LHPs

		Matt Cronin Born: 9/20/97 Ht. 6’2″ Wt. 197 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats	After another two-level season in ’22, the 25-y.o. southpaw was added to the 40-man roster and would seem poised to make his MLB debut in ’23. Works primarily with a low-90s FB, but has the rest of the classic arsenal (FB/CV/SL/CH) but works primarily with a low-90s heater, which helps him do better against RHBs, which he improved upon from ’21 to ’22 (.645 OPS to .542).
		José Ferrer Born: 3/3/00 Ht. 5’11” Wt. 180 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats	The 23-y.o. Ferrer had his first full season in ’22 and rose from Low-A in April to AA in late August and got placed on the 40-man in November. While initially known for his curve, Ferrer has shifted to using the slider while throwing a hard change (upper 80s) to go with his 95-99 heat. Command is still an issue but he’s been able to keep the walks down while piling up K’s – 10.7 overall and 11.9 for his career.
		Alex Troop Born: 7/23/96 Ht. 6’5″ Wt. 210 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats	While he still pitches better in relief than as a starter, Troop was able to turn in several strong starts last summer before hitting a wall in August (7.23 ERA) and September (7.16), which have also been attributable to a career-high 113 IP. He’ll turn 27 in July so this will be his last watchlist appearance, which isn’t bad for a 9th Rd. pick out of a football school (Michigan State).
		Mitchell Parker Born: 9/27/99 Ht. 6’4″ Wt. 225 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats	Parker spent all of 2022 in High-A and scouts feel he could have been given a chance at AA, but presumably was blocked by a sunk cost (*cough* Tim Cate *cough*). Or it could have been an atrocious walk rate of 6.0 (67 in 100 IP). He features a four-pitch repertoire (FB/CV/CH/SP), but none of them are plus, which could lead to a shift to the bullpen if he can’t improve his command this season.
		Lucas Knowles Born: 3/14/98 Ht. 6’2″ Wt. 185 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats	Knowles returns to the watchlist after a year off, thanks in no small part to a successful shift to starting for the first time in five years. Like Troop, he’s more effective as a reliever (.596 OPS, 2.08 ERA vs. .656, 3.86) but, like most collegiate picks, has been old for the level his entire career. Seems likely to move up to AA in ’23 but may move back to the ‘pen.
		Andrew Alvarez Born: 6/13/99 Ht. 6’3″ Wt. 215 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats	Alvarez split time between relieving and starting and Low-A and High-A but wasn’t terribly effective in either role or at either level. He’s still lefthanded and throws strikes, which will get him more chances than his righthanded counterparts. His ground ball rate remains strong (2.02 GO/AO) as is his K rate (10.9) but also gives up a lot of hits, which is common for groundball pitchers.
		Marlon Perez Born: 3/16/00 Ht. 5’10” Wt. 180 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats	Perez was one of ten International Free Agents signed in January 2022 and made the highest debut, starting his American professional career in Low-A. The Cuban southpaw threw 41⅔ innings across 28 appearances with 15 multiple-inning outings and a line of 3.46/3.37/1.01. He struck out 47 (10.2/9) and walked 13 (2.8) while giving up just two HR.
		Dustin Saenz Born: 6/2/99 Ht. 5’11” Wt. 197 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats	Saenz dominated at Low-A (though he did miss a month) with four quality starts out of 11 and decent peripherals. At high-A, he threw in-game BP with 56 hits (8HR) and 13 walks in 42IP with a 7.07/5.99/1.64 line and a measly 6.4 K/9. As noted in this space a year ago, his future may be in the ‘pen, where he can use his above-average slider more often.
		Pablo Aldonis Born: 3/21/02 Ht. 6’1″ Wt. 160 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats	The 2019 IFA, often mentioned in tandem with Andry Lara, finally made his professional debut in 2022. It’s not clear why he didn’t pitch in 2021 nor is it clear what his injury was to end his season in late July. After six mediocre outings in the FCL, Aldonis was bumped up to Low-A where he had two scoreless starts before getting knocked around in his third. If healthy he should return to the southern ‘Burg.
		Franklin Marquez Born: 12/6/02 Ht. 6′ Wt. 165 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats	The 2019 IFA repeated the FCL but the 19-y.o. did not improve, going from 4.02/5.49/1.21 to 5.72/3.90/1.69. His peripherals remain decent – 2.2 BB/9IP and 9.2 K/9IP – but right now his dexterity and date of birth appear to be his best features.
		Gabriel Agostini Born: 7/24/04 Ht. 6′ Wt. 160 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats	A ’22 DSL Arm, the 18-y.o. Agostini wasn’t quite as dominant in the FCL (3.63/4.69/1.53 as he was in the DSL (1.11/2.24/0.90). His K rate dropped to 8.8 from 11.7 while his walk rate went up to 4.9 from 1.7. He’s still very young for the level so the odds of him repeating the level are very strong.
		Jake Bennett Born: 12/22/00 Ht. 6’6″ Wt. 234 Bats: L Throws: L College Stats	The Nats liked Bennett so much that they drafted him in both 2019 (39th Rd.) and 2022 (2nd Rd.) as he was spotted while scouting HS teammate Cade Cavalli. Bennett’s best pitch is a low-80s changeup that’s especially effective against RHBs. He also throws a low-90s FB and a fringy SL. A higher floor than ceiling, Bennett is expected to rise quickly through the system.