Photo courtesy MiLB.com

• The Nationals made their next round of cuts from the major league camp and two of the players that got reassigned to AAA but excited manager Davey Johnson were Erik Davis (’11-’12) and Zach Walters (’12). “He has big league stuff,” Johnson said about Davis, “The command of both those pitches and a little more experience and if he does that it’s all about controlling your emotions and staying within yourself and reading hitters and reading situations and pitching accordingly and that comes from experience, but he’s been impressive.” Johnson similarly gushed about Walters, “He reminds me a lot of where [Ian] Desmond was at a couple, two or three years ago. I like his upside. He’s got tremendous ability and he’s learning who he is, and knows what he needs to do. I think this spring was good for him.”

• Danny Rosenbaum (’11-’12) has made a case for himself making the Rockies’ pitching staff with a strong spring training. Rosey consulted Craig Stammen (’08) for advice on relieving, “When I found out that was the role I was going to be put in, I tried to pick his brain because he was one of the best middle-relief guys in the game last year.”

• As new manager of the Altoona Curve, Carlos Garcia (’89-’90) is excited for the talent in the Pirates’ organization and the impact guys like Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon can make.

• His dad Jerry and the lawn-mower trailer get most of the attention, but Brad Peacock (’10-’11) owes most of his baseball success to his mom Jacyne. She was the one who cultivated Brad’s talents, practiced with him in the backyard, and even managed his Little League team. (Houston Chronicle [Ortiz])

• Derek Norris (’11) remade his body and his swing during the offseason. He followed a strict vegetable-heavy diet and worked out with a trainer to drop more than 10 pounds. He also worked with coach Paul Sanigorski to correct a problem he identified late last year when his front hip was leaking out early.

• Despite Team USA falling short, Brandon Phillips (’01-’02) enjoyed the World Baseball Classic experience stating, “Right now, the highlight of my career is playing in the WBC, wearing that red, white and blue on my chest. It’s the best thing to ever happen to me.”

• Don’t forget that this Saturday is the Senators Annual FanFest with an Easter egg hunt, Ballpark tours, hitting in the batting cages, a Rascal book reading, and locker room photos. The festivities will run from 10 AM through 1 PM and admission and parking are free for the event.

Old Faces, New Places

• Salomon Manriquez (’04, ’06) signed with the Camden Riversharks after a tumultous 2012 that saw him play for four different teams across three different leagues.

• Telemarket Rimini of the Italian Baseball League signed third baseman Ramon Castro (’05) to bolster the offense for the upcoming season.