'Your papers, please' must never be heard in America
The grease boards, as he calls them, are stored in Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo's office. The markers he uses on them have been worn out, replaced, and worn out again.
Skole and younger brother Jake, a first-round pick by the Texas Rangers in 2010, share an apartment in the offseason and talk nearly every day during the season.
As the Washington Nationals' were paring their spring training roster, preparing for their first round of cuts Monday, third base coach Bo Porter saw Corey Brown's name on the list and put in a plea to keep him.
Nationals' lefty Matt Purke pitched three sharp innings — his longest professional outing — in a 3-0 exhibition win Friday against Georgetown.
Nationals spring training roster
Matt Purke felt relief the minute he became a member of the Washington Nationals.
As the Nationals have gone about developing their farm system, they've amassed an embarrassment of riches at catcher. They're also facing a crossroads with some of that depth.
The Washington Nationals completed their 2011 roster expansion Tuesday, adding right-hander Brad Peacock and infielder Steve Lombardozzi, along with right-handers Yunesky Maya, Craig Stammen, left-hander Atahualpa Severino and outfielder Corey Brown.
When Baseball America's 2011 draft preview was sent off in late May, it projected Anthony Rendon and Alex Meyer would be off the board after the sixth pick. It listed Brian Goodwin as the sixth-best center fielder available. Many thought Rendon would be the first-overall selection, and there wasn't much hope that if Meyer made it past the Washington Nationals' first pick at six, he'd still be there at No. 23.
Matt Purke knew his talent, but he knew his body, too. He knew that the way he performed this spring for Texas Christian University, missing a month with shoulder bursitis and never standing on a mound fully healthy, would be problematic as a draft-eligible sophomore.
This year, there was no Bryce Harper and no Stephen Strasburg. There was no No. 1 overall pick deemed once-in-a-generation waiting until the clock struck midnight to relent, get paid record sums and join the Washington Nationals.
The Chicago Cubs hope they've drafted a Great One.
On the first day of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft, the Washington Nationals sent a message for their strategy this year: We're not afraid to take a risk.
The Chicago Cubs hope they've drafted a Great One.
The second time around at TCU hasn't been as perfect for Matt Purke, the left-hander who has already been a first-round draft pick once _ and could be again next week.
"I would love to play against him one day, or even with him," Matt said. "But it's just fun to have somebody going through the same things you are."
Nationals prospect Matt Skole has brotherly support as he works through minors →
"He's one of the best athletes I've ever seen," Matt said of his brother. "It's no question in my mind he has the talent, the ability, to do everything."
Nationals prospect Matt Skole has brotherly support as he works through minors →
