February 25th, 2021
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The Washington Nationals announced the inaugural Phil Rizzo Scout of the Year Award on Thursday. The award will be given annually to the Washington Nationals scout who represents the integrity, character, and work ethic exemplified by Phil Rizzo. Steve Arnieri, Special Assistant to the President of Baseball Operations and General Manager, is the first winner. The award will be presented annually at the baseball Winter Meetings. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.
Arnieri has been with the Nationals since the fall of 2006 when he joined the organization as an area supervisor scouting amateur players in the Midwest, Upper Midwest and Canada. He was named Special Assistant to the President of Baseball Operations and General Manager on Dec. 23, 2014. Arnieri provided extensive scouting reports on Trea Turner, Joe Ross, Blake Treinen, Drew Storen, Tanner Roark and Aaron Barrett. He was a trusted voice in the recent signings of Kyle Schwarber and Jon Lester and he is credited with signing eventual Major Leaguers Jordan Zimmermann, James Bourque, and Jake Smolinski out of the First-Year Player Draft.