Updated Wednesday, October 6:
On Wednesday, October 6, 2021, Major League Baseball announced the players for the Nationals that will be playing in the Arizona Fall League.
Here are the official players:
- Jackson Rutledge, RHP (No. 3);
- Cole Henry, RHP (No. 7);
- Donovan Casey, OF (No. 18);
- Jackson Cluff, SS (No. 19);
- Drew Millas, C (No. 20);
- Israel Pineda, C (No. 27) (Taxi Squad)
- Todd Peterson, RHP
Well, taking a break from the big leagues, we have some news about some of the Washington Nationals prospects. According to a source, we have learned that RHP Cole Henry, RHP Todd Peterson, RHP Jackson Rutledge, and will be heading to this year’s Arizona Fall League.
Every year since 1992, the Arizona Fall League has been a development tool for all 30 teams, a place for the top prospects in the game to refine their craft and often jump to the big leagues in the following seasons.
Each Major League team will send seven players to fill the rosters of the six teams.
The 2021 Arizona Fall League will begin on Wednesday, Oct. 13, and will consist of 30 regular-season games. The annual Fall Stars Game, the Futures Game of the Arizona Fall League, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 13. The Championship Game will take place one week later, on Nov. 20.
The Latest on Washington Nationals Prospects on The Nats Report
RHP Cole Henry
Drafted in 2020, by the Washington Nationals in the second round with the 55th overall pick. Henry went to Louisiana State University and spent the past season with the Wilmington Blue Rocks, the Nationals High-A Affiliate. Henry pitched in 11 games and in 47 innings this season and went 3-5 with an ERA of 2.30, had 70 strikeouts, and had a WHIP of 0.85.
Currently, Henry is ranked #8 in the Washington Nationals prospect list and is considered to be a huge part of the future of the Washington Nationals rotation along with Cade Cavalli and Jackson Rutledge.
RHP Todd Peterson
Drafted in 2019, by the Washington Nationals in the 7th round. Peterson went to Louisiana State University and spent the past season with the Wilmington Blue Rocks, the Nationals High-A Affiliate where he pitched a total of 35.1 innings over 20 games and had a 2-1 record with a 3.82 ERA and 36 strikeouts which gave him a WHIP of 1.25.
RHP Jackson Rutledge
Drafted in 2019, by the Washington Nationals with the 17th overall pick. Rutledge went to the University of Arkansas and then attended San Jacinto College in Houston, Texas.
Shoulder and blister problems have limited Rutledge further in what could have been his first full campaign in 2021. Rutledge has been impressive on the mound since returning to full strength.
Currently, Rutledge is ranked #4 in the Washington Nationals prospect list and is considered to be a huge part of the future of the Washington Nationals pitching rotation along with Cade Cavalli and Cole Henry. It is very possible that we could see Rutledge along with Cavalli in the Majors next season or jumping from Low A to Triple-A baseball.
Catcher Israel Pineda
Out of the International league, Catcher Israel Pineda is currently ranked 28 out of 30 in the Washington Nationals prospect list. During this past season, Pineda played in 77 games and had 293 at-bats with a batting average of .208.
Pineda had 48 RBI’s, 14 Home Runs, 61 hits, and a slugging percentage of .389, and an OPS of .649 Pineda’s ranking has jumped due to his caught-stealing rate improving to around 40%.
LHP Evan Lee
Left-hander Evan Lee was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 15th round of the 2018 Amateur Draft. Lee has been pitching in Wilmington during the 2021 season where he went 4-3 with an ERA of 4.32. Lee pitched in 21 games and in 77 innings and has recorded 104 strikeouts and has a WHIP of 1.31.
SS Jackson Cluff
Short-stop Jackson Cluff was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the sixth round of the 2019 Draft out of Brigham Young University
During the 2021 season, Cluff had 159 at-bats with the Harrisburg Senators. His batting average of .214 and had a total of 34 hits and with an OPS of .595.
