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Nationals Report: Minor league report Date published: 6/15/2006
By TODD JACOBSON WASHINGTON--Since he was drafted in the sixth round out of Loyola Marymount in 2003, there has never been a question about Josh Whitesell's bat. "He has power, just raw power," Nationals farm director Andy Dunn said. But the strapping first baseman's glove has always lagged behind his prodigious bat. "We know he's gonna hit," Dunn said. "We know he's a big strong kid and he's going to hit for power. We wanted to make sure Josh understood there are two phases to his game. We really worked him extremely hard to continue to work to be better defensively in spring training." The process is coming along slowly, the results trickling in for the 6-foot-3 first baseman. Whitesell, 24, has struggled at times with the glove, making nine errors in 57 games with the Senators, but the errors haven't impacted his hitting. He slugged 39 homers in his first 2 minor league seasons, finishing fourth in Washington's minor league system with 18 homers at Single-A Potomac last season. He was hitting .259 entering play yesterday, and his nine homers at Harrisburg are tied for the lead among Nationals farmhands. New Orleans third baseman Brandon Larson, Harrisburg third baseman Kory Casto and Savannah catcher Brian Peacock also have nine homers. The minor leagues are filled with power hitters who lack a complete game, however, which is why Dunn challenged Whitesell to improve his defense. Whitesell is already blocked in the organizational ladder by Nick Johnson in the majors and Triple-A first baseman Larry Broadway. "To go with the power, you got to be a guy who is outstanding with the glove," Dunn said. "He's making progress and he'll just have to continue to work." Injuries took a toll on the early part of Whitesell's career. He was a pitcher until he hurt his arm during his freshman year at Loyola Marymount, and also broke his back early in his college career when he was in a car accident. He still cramps up on long bus rides, but the injury hasn't taken a toll on his swing or his attitude. "Whitey is a hard-nosed player," Dunn said. "That's what I like about him. You can challenge him and he is going to respond and I respect that in a player. We want him to keep swinging the bat and keep playing and he is going to be a pretty good hitter."
To reach TODD JACOBSON:
1. Be respectful. No personal attacks.
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