General manager and president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo and Nationals manager Davey Martinez spoke about the right-hander’s rise within the organization ahead of 2019 first-round pick Jackson Rutledge’s major league debut this season. .
“I’m happy with his progress and growth,” Rizzo told reporters in September.
“I think he’s earned the opportunity to pitch in the big leagues. It’ll be fun to see him pitch in the big leagues a few times before this season is over.”
Rutledge was plagued by injuries during his college and early pro career, but the 6-foot-8 starter made some adjustments, managed to stay healthy and earned an opportunity to step up in recent seasons.
“He got fired — I can’t say that — when he was in the minor leagues,” Rizzo told D.C.’s Sports Junkies 106.7 Fan. [San Jacinto Junior College] — It’s going to take a little bit more time than it would have if he came from an SEC program or a program like that, and he’s had some hurt and struggled with it, but he’s been solid the last two years. He picks up the ball every five days. What we’re trying to accomplish for these pitchers here at the major league level and at the minor league level — because so many pitchers get injured — is for them to finish a full season happy and healthy.I think we’re going in the right direction. [Rutledge] He showed progression from A-ball to Double-A to Triple-A. He’s earned the right to make his major league debut, and no matter what happens this year, he’ll be a key part of what we do here and the Nationals moving forward with the rest of the young rotation and young players. will be fulfilled. The minor leagues we have. ”
Rizzo said he considers Rutledge as part of the Nationals’ rotation along with other young pitchers.
“We’re excited about it [Josiah] gray, [MacKenzie] Goa, [Jake] In the big leagues, you have Irvin, and Rutledge and Cole Henry, and [Jake] Bennett*,” he explained. [Cade] Cavalli and a group of players who will all be in the big leagues in the near future. ”
[ed. note – “Unfortunately, Jake Bennett, a 2019 39th Round pick, underwent Tommy John surgery this past September, after Rizzo’s comments, so he’ll miss all or most of 2024, as MASN’s Bobby Blanco noted in a recent write-up on the left-handed pitcher.”]
“We have some very young talented players,” Martinez added, noting that Rutledge is one of several young prospects who made it to the majors this year.
“Some of them we traded, some of them were in organizations that we developed, and Root is one of them. He’s one of our No. I’m really happy that they’re growing up. It’s been a lot of fun. It’s been fun to get them up here. And like I said, the end goal for all of them is just to get up here. It’s not just about getting up here and staying there.
“That’s what we expect from them. I had a lot of fun with these guys, really fun. And I love teaching.
“So it’s going to be a lot of fun to bring young kids here again and teach them how to be pros and Major League Baseball players.”
[ed. note – “There were 10 players total who made their MLB debuts for the Nationals this season, tying their franchise record from the 2015 campaign. Can you name them all? We’ll hide the answers in the comments below at some point soon…”]
Rutledge started 23 games and appeared in 119 IP this year between Double-A and Triple-A for the Nationals, totaling a 3.71 ERA, 55 walks (4.16/9 BB), and 106 strikeouts (8.02 K/9). 9), with a batting average of .227. BAA, and 1.27 WHIP, (He started 12 games at AA Harrisburg and had a 3.16 ERA, and started 11 games at AAA Rochester with a 4.44 ERA.), he received the opportunity to pitch in the major leagues late in the season.
He ended up starting four games in the majors, giving up 24 hits and 15 runs in 20 innings (ERA 6.75, FIP 5.86), he had six walks and 12 strikeouts, and opposing batters posted a combined line of .304/.364/.519 against him.
Late in the season, he spoke about how much the opportunity to test himself against major league competition meant to him.
“It tells me I belong here,” Rutledge told reporters after his final outing. Quoted by Mark Zuckerman of MASN.
“Even against one of the best batting lineups in baseball, I can do it. I can be successful. That gives me confidence moving forward.”
As Rizzo explained before Rutledge’s debut, this was just a first step, an opportunity to get the starter accustomed to major league life for the future.
“We expect him to get his feet wet, make his debut, start a few games in the big leagues before the season ends, and then come to spring training and compete for one of the five starting spots. We’re looking forward to it being available in ’24. ”
Could Rutledge’s performance in the majors and minors this season earn him a spot in the rotation in 2024? Do you think he will start the 24 season on the Nationals’ major league roster?
