RHPs

		Joan Adon Born: 8/12/98 Ht. 6’2″ Wt. 242 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats	As predicted in this space in 2020, Adon’s velo did return (along with almost 60 lbs more weight) as he pitched every level from A+ to MLB and broke 100IP again. Scouts disagree whether his SL or CH is his next-best pitch but agree that both his control and command need work. That may keep him starting until (prior to 2019 he worked out of the ‘pen) he either improves or the Nats need him in relief.
		Cade Cavalli Born: 8/14/98 Ht. 6’4″ Wt. 230 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats	The Nats’ #1 pitching prospect and top pick from the 2020 Draft did not disappoint in 2021, which is a lofty statement given the enormous pressure/attention. Cavalli hit a brick wall at AAA after dominating at AA and A+ but also exceeded his entire collegiate workload by 22IP. His FB is ~96 and can touch 100 and can mix in two strong secondary pitches: an 82-85 CV and an 87-89 SL that is “cutterish.”
		Reid Schaller Born: 4/02/97 Ht. 6’3″ Wt. 210 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats	Schaller was moved to the bullpen in 2021 after starting in 2018 and 2019 and nearly matched his 2019 IP total anyway, appearing in 33 games and finishing 18 of them with four saves across two levels (High-A and AA). He’ll turn 25 this season and will have to cut down on the walks (4.9 BB/9IP) in 2022 if he’s to move up any further on the Nats ladder.
		Cole Henry Born: 1/24/97 Ht. 6’4″ Wt. 215 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats	Henry’s debut season was interrupted by “elbow soreness,” limiting him to 43IP at High-A though he made six appearances for 19IP in the AFL. A 2nd Pick in ’20 out of LSU, Henry throws a four-seam and a two-seam FB, with the former in the mid-90s, with a CV and a CH as his secondary offerings. There are concerns that he’ll stick as a starter, with some scouts pointing to a “reliever arm action.”
		Todd Peterson Born: 1/22/98 Ht. 6’5″ Wt. 230 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats	“Shoulder fatigue” is the company line as to why Peterson missed nearly two months during the season. Like Henry, Peterson was sent to Arizona to get more work and made eight appearances out of the ‘pen, which is where most scouts feel he’ll end up. The ’19 7th Rd. pick works with a FB/SL combo (mid-90s/high-80s), with the occasional CH.
		Jackson Rutledge Born: 4/1/99 Ht. 6’8″ Wt. 250 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats	SSDP, as a “rotator cuff strain” was to blame for a six-week layoff after a poor start at High-A and blisters caused Rutledge to miss a few turns through the rotation down the stretch in Low-A. Unlike the others, however, the Nats’ tallest Jackson did not acquit himself in the AFL. Scouts are now wondering how much longer it’ll be before a move to the ‘pen.
		Michael Cuevas Born: 1/24/97 Ht. 6’2″ Wt. 165 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats	Cuevas got his (undisclosed) injury out of the way early and only missed a month before an all-things-considered successful sophomore season. Having actually seen him pitch, this pick is based on that as Cuevas seems to be on the verge of a breakout. His low-90s FB is actually his weakest pitch while his mid-80s SL is advanced for the level. Also throws a “hard” CH (86-88).
		Andry Lara Born: 1/06/03 Ht. 6’4″ Wt. 180 Bats: R Throws: R No Career Stats	The Nats’ Top 2019 IFA finally got to pitch in 2021 and made it to Low-A for two late-season starts after seven starts in the FCL, none more than 5IP. Scouts praise his “smooth, easy delivery” with “clean arm action.” He’s already hitting the mid-90s and the belief is that may go up a tick or two as he physically matures. Like most young pitchers, his control and secondary pitches are works in progress.
		Cole Quintanilla Born: 5/13/99 Ht. 6’5″ Wt. 225 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats	Big-12? Check. Elbow surgery? Check. Sturdy carriage? Check. Appears the only thing he’s missing is having been drafted previously by the A’s. Quintanilla worked out of the UT Longhorns ‘pen for three seasons before the Nats took him in the 9th Rd. last June. He’s also got the FB/SL combo the Nats covet, hitting the low-90s/low-80s with little tilt on the latter.
		Bernardo Hiraldo Born: 5/20/00 Ht. 6’2″ Wt. 160 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats	A 2019 “DSL Guy,” Hiraldo made it stateside in 2021 and split time between starting and relief, which is not unusual as the FCL is often used for as much for evaluation as development. While bitten a bit by HRs, he improved his K rate from 6.7/9IP to 9.4 while still walking less than two per 9IP. In the new world order, he may have to repeat the FCL as Low-A looks to be crowded in 2022.
		Bryan Caceres Born: 2/19/00 Ht. 6’1″ Wt. 170 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats	Caceres makes the list based on his standing of one of the five best arms on the 2021 FCL team and his usage (second-most starts, second-most IP). His peripherals were not anything special: 5.1 BB/9IP, 8.4 K/9IP, so it’s quite possible he might repeat the level.