The phrase “another day, another Nationals W” might not have been on our lips much in recent years, but with the dawn of the Blake Butera era, it's starting to feel like the norm. The Nationals pulled off a thrilling five-run rally in the eighth inning to top the Cardinals, boosting their spring record to an impressive 4-0-1. For a young squad, learning how to win is crucial, and this week has been nothing short of promising.
The Good
Cade Cavalli has been earmarked as the potential ace for Washington, and the time for him to step up is now. He made a strong case last night, delivering two scoreless innings in his spring debut, striking out one and allowing just a walk.
Cole Henry also shone bright, potentially auditioning for the closer role. His 1-2-3 fifth inning, with two strikeouts on just 14 pitches, certainly bolstered his chances.
Offensively, the Nationals managed six runs on a mere four hits. It was a night where errors and walks paved the way for their eighth-inning comeback. Keibert Ruiz, one of the returning big leaguers, contributed with a single in his 1-3 outing.
The New Guys
There’s plenty to discuss about the fresh faces. Riley Cornelio, who posted a 3.28 ERA across three minor league levels last season, continued to impress.
He pitched two scoreless innings, fanning three, showing why he’s on the cusp of the majors. Drafted in the seventh round of the 2022 draft, Cornelio is certainly a name to watch.
Kyle Luckham, another promising arm from the same draft, also made waves. He matched Cornelio’s efficiency, pitching two scoreless innings with two strikeouts, needing just 28 pitches for his six outs. If either of these right-handers makes their big league debut this season, it would be a testament to the Nationals’ player development.
On the offensive side, Cristhian Vaquero is worth highlighting. The 21-year-old, once a highly touted signing from the Dominican, has faced challenges with injuries and strikeouts. However, his potential was on display last night with a clutch two-run single in the eighth, sealing the 6-1 victory.
What’s Next?
The Nationals are hitting the road to face the Yankees at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. It’s a matchup of lefties, with Andrew Alvarez making his spring debut against Ryan Weathers.
Alvarez, who had a strong finish last season, will be eager to prove he belongs in the rotation. Let’s see if the Nationals can keep their undefeated streak alive and take it to the Yankees!