For the third time in five years, Washington has taken multiple players – one in the MLB phase, six in the minor league phase.As noted two years ago, many of these signings appear to be in lieu of signing free agent, which has become more difficult due to the 165/175-player limit on systems (reduced from 180/190).
Without further ado…
- RHP Griff McGarry (MLB phase, from PHI)
Spent most of the season at AA Reading, missing five weeks from mid-April to late May. Posted a line of 3.25/3.19/1.24 in 17GS with 12.9 K’s and 5.6 BB’s per 9IP - RHP Sandy Gaston (MiLB phase, from LAA)
Made 36 of his 38 relief appearances at High-A Tri-City in the Northwest League, with a 4.32/3.67/1.50 line and 11.6 K’s and 5.7 BB’s per 9IP - RHP Brady Hill (MiLB phase, from COL)
Made 41 relief appearances in his third season at Low-A Fresno in the California League, with a 6.11/4.29/1.77 and 12.8 K’s and 7.3 BB’s per 9IP - RHP Dylan Tebrake (MiLB phase, from NYM)
Has been beset by injuries but does not appear to have suffered Nationals elbow. Pitched four (4) innings last summer and did not pitch in 2024. - OF Jack Rogers (MilB, from CIN)
Split time between AA and AAA, hitting .253/.330/.357 with 4HR and 49RBI in 93G - RHP Eiker Huizi (MiLB, from SD)
Made 28 of his 31 appearances (three “starts” in the AZL) for High-A Fort Wayne in the Midwest League with a 6.27/4.43/1.63 mark for the TinCaps and 9.4 K’s and 5.1 BB’s per 9IP - RHP Cesar Rojas (MiLB, from TB)
Split time between the DSL, FCL, and reached Low-A for the first time at the age of 23. Has averaged 13.3 BB’s and 10.8 K’s per 9IP with a 7.97 ERA in 64⅓ IP in 49G since his pro debut in 2022
As a reminder, very few Rule 5 picks stick at the MLB level and most in the MiLB phase are roster-fillers, though two years ago Daison Acosta and Samuel Vasquez proved to be useful relief options for 2024 and 2025.
As always, feel free to discuss in the comments.