Riggleman talks to Nats bloggers

Jim Riggleman, who, earlier this week had the interim tag removed from his title as manager of the Washington Nationals, spoke over the phone to Nats bloggers today. Here are some highlights of the conversation.

Improvements needed for 2010: Jim Riggleman wants progress on defense and doesn’t want offensive players who can’t field their position. Cut down on errors and need guys with range when the ball is in the air.

Young players in Nats system playing in Arizona Fall League is a great path to the Major League. “To go there and play well really does help your progress toward making the ball club in April.” AFL players are “cream of the crop.” I think it is fair to say that if Nats fans want to know which players team management are highest on, look to the AFL for answers.

Riggleman won’t commit on giving Drew Storen a spot in the bullpen even if he has a good AFL season. “Drew signed quickly last year and that’s a great thing…His path to the Big leagues is definitely sped up.” His role, if he made the team, would be in the middle relief, 6-8 innings.

Stolen base success rate is a product of the talent on the ball club. The steroid era changed everything because you didn’t want to make outs on the base paths when home runs were so common. With the end of the steroid era, teams will go back to creating runs thru stolen bases and the success rate on stolen bases will go up to 75% or so, which is where it needs to be.

Riggleman likes Ian Desmond at short stop and would be comfortable with him there. Have to put up with some more errors with a young SS, but you get payback with the range of a player like Desmond.Read it all

Riggleman talks to Nats bloggers