hitting coaches and pitching coaches handle the day-to-day tweaks and advice. The coordinators decide what each player should learn at each level, when he is ready for the next. They follow the players through the system, and stop by to check up on them. When players are allocated to each affiliate, their plans are in the hands of that affiliates’ staff. Hitting coaches and pitching coaches handle the day-to-day tweaks and advice. The coordinators decide what each player should learn at each level, when he is ready for the next. They follow the players through the system and stop by to check up on them.
Current Nationals such as Barrett remember now-third base coach Bobby Henley’s days as a rousing field coordinator with relentless vocal energy. They remember the day now-Texas Rangers third base coach and former field coordinator Tony Beasley dressed up as a beaver, ran around and told Nationals minor leaguers to emulate the animal — which is known as the hardest worker in the animal kingdom. Harris lets them all coach the agreed upon skills and approach their way, the coordinators agreed. Players get the same message over and over, but hear it differently each time. Current Nationals such as Aaron Barrett remember now-third base coach Bobby Henley’s days as a rousing field coordinator with relentless vocal energy. They remember the day now-Texas Rangers third base coach and former field coordinator Tony Beasley dressed up as a beaver, ran around and told Nationals minor leaguers to emulate the animal — which is known as the hardest worker in the animal kingdom. Harris lets them all coach the agreed-upon skills and approach their way, the coordinators said. Players get the same message over and over, but hear it differently each time.
“The [coordinators] have a lot of guys they have to see, so it’s nice when they’re around,” Michael A. Taylor said. “I think it just adds another aspect to it. You have your hitting coach, your pitching coach, your manager. But to have somebody like that who’s been around to tell you something you’re not hearing somewhere else, helps.”“The [coordinators] have a lot of guys they have to see, so it’s nice when they’re around,” Michael A. Taylor said. “I think it just adds another aspect to it. You have your hitting coach, your pitching coach, your manager. But to have somebody like that who’s been around to tell you something you’re not hearing somewhere else, helps.”
The coordinators rove between affiliates. In February and March, the entirety of their kingdom can be seen from that tower. During the season, it can extend almost anywhere — though it most often includes Syracuse, Harrisburg, Woodbridge and Hagerstown. Thurman will fly out for 15 days at a time, try to see all the affiliates and go home for five. Gingrich normally does about 20 days, then goes home for eight. Menhart tries to make five-day stops with each affiliate to ensure he sees all five starters. All of them revise their travel plans often, when big league stars need rehab work, or when a prospect needs help. The coordinators rove between affiliates. In February and March, the entirety of their kingdom can be seen from that tower. During the season, it can extend almost anywhere — though it most often includes Syracuse, Harrisburg, Woodbridge and Hagerstown. Thurman will fly out for 15 days at a time, try to see all the affiliates and go home for five. Gingrich normally does about 20 days, then goes home for eight. Menhart tries to make five-day stops with each affiliate to ensure he sees all five starters. All of them revise their travel plans often, when big league stars need rehab work or when a prospect needs help.
“Your phone rings and it’s Doug [Harris],” Gingrich said. “You’re probably going somewhere.”“Your phone rings and it’s Doug [Harris],” Gingrich said. “You’re probably going somewhere.”
Harris is the link between them all, the man who brought them in and wants them to be like family. Seated in his office one morning before workouts, ribbing each other like old friends, they say their friendship is fostered by common experiences and tribulations, by annual reinvestment in dozens of kids who probably won’t make the majors, by the thrill of preparing the few that do.Harris is the link between them all, the man who brought them in and wants them to be like family. Seated in his office one morning before workouts, ribbing each other like old friends, they say their friendship is fostered by common experiences and tribulations, by annual reinvestment in dozens of kids who probably won’t make the majors, by the thrill of preparing the few that do.
“I’ve been with two other organizations, and you ask, how does all this translate to the big leagues?” Shields said. “We’re closer to the big league staff here than any organization I’ve been with. Because of that connection to [Henley] and [Rick Schu] and all the guys that came through here. We’re closer as coordinators than any staff I’ve worked on. So I think we have a Nationals way of doing things that translates to the big leagues.” “I’ve been with two other organizations, and you ask, how does all this translate to the big leagues?” Shields said. “We’re closer to the big league staff here than any organization I’ve been with because of that connection to [Henley] and [Rick Schu] and all the guys that came through here. We’re closer as coordinators than any staff I’ve worked on. So I think we have a Nationals way of doing things that translates to the big leagues.”
Harris has never seen the Nationals play a postseason game in person. He and his fellow coordinators will probably be miles away, focused on instructional league — maybe even coaching from that tower — if the Nationals make the playoffs this season. But when players such as Taylor and Trea Turner and Lucas Giolito debut down the road in Space Coast Stadium, or up Interstate 95 at Nationals Park, dozens of days spent worrying about the little things have paid off. Harris has never seen the Nationals play a postseason game in person. He and his fellow coordinators will probably be miles away, focused on instructional league — maybe even coaching from that tower — if the Nationals make the playoffs this season. But when players such as Taylor and Trea Turner and Lucas Giolito debut down the road in Space Coast Stadium, or up Interstate 95 at Nationals Park, dozens of days spent worrying about the little things have paid off.
“We all search for that World Series ring just like that big league staff,” Garber said. “There’s nothing better than when our players set foot in a major league stadium, the pride that you have. . . . We have pride in them, they have pride in us, we’re trying to do this all together.” “We all search for that World Series ring just like that big league staff,” Garber said. “There’s nothing better than when our players set foot in a major league stadium, the pride that you have. . . . We have pride in them. They have pride in us. We’re trying to do this all together.”