The Nationals' new focus
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo wants his team to run more. That doesn't always mean more stolen bases. That means better focus and more aggressiveness on the bases.
"It's a mindset," Rizzo said. "Last year we ranked 30th in scoring from second base. That told me we had to be more athletic, but it also told me we have to be more aware and more aggressive on the bases -- secondary leads, looking to take the extra base. ... [Third-base coach] Bo Porter has been a big part of bringing that kind of aggressiveness this spring.
"We also added veterans like Jerry Hairston and Jayson Werth, guys who are not just good base runners but also who share what they know with the younger guys. Jerry Hairston said every time he gets on first base he checks the position of the outfielders. I asked some of our younger guys if they ever did that and a few of them told me they never had heard of it."