I know this kid:)) His dad owned and ran the indoor baseball practice facility that I worked out in for maybe 15 yrs. I just quit doing that in March. Very happy for Chris and his Dad Dereck Hacopian.
And I see his Dad did too and that his Dad is instructor who has a baseball hitting facility. So he looks like he’s been immersed in formal instruction and has had access to year round hitting.
He’s local and comes from a baseball family. From what I can see he can hit and is expected to play 2B, maybe 1B in the majors…. I like that he doesn’t look like a long term project.
I used to get angry at the relievers when they’d blow a lead. Chief! Henry R.! Storen! Papelbomb! Finny!
Now I get mad at the guys in charge — Toboni and Butera — for trading away the closers we had, for not signing a closer to replace them, for not signing starters that they trust to actually start games, for using up relievers by having them act as openers, for asking nonclosers to close. And now Butera realizes, Hmm, maybe there’s more to closing than just matchups.
Getting mad at the “closer” now is like getting mad about an error by a catcher playing second base because the manager screwed up substitutions late in the game.
Just my preference but I’d rather see the starter give up a couple runs in the early innings while we have multiple innings to overcome the deficit. Then we have a solid lefty to hold the fort late.
Last time Nats faced a Cy Young front-runner they hung 5 on him quick. Let’s hope that part of the history repeats..
They can hit the ball against anyone except The Miz. The key (like always) will be run prevention.
At #11 in the first round of the 2026 MLB Draft, the Nationals select Chris Hacopian, infielder (2B) from Texas A&M.
https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/draft/chris-hacopian-806680
I know this kid:)) His dad owned and ran the indoor baseball practice facility that I worked out in for maybe 15 yrs. I just quit doing that in March. Very happy for Chris and his Dad Dereck Hacopian.
Before he shifted to TEXAS A&M, he played at the University. of Maryland.
And I see his Dad did too and that his Dad is instructor who has a baseball hitting facility. So he looks like he’s been immersed in formal instruction and has had access to year round hitting.
What a small world. That is great.
He’s local and comes from a baseball family. From what I can see he can hit and is expected to play 2B, maybe 1B in the majors…. I like that he doesn’t look like a long term project.
Yup, Chris can HIT a ton:))
Yeah, I thought his name was familiar. I remember Derek Hacopian.
He (Chris) attended Churchill H.S.
I think Derek made it to AAA in his playing days; not sure about that though
We saw something rare last week in Boston: https://substack.com/home/post/p-206327300
Yay Pearl Harbor Crew bombs away Butera!!!
I used to get angry at the relievers when they’d blow a lead. Chief! Henry R.! Storen! Papelbomb! Finny!
Now I get mad at the guys in charge — Toboni and Butera — for trading away the closers we had, for not signing a closer to replace them, for not signing starters that they trust to actually start games, for using up relievers by having them act as openers, for asking nonclosers to close. And now Butera realizes, Hmm, maybe there’s more to closing than just matchups.
Getting mad at the “closer” now is like getting mad about an error by a catcher playing second base because the manager screwed up substitutions late in the game.
I remember that catcher at 2B. He is now a regular on MLB TV. His name escapes me right now:))
Nice little touch of snark there, Mr. Zuckerman . . . "You won't believe this, but . . . " Butera saving Poulin for his opener.
Just my preference but I’d rather see the starter give up a couple runs in the early innings while we have multiple innings to overcome the deficit. Then we have a solid lefty to hold the fort late.
Not sure I agree with the "solid bullpen lefty" suggestion.
Mikolas giving up 7 last start is still fresh in my mind…
on paper we have only the smallest chance to win this game; so, given how baseball works, we probably will. It will be interesting to see how.
Poulin in one inning and one day too late…
Grind those at-bats gentlemen and get that starter out early
Or just crush homers that works too
Let's get a CURLY W TODAY!! That is all (for now).
Nats and Yankees are underway on a steamy, 86-degree Saturday afternoon in D.C.
First version of the draft story coming shortly!
SEMI-HOUDINI!!
Sign the man long term while you might still have a chance. Wood HR.
JW with a.nice leadoff HR, 9th of season to get us the lead!
JAMES WOOD IS A MONSTER BEAST WITH YET ANOTHER LEADOFF DINGER!!