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Eckstein |
BY RICH CAMPBELL
WASHINGTON--
Hitting coach Lenny Harris will have some company during the last month of the season as the Washington Nationals try to avoid finishing as baseball's worst offense.Rick Eckstein, the hitting coach at Triple-A Columbus and the third base coach for the U.S. Olympic team, will be added to the Nationals' coaching staff next week.
Eckstein joined the club yesterday after returning from Beijing on Monday. Columbus' season ends on Sept. 1, the day major-league teams are allowed to add an additional coach. Rather than return to Columbus for only a couple days, he came to Washington to get acclimated.
"There's a reason why [U.S. manager] Davey Johnson picked him to be one of his coaches on the Olympic team--because he's that good," Nationals general manager Jim Bowden said. "We've been very impressed by all aspects of his work ethic. Whether he's teaching hitting or whether he's doing infield or any way he's contributing, he's just a baseball rat that loves the game. He's highly intelligent and well-respected by the players. We think he brings something special to the table."
Eckstein, the brother of former World Series MVP David Eckstein, helped Columbus begin yesterday with a .264 team average, the seventh-best mark in the 14-team International League.
He will help coach a Nationals offense that ranks among the worst in the majors in many significant statistical categories. Entering yesterday, Washington ranked last in runs per game (3.7) and 29th out of 30 teams in batting average (.240).
Asked what his duties will be, Eckstein said: "Just assisting [manager] Manny [Acta] and the coaching staff in any way. Batting practice, video work, whatever."
Eckstein has never been a full-time major-league hitting coach. He was added to the St. Louis Cardinals' staff last September after spending most of the year with Triple-A Memphis. He was a minor league hitting coach in Washington's organization from 2004-2006.
In the clubhouse before yesterday's game, Eckstein caught up with several players he coached this season at Columbus.
"He puts a lot of time into his craft," outfielder Ryan Langerhans said. "He spends a lot of time looking at film and analyzing film. He really helped out with a lot. He compares swings from good days and bad days. He made himself available a lot to go do some extra work and things like that."
Eckstein said he was proud of Team USA's bronze medal in Beijing. Though he didn't attend many events other than baseball, he visited the U.S. men's basketball team during practice and met the team.
He savored most--but not all--of his introduction to Chinese culture.
"China wanted to show the world what they were about. They put a lot into, and I tell you, it was nice," Eckstein said. "On the other hand, you can order any type of dog you want [to eat]. I didn't want to try any of that."
Dukes back in lineup
Elijah Dukes started in right field last night after being activated from the disabled list following Tuesday night's game. Dukes missed 19 games with a strained right calf and, for the second time this season, returned from the DL sooner than expected.
"I just heal a little quicker, but, at the same time, this is another injury that's more pain tolerance," Dukes said. "I'm able to endure a lot of pain."
Dukes has missed 72 games this season because of three separate injuries. He strained his right hamstring on Opening Night and missed 34 games. He tore the meniscus and partially tore the patellar tendon in his right knee on July 5, had surgery and missed another 19 games. Two days after returning from that injury, he strained his calf.
Dukes has been one of the Nationals' most productive hitters this season, when healthy. He began yesterday hitting .264 with six homers, 23 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.
"He's another guy that we've got to continue to look at and see if he can bring to the table what he was bringing before he went down," Acta said.
Dukes said he'd be willing to play winter ball this offseason to make up for lost time.
Gonzalez earns Gulf
Nationals shortstop prospect Esmailyn Gonzalez won the rookie-level Gulf Coast League batting title by hitting .350 in 50 games.
Gonzalez, 18, went 62-for-177 with 12 doubles, three triples, two homers and 33 RBIs. He had 23 walks, 18 strikeouts and stole nine bases.
"He was able to be healthy this year," Bowden said. "He came in shape and worked really hard. He has just come a long way in a short period of time. We're excited about him. Next year, obviously, we expect him to progress."
Washington gave Gonzalez, a Dominican native, a $1.4 million signing bonus two summers ago. According to a Sports Illustrated Internet report last month, the signing is a focus of a federal investigation into an alleged financial scandal involving major-league teams and signing bonuses for Dominican prospects.
Bowden said that Gonzalez will begin next season at Single-A Hagerstown.
Rich Campbell: 540/735-1974
Email: rcampbell@freelancestar.com
