Last year, Brad Lord was the talk of Nationals Spring Training, making headlines for his journey from working at Home Depot to securing a spot on the roster as an 18th-round pick. Fast forward to this season, and while he's not grabbing the same level of attention, his importance to the team remains undeniable.
Lord's spot on the roster is secure, but his role is yet to be defined. His easygoing nature makes him an ideal candidate to transition between starting and relieving, depending on the team's needs. As he put it, he’s ready to “do whatever they need.”
Currently, Lord is preparing as a starter, but with the addition of Zack Littell, a shift to the bullpen seems likely. Last season, he shined in relief, boasting a 2.79 ERA, and was a consistent performer on a struggling Nationals pitching staff.
Despite fading slightly towards the end of the season, Lord’s rookie year was impressive for a late-round pick. He delivered a 4.34 ERA over 130.2 innings, thanks to his knack for inducing ground balls and avoiding hard contact.
To elevate his game, he'll need to diversify his pitch arsenal, as he relied heavily on his fastball, throwing either a four-seamer or sinker 66.5% of the time. With the Nationals aiming to reduce fastball usage, Lord’s heater will still be his go-to, but he’ll need another pitch to keep hitters guessing.
Lord is focusing on refining his changeup, tweaking his grip to enhance its effectiveness. It’s a pitch that showed promise against lefties but lacked consistency. In a recent Spring Training outing, his changeup was particularly effective, helping him dominate hitters like Nolan Gorman.
Yesterday, Lord delivered his strongest spring performance, with six of his nine outs coming via ground balls-a key aspect of his game. This ability to generate quick outs makes him a valuable asset, whether as a starter or a swingman.
During his peak last season, Lord thrived in the swingman role, posting a 2.20 ERA from late May to early August. However, when transitioning to a full-time starter, he faced challenges, likely due to the wear and tear of a long MLB season.
Regardless of his role, Brad Lord is set to be a crucial component of the Nationals' pitching staff. His versatility in getting outs across various roles is invaluable in today’s game. While he might not start the season in the rotation, he’ll be ready to step in when needed.
Last year, Lord made 48 appearances, including 19 starts. A similar workload could be on the horizon, as his ability to adapt to the manager’s needs is a significant asset. While he may not be the buzz of Spring Training like before, Brad Lord is poised to be a key figure for the Nationals once again.