Offseason Update: Nov. 21, 2025
Lost in the shuffle with the windup of the AFL and who the Nats would (or would not) protect were a few minor transactions:
- RHP Erick Mejia re-signed, assigned to Rochester
- C Rodrigo Garcia released (DSL)
- LHP Alejandro Vera released (DSL)
And, I guess for the sake of consistency and posterity…
The 2025 Rochester Red Wings
After flirting with a winning season in 2024, the Red Wings reverted to the mean in 2025, finishing dead last in the first half, 8th in the second half, and the worst overall record.
You’ll be surprised to learn—or at least I was—Rochester was not the oldest team in the league on either side of the ball. In fact, the batters were a full year younger (25.3 vs. 26.3) while the pitchers were a few months younger (26.9 vs. 27.3) than the league averages.
Alas, you will not surprised to learn those pitchers were the worst in the International League by more than a full run per game (6.12 vs. 4.94) – and probably but for the altitudes in the PCL from being the worst in AAA. The offense was actually a little better than the league average (5.06 R/G) but the defense was among the lower fifth of the league (.977 vs. .980).
None of this to say that there aren’t some guys worth noting for 2026. Like two years ago, there are three (3!) who are likely maintain watchlist and/or notable status:
- Yohandy Morales .249/.330/.401, 11HR, 46BB in 95G
- Andrew Pinckney .269/.348/.430, 20HR, 34SB in 125G
- Christian Franklin .272/.390/.427, 80BB in in 117G
It’s not difficult to see what might be holding these guys back. Morales doesn’t quite have the power of your typical 1B/DH. Pinckney is blocked by James Wood as his OF defense is well below Crews and Young in CF/RF. Franklin has been added to the 40-man so he’s obviously the closest of the trio to making it to The Show, but is behind Robert Hassell and Daylen Lile on the depth chart.
Still, it’s not the worst thing that there are more than two guys we can legitimately point to after having none or one for most of the last decade (2016-2022, 2024). Folks interested in seeing the full team statistics can find them here. Pitching data can be found here.
pitchers that should have been in Rochester were pulled into DC after the failings of Sims, Poche and Lopez.
I was pleasantly surprised with Pilkington’s modest success and startled by Lara’s season.
not surprised that Chavez was let go, any examples of his value escape me.
Year in and year out, the only team with any decent record is Fredericksburg.
I know a 62-100 team doesn’t point to their AA team’s record, but there has to be some relationship between MLB competence and farm system competence.
You know what would be beautiful?
The new mindset
The new matrix
Andry Lara restored to a stud
3 million dollar bonus baby
That’s Tito Fuentes talking
MLB’s Jim Callis ranked the top 30 AZ Fall League prospects, and among Nats property (and the analysis of each):
– #10 Seaver King:
King can do a little bit of everything, making regular contact while showing 15-homer power and the athleticism and arm strength to play all over the diamond. He hit .359/.468/.563 with six steals in 18 games, though he could get more out of his advanced bat-to-ball skills if he toned down his aggressive approach. Scouts don’t see him as more than an average shortstop and wonder how long the Nationals will keep him there.
– #28 Jake Bennett:
Bennett pounded the zone with a 92-95 mph sinker to set up his best offering, a plus mid-80s changeup with significant fade. That formula allowed him to lead the Fall League in strikeouts (25) while ranking second in innings (20) and third in walk rate (2.3 per nine innings) and K/BB ratio (5.0). He posted a 4.50 ERA and could become a No. 4 starter.
The link: https://www.mlb.com/milb/news/top-30-arizona-fall-league-prospects-2025?t=arizona-fall-league-coverage&partnerId=it-20251125-15838538-mlb-1-A&utm_id=it-20251125-15838538-mlb-1-A
Thanks for sharing. The tidbit on King’s defense is new to me. The scouting reports I’d seen on his defense was that it was, at worst, average. Callis’ own site rates King’s defense as a 50 and his arm as a 55 (FanGraphs has him as a current 50 and potential 60 on defense). So Callis’ take – that he needs to move off SS – is quite a departure from previous reporting!