Follow the Prospects: Jackson Rutledge, RHP

[Elvir Ovcina]

This is the difference between Single A and Double A. In Single A, you can blow fastballs by guys over the heart of the plate and get them to chase on not even good breaking stuff. In Double A, hitters expect pitchers to have velo and at least one plus breaking ball.

Rutledge is learning the difference between control and command. He is exactly where he needs to be. Just need him to stay healthy.

And in AA and above, pitchers need to expect hitters to actually be able to handle both of them in the strike zone, so there's not really a get-it-over breaking ball either.  I saw Rutledge pull that a couple times lower down when he got behind on fastballs.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I suspect another couple of good starts in Harrisburg and he gets a bump to AAA when Kuhl gets DFA'd and a pitcher off AAA is called up to fill Kuhl's spot.  WHIP is 1.34, he's nearly 9 K/9 (15 in 15.2 IP), ERA's decent (3.45). If he has a couple more of good starts (5-6 IP, 2-3 runs, decent K:BB), then he's probably ready. Rochester pitching is mostly horrid at this point, so if a Peralta (best there, but only 3 starts) gets bumped up, Rutledge is a reasonable backfill.

https://www.milb.com/player/jackson-rutledge-671131?stats=gamelogs-r-pitching-mlb&year=2023

[imref]

Got hit around for 4 runs in the second but lasted through the sixth. 5ER.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Got hit around for 4 runs in the second but lasted through the sixth. 5ER.

long balls (2) hurt, but only 1 walk with 5 Ks. Past 2 starts, 9 Ks, 3BBs in 12 IP.

[Natsinpwc]

Four scoreless so far today. 3 hits and 2 walks. Only watched the fourth inning and it was three harmless fly balls. Three Ks so far.

[Natsinpwc]

Six shutout innings today. Just four hits. Seven Ks and two walks.

[imref]

Six shutout innings today. Just four hits. Seven Ks and two walks.

[zimm_da_kid]

Hopefully we see him in the bigs later this year

[imref]

he's only had one awful start out of 5 so far.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

he's only had one awful start out of 5 so far.

I honestly thought that he might end up beating Irvin to the majors given Irvin's bad start to the year. 

[IanRubbish]

He's only had 5 starts in the high minors, but he has a power/K component no Nats starter currently has. 

[Natsinpwc]

On the mound tonight.

[Natsinpwc]

Long double to center and a walk but got out of the first unscathed with help from Hassell. One K also.

[imref]

Through 3: 0R, 2BBs, 2H, 3Ks

[zimm_da_kid]

Through 3: 0R, 2BBs, 2H, 3Ks

Trade Williams next time he string together back to back quality starts —> promote rutty

[Natsinpwc]

Looked good but I turned on hockey.  Why do I feel like he will be injured again?

[Slateman]

He's throwing more breaking stuff, trying to work on it. He had a lot of deep counts after going up 0-1 and 0-2 on hitters

[imref]

Out after 6: 5H, R, 2BBs, 5Ks

[Slateman]

6IP, 2 hits, no walks, 5 Ks

[imref]

he's gotta be next in line for a call-up

[Slateman]

Hasnt pitched since May 14th

[Natsinpwc]

Ruh Oh

[imref]

Hasnt pitched since May 14th

warmed up to pitch for his scheduled start a few days ago but was forced to sit down for a rain delay.  We'll see if he makes his next start.

[Slateman]

Scheduled to pitch tonight

[imref]

No runs through the first five. Gave up 4 before getting yanked with two outs in the sixth