Biggest Spring Standout: Washington Nationals
We continue our look at the top spring standouts for each team around the majors. Still in the NL East, the Washington Nationals are in the early stages of a big rebuild. They've brought in a number of top prospects over the last two seasons in massive trades for Trea Turner, Max Scherzer and Juan Soto.
One of those prospects this spring has been showing a hint of the big-time upside that made him so highly regarded.
25-year-old starting pitcher Josiah Gray, obtained from the Los Angeles Dodgers at the 2021 trade deadline, could be ready to take that next massive step, if he standout spring performance is any indication.
Gray allowed just one earned run in 16 innings pitched in the Grapefruit League, with 14 strikeouts against just two walks. His 0.55 ERA and 0.92 WHIP make him the Nats' biggest riser this spring.
His four-seam fastball was hit hard and with regularity last season, helping lead to a 5.02 ERA and a major league-high 38 home runs served up. But this spring, he was going more with a cutter, and less with the four-seamer. The change in pitch-mix seems to be doing a world of good for the former 2nd-round pick.
Gray will start the second game of the season for the Nats, against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday.
Other spring standouts around the majors:
Photo: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports
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