Adam Dunn Prepares For 1B By Practicing Jiu-jitsu

Kung-Fu DONKEY

Pitchers and catchers weren’t the only ones in Viera working out this week. Lots of Nationals players showed up early in an effort to make some drastic improvements over the past two 100+ loss seasons.

A big part of the Nats’ problems has been team defense. And while the SABR-heads out there will tell you that there are better defensive metrics for judging fielding abilities, one still can’t help but notice the Nats led the majors in errors last season – an honor they certainly would love to pass on to another team this season.

The Nats made some defensive upgrades over last year’s opening day roster: Nyjer Morgan makes a much better defensive CF than Lastings Milledge and Adam Kennedy will certainly be an improvement over the Ronnie Belliard/Alberto Gonzalez combo and in the event Jesus Flores goes down (yet again) the Nats have a future Hall of Famer to back him up behind the plate. Three of those four “up the middle” positions upgraded in 2010 makes for a potentially better season already.

However, one other move that was made late last year was the move from LF to 1B for the man they call “The Donkey.” Adam Dunn struggled in the World Baseball Classic at 1B, but over the course of two months, Dunn showed signs of actually being able to play the position at a minimum service-ably.

When it came to covering the bag and receiving throws from other infielders, Dunn looked like he might have been playing 1B his whole life, but when he had to move and field the ball himself (whether a grounder or a pop-up), Dunn looked like a little-leaguer at times.

So Dunn came to camp looking to improve:

"I've taken a lot [of ground balls]. I don't know how many," Dunn said. "I don't even want to throw a number. It's just more learning, showing me how to get ready. I didn't even know what foot to take the first step with, to lead with…”

Fielding often starts “from the ground up” and, as such, Dunn’s been working with coaches Tim Foli and Pat Listach on his footwork. He’s also been taking Jiu-jitsu in the off-season in an effort to achieve better balance on the diamond. Jiu-jitsu – literally translated – is “the art of softness” which is essential to playing infield. Outfielders can be large lumbering oxes (or donkeys) but infielders have to have great footwork and great hands to make some of the plays that are required of them – especially on the major league level.

So between intense focus in Spring Training and his new found love for the martial arts, here’s to hoping Dunn can provide more to the Nats at the first sack than they’ve had over the past bunch of years between an ineffective Dmitri Young and an oft-injured Nick Johnson. Plus, perhaps now we as Nats fans have the possibility that Chase Utley hits a screamer down the line trying to turn it into a double when….WHAM! … he’s struck by a spinning heel kick knocking his teeth down his throat – Kung-Fu Donkey style.