Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jackson Rutledge has been recalled to start against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday. The 25-year-old will make at least one start in the rotation, but it's uncertain if he'll remain there following the All-Star break. Rutledge has a 6.66 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, and 70/40 K/BB ratio across 16 starts in Triple-A this season. It's hard to imagine him having much success against the Brewers on Friday. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for a streaming option for Friday's slate.
The Washington Nationals promoted right-handed pitching prospect Jackson Rutledge from Double-A Harrisburg to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday. The former first-round pick in 2019 and current No. 11 prospect for the Nats, according to MLB Pipeline, went 6-1 with a 3.16 ERA and 1.098 WHIP while striking out 62 and walking 25 in 68 1/3 innings in his 12 starts for Harrisburg to earn the promotion. The 24-year-old had struggled in previous seasons due to injuries and inconsistency, but he's putting it all together in 2023 and could be a candidate to join Washington's starting rotation later this year. Rutledge is primarily a ground-ball pitcher with a fastball-slider combination, and he should be challenging for a rotation spot in D.C. to begin the 2024 season.
Washington Nationals pitching prospect Jackson Rutledge made his spring debut on Thursday with a scoreless inning of work. The 17th-overall selection from the 2019 draft allowed a hit to Brandon Nimmo but promptly picked him off first base. Rutledge then struck out both Jeff McNeil and Dominic Smith, the former on a fastball and the latter with a slider. Rutledge mixed in four different pitches and touched 98 mph with his heater. With modest pitching depth in the system, this promising hurler has a chance to move quickly and could see time in the Majors in 2021. If he continues to throw strikes, he could one day develop into the ace of the staff.
Jackson Rutledge
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Nationals
