Follow the Prospects: Jackson Rutledge, RHP

[imref]

Full Name: Jackson Christian Rutledge
Age: 20 (April 1, 1999)
Birthplace: Springdale, MO
Bats/Throws: R/R Ht: 6' 8" Wt: 250
Draft: Round 1 (2019, WSH)
School: San Jacinto JC, TX
Twitter; @j_cheddar34

https://www.federalbaseball.com/2019/6/4/18652067/mlb-draft-2019-washington-nationals-first-round-pick-jackson-rutledge-scouting-report

Background: After tossing 15.2 innings as a freshman for Arkansas last season, Rutledge transferred to San Jacinto (TX) and has established himself as the top Juco player in the draft. The big righty has flourished this season, going 9-2 with a 0.87 ERA on the bump with 134 strikeouts in 82.2 innings (14.59 K/9). He’s committed to Kentucky, though it appears increasingly unlikely that he’ll make it to Lexington.

Notes: At 6-foot-8, Rutledge works downhill, creating tough angles for hitters that are further amplified from a high ¾ arm slot. Utilizing a low maintenance delivery, Rutledge’s arm action is very short, firing darts from his ear and creating deception. He’s a bit of a short strider toward home plate, limiting his extension. His 70-grade fastball sits comfortably in the 94-to-97 mph range, touches 99 and explodes through the zone – velocity he’s been able to carry deep into games. His best secondary pitch a plus slider, a nasty biting offering at 85-to-88 mph that tunnels well with the fastball, drawing an abundance of swings and misses. The curveball flashes above average, with sharp downer action and moderate depth. The command was below average in an early season viewing, though the quality of the stuff creates sizable margin for error, and he’s displayed improved control this season, cutting his walk rate significantly.

Currently at Auburn, threw four perfect innings in his home debut on July 21

[imref]

promoted to Hagerstown (Low-A)

[wj73]

Saw him pitch last night at Hagerstown. Wow, is he tall and is he skinny!  He had a good night- 5 innings, 1 hit, 1 earned run, 2 Ks, and 2 BB. He did lose the strike zone for a bit in the 2nd, repeatedly throwing the ball high.  He walked two batters, both of whom scored, but only one run was earned. After that he settled down and retired the last 11 batters he faced.

[Elvir Ovcina]

Saw him pitch last night at Hagerstown. Wow, is he tall and is he skinny!  He had a good night- 5 innings, 1 hit, 1 earned run, 2 Ks, and 2 BB. He did lose the strike zone for a bit in the 2nd, repeatedly throwing the ball high.  He walked two batters, both of whom scored, but only one run was earned. After that he settled down and retired the last 11 batters he faced.

Hope you enjoyed the rain.   My old man was at that game too and his evaluation almost exactly mirrored yours, but did note that the fastball seems as advertised in terms of velocity.

[imref]

5IP, 0ER, 2H, 2BB, 6Ks last night

[Glockypoo]

5IP, 0ER, 2H, 2BB, 6Ks last night

No reason he can't be a quick-to-the majors guy. Maybe Sanchez's replacement in 2021?

[imref]

No reason he can't be a quick-to-the majors guy. Maybe Sanchez's replacement in 2021?

he's moving up pretty quickly.   Might start at Potomac Fredricksburg next year and could be on track for a 2021 debut but a lot of things would have to go right for him between now and then.

[Slateman]

No reason he can't be a quick-to-the majors guy. Maybe Sanchez's replacement in 2021?

lol, no. He's got a long way to go to build up arm strength and stamina. He's also going to be limited on innings this season and next season, so I wouldn't expect him to get much past 120 innings this season. And also, the competition is going to get a lot better between Low and Double A. 2021 might be optimistic for anything other than a spot start. 2022 and 2023 are far more realistic. Particularly if you factor in a TJS at some point.

[Slateman]

Yeah, but you've proven yourself to know absolutely nothing about absolutely everything. So, I'll go ahead and pencil him into the 2021 rotation based on your analysis.

[imref]

Saw him pitch last night at Hagerstown. Wow, is he tall and is he skinny!  He had a good night- 5 innings, 1 hit, 1 earned run, 2 Ks, and 2 BB. He did lose the strike zone for a bit in the 2nd, repeatedly throwing the ball high.  He walked two batters, both of whom scored, but only one run was earned. After that he settled down and retired the last 11 batters he faced.

he sounds a lot like Alex Meyer from that analysis, hopefully he turns out better.

[Slateman]

he sounds a lot like Alex Meyer from that analysis, hopefully he turns out better.

Particularly the part about the curve and slider mixing together.

[RD]

lol, no. He's got a long way to go to build up arm strength and stamina. He's also going to be limited on innings this season and next season, so I wouldn't expect him to get much past 120 innings this season. And also, the competition is going to get a lot better between Low and Double A. 2021 might be optimistic for anything other than a spot start. 2022 and 2023 are far more realistic. Particularly if you factor in a TJS at some point.

120.this year, 150 next year, 180 in 2021. Theres no reason he cant be stretched out and ready for an MLB workload in 2021. I dont know if the consistency in his stuff will be there, but he should be fine as far as workload goes.

[imref]

5 IP, H, BB, 3 K in his latest start

[Glockypoo]

Rutledge struck out 9 in 5 innings last night. Also walked 3 but only gave up 1 ER and 1 H.

.169 BAA for the year.

Me likey.

[imref]

Now our top prospect not currently on the 28-man

[JCA-CrystalCity]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/12/31/jackson-rutledge-nationals-future/

Rutledge fits a few of the Nationals’ core philosophies. When they drafted him 17th overall out of San Jacinto Community College, they had picked a pitcher with their last four first-round picks. When they drafted Cade Cavalli 22nd overall last spring, the streak ran to five. The group includes Rutlege, Cavalli, Mason Denaburg (2018), Seth Romero (2017) and Dane Dunning (2016). Then there is Erick Fedde, selected in the first round in 2014, and Lucas Giolito in 2012.

Most of these pitchers, like Rutledge, were college arms with strong fastballs. And most of them, like Rutledge, are very tall. But there’s one critical difference with Rutledge and his internal trajectory: The Nationals don’t want to trade him.

Giolito and Dunning, by contrast, were traded to the Chicago White Sox for Adam Eaton in 2016. Reynaldo López, another young arm, was included in that deal. Jesús Luzardo, another top pitching prospect, headlined a trade package for Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson in 2017. And just last week, Wil Crowe and Eddy Yean — a pair of consensus top-10 prospects for Washington — were sent to Pittsburgh in exchange for first baseman Josh Bell.

[imref]

Something is up with Rutledge. Left after 17 pitches / 0.1 innings tonight. Gave up 3 runs on 2 hits.

[rileyn]

Shoulder.   NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[welch]

Place on 7-day DL on June 2. Henry to same on June 5. That's all the details I can find. Maybe we learn more around early July?

[Slateman]

Place on 7-day DL on June 2. Henry to same on June 5. That's all the details I can find. Maybe we learn more around early July?

He has shoulder inflammation. I wouldn't expect him to throw a baseball until mid July

[imref]

https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/nationals-jackson-rutledge-begins-rehab-program/. Teams says it's a 'minor' shoulder injury.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/nationals-jackson-rutledge-begins-rehab-program/. Teams says it's a 'minor' shoulder injury.

I hear it is just a flesh wound.

[imref]

I hear it is just a flesh wound.

he feels better and went for a walk

[Elvir Ovcina]

https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/nationals-jackson-rutledge-begins-rehab-program/. Teams says it's a 'minor' shoulder injury.

No such thing for a 6'8" 22-year-old pitcher.  At that age and size with his velo, any shoulder issue is by definition not minor.

[Slateman]

Assigned to Fredericksburg