Editors Note: This is the latest player profile in our 40-man breakdown series that we have started here at the Nats Report. Check out our other player profiles.

Amos Willingham

• Position: Right-Handed Relief Pitcher

• Current status: Optioned to Triple-A Rochester

• 2023 Grade: D-

• 2024 Opening Day Projection: Right-handed Relief Pitcher Triple-A Rochester

• 2023 stats: 18 G | 24.1 IP | 6.66 ERA | 1.88WHIP | 0 SV | 15 SO | 9 BB | 18 ER | -0.5 fWAR | -0.2 bWAR

  

2023 Analysis: Amos Willingham was called up to the majors by the Washington Nationals in 2023. However, his season was far from perfect. In fact, his high ERA was a significant setback. He primarily served as a middle reliever. Willingham's ERA with the Nationals stands at an unimpressive 6.66. However, his Triple-A Rochester ERA suggests that he is a force to be reckoned with. During his time at Rochester, his ERA was a mere 2.88 and he only gave up one homer. This is in stark contrast to his performance with the Nationals in 2023, where he gave up eight home runs.

Willingham's fastball was his go-to pitch last season, making up 60.7 percent of his deliveries, with 280 pitches. He displayed great control of his slider, using it for 161 pitches, or 34.9 percent of the time. His changeup and sinker were also used but less frequently, at 2.6 percent and 1.7 percent respectively. Impressively, he managed to make 15 strikeouts with the Nationals in the 2023 season. Although his earned runs were 18, his right-handed pitching skills were at their peak in September, with a monthly ERA of 3.75.

Amos Willingham's 2023 season highlights his powerful foreseen fastball, which has been consistently strong. Moreover, his monthly WHIP has been outstanding, leading to an impressive overall WHIP of 1.81.

As the season concluded, the Nationals coaching staff faced a challenging decision regarding Willingham. They had to decide whether to add him to the 26-man roster for the 2024 season or to keep him on the 40-man roster by optioning him back down to Triple-A.

2024 outlook: Amos Willingham's 2023 season was a step forward for his professional career as he got the opportunity to play in the majors. However, on March 11th, 2024, it was decided that he would be optioned to Triple-A Rochester and would not be added to the 26th-man roster, along with his teammate Cole Henry. Looking ahead to 2024, it's not a competition to see who gets called back to the majors, but Nationals fans may want to keep an eye on Rochester games or news for any signs of added help to the Nationals bullpen. It seems appropriate for Amos Willingham to return to Rochester to further develop his sinker and changeup. In summary, the prediction for his overall performance in 2024 is that it will be a year of development. If the Nationals decide to select his contract, he will be in good shape for a possible return to the team.