 |
Ben Braymer Born: 4/28/94 Ht. 6’2″ Wt. 215 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats |
In 2018, Braymer bounced back and forth between the rotation and the ‘pen, just as he did as LSU-Eunice and Auburn during his college days. He did well enough at both to earn a trip to the AFL, though he was hit hard. Scouts believe that was due to some mechanical tweaks. They also say a below-average CH will probably ticket him for the ‘pen with a ceiling of a LOOGY. | |
 |
Nick Raquet Born: 10/9/96 Ht. 6′ Wt. 215 Bats: R Throws: L Career Stats |
Raquet split 2018 (12GS each) between Low-A and High-A. He was an All-Star at the former, but not at the latter as the more experienced hitters weren’t as easily fooled by his guile. Works off a high-80s FB but his best pitch is the SL, followed by the CH, though there’s little separation (~83). Uses his CV as a show-me pitch but it will prolly be shelved eventually, as scouts also believe he’s best suited to relief. | |
 |
Aaron Fletcher Born: 2/25/96 Ht. 6′ Wt. 220 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats |
Fletcher, who came down with Nats elbow in 2016, was selected in 2018 in the 14th Rd. from Univ. of Houston after a 7-3, 2.19 mark in his first season as a starter. After one GCL outing, he was sent to the NYPL where he made 12 appearances, but none more than three innings. Clocked in the high 80s, his primary offspeed pitch is the curve, followed by the change. | |
 |
Gilberto Chu Born: 11/19/97 Ht. 5’11” Wt. 160 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats |
Chu has languished in short-season ball for four seasons now and has been on our radar for putting up good-but-not-great numbers. This is a testament to his age and dexterity, but at some point he needs to break camp in April – especially after working exclusively in relief the past two summers. | |
 |
Carson Teel Born: 12/17/95 Ht. 6′ Wt. 160 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats |
In the 16th Rd. of 2018, the Nats picked this guy, an undersized lefty who can work in the low-90s and touch 94. Primarily uses a FB/CU/SL arsenal with an occasional changeup. Like Fletcher, 2018 was his first significant experience as a starter but was limited to 2-3 inning outings, mostly at Auburn. | |
 |
Tim Cate Born: 9/30/97 Ht. 6′ Wt. 185 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats |
The company line is that Cate spent the summer working on his FB and CH since his CV is reportedly MLB-ready. Scouts say his FB had dropped 5-7 mph by the end of the summer and hitters were teeing off on location mistakes. A lack of size also concerns them, not to mention he’s already had one TJ surgery. Most likely, he’ll be asked to start until he proves them wrong and/or regains velocity. | |
 |
Alfonso Hernandez Born: 8/3/99 Ht. 5’11” Wt. 162 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats |
A 2018 “DSL Guy,” Hernandez was moved back to the bullpen after starting in 2017 and split last summer between the GCL (13G) and the NYPL(3G). His peripherals took a jump at the latter, going from 2.1 BB/9 to 4.29, 8.3 K/9 to 6.9, and 2.71 FIP to 3.79. Curiously, he has yet to give up a HR in three seasons (116 IP). Best bet for ’19: a return trip to Auburn. |