LHPs

		Seth Romero Born: 4/19/96 Ht. 6’3″ Wt. 240 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats	Romero hadn’t pitched in a game that counted since August of 2018, but, like many others, made his MLB Debut in 2020. After three less-than-stellar relief outings, he injured his non-pitching hand while reportedly falling down a set of stairs. Despite working in relief, his FB velocity was down but his plus SL was improved. Whether he returns to a starting role will likely be influenced by team need as well as his durability.
		Carson Teel Born: 12/17/95 Ht. 6′ Wt. 160 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats	2019 was a rollercoaster for the slight southpaw, as Teel went from the Low-A ‘pen to starting an AA playoff game. While mostly used as a starter, the more likely scenario is that he’ll be converted to relief where his low-90s FB can play up to the mid-90s that the Nats covet. His secondary pitches round out the “classic repertoire” with a CV, SL, and CH.
		Tim Cate Born: 9/30/97 Ht. 6′ Wt. 185 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats	After splitting time between Low- and High-A in 2019, Cate seemed to be on track to start 2020 in AA, which is often a defining level – especially for an undersized pitcher who doesn’t throw hard. The CV is his best pitch and he reportedly made progress in developing the CH at the Alternate Training Site. Double-A still seems the mot likely place for the 23-y.o. to start 2021.
		Matt Cronin Born: 2/25/96 Ht. 6’2″ Wt. 195 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats	Cronin was a candidate to pitch two or three levels in 2020, and that may still be true in 2021. He struck out 41 of 85 batters faced in his first pro season (16.8 K/9) at Low-A, using a mid-90s FB and a 12-6 CV. BA hints that he wasn’t as dominant at Fredericksburg, alluding to “more experienced hitters,” so it’s possible he may not leap frog High-A as some have suggested. On the other hand, the Nats do have a history of moving hard-throwing relievers up the ladder very quickly – especially if there’s a need.
		Alex Troop Born: 7/23/96 Ht. 6’5″ Wt. 210 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats	After being shelved from May 2018 to June 2019, Troop “rehabbed” in Auburn for three appearances and returned to Hagerstown a third time for eleven more outings, putting up a line of 2.18/2.58/0.76 with 34K in 33IP and a career-high 44 innings total (well, post-college at least). High-A still seems like his likely assignment for 2021.
		Alfonso Hernandez Born: 8/3/99 Ht. 5’11” Wt. 162 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats	If you wanted to name the least-known pitching prospect, Alfonso Hernandez just might be your guy. He made it to the NYPL just two weeks after his 19th birthday and made three strong long-relief outings, picking up a win. He returned to Auburn and put up a 2.51/1.82/1.08 line in 10G (1GS) and 32⅓ IP. The Low-A batters had their way with him (10R, 17H, 18IP) but somehow his next HR allowed will still be his first.
		Gilberto Chu Born: 11/19/97 Ht. 5’11” Wt. 160 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats	Chu has been on our radar for several seasons with good-but-not-great numbers with the usual caveats of being young and lefthanded. Would he have finally gotten his first full-season assignment in 2020? We’ll never know. The only thing we do know is that the Nats valued him enough to protect him from the minor-league phase of the 2019 Rule 5 draft.
		Evan Lee Born: 6/18/97 Ht. 6’1″ Wt. 200 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats	The Nats’ 15th-Rd. pick in 2018 went both ways for Arkansas, but has only pitched as (very poorly paid) pro. Despite making just two appearances in his draft year, Lee went to Auburn in 2019 and made 12 for the Doubledays—the last three as a starter—with a line of 2.65/3.34/1.38 over 34 innings. Picked as a “sleeper” by BA in the 2021 Prospect Handbook.
		Lucas Knowles Born: 3/14/98 Ht. 6’1″ Wt. 175 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats	The good news is that Knowles has already contracted Nationals elbow and put in a pair of 80-innings-plus collegiate seasons. The bad news is that he’ll be 23 and yet to pitch full-season ball in 2021. He was named to the 2020 list primarily due to pitching at two levels as well as his age and dexterity.
		José Ferrer Born: 3/3/00 Ht. 5’11” Wt. 180 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats	Ferrer struck out an ungodly 53 DSL batters in 30IP in 2018 (15.9/9IP), despite mediocre velocity (87-93) and an average CV. However, scouts say he has good command for his age and a “feel for spin,” though stateside hitters were able to draw considerably more walks (3.3 vs. 5.4 per 9IP) and he “only” struck out 24 in 21⅔ IP in 2019.
		Bryan Peña Born: 1/10/00 Ht. 6’1″ Wt. 175 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats	Like Ferrer, Peña was a “DSL Arm” on the 2019 watchlist and turned a strong follow-up in his second pro season, posting a 0.92/2.62/1.19 line with 34K and 11BB in 29⅓ innings. Nine of his outings were for two or more, so it’s possible his move to relief in the GCL was to accommodate the evaluation of ’19 draft picks as well as (the usual bevy of) rehab outings.