According Spencer Nusbaum of the Athletic, on Sunday the Washington Nationals promoted Devin Fitz-Gerald, newly minted MLB Pipeline Top 100 Prospect, and Ethan Petry who’s also inside the Nats Top 30 prospects as well.
These well earned promotions come after both Fitz-Gerald and Petry established themselves as the offensive anchors in the Blue Rocks lineup. The pair were first and second on the club in nearly every major offensive category, including the team lead in home runs, RBIs, hits, slugging percentage and OPS while trying to keep the Blue Rocks in the South Atlantic League playoff race.
Fitz-Gerald was on a tore up pitching in the SAL. The switch hitter slashed .267/.373/.530 with 12 homers, 37 RBIs and an a .903 OPS in 51 games. His 12 home runs led Wilmington and his 54 hits were second on the team.
Fitz-Gerald was acquired from Texas in the MacKenzie Gore trade this offseason. Since he arrived in Wilmington, Fitz-Gerald hit the ground running showing off the offensive traits that makes him an exciting prospect. The 2024 fifth-round pick mixes advanced plate discipline and the ability to barrel up the ball, to create havoc for opposing pitchers.
Defensively the 20-year old provides value with his ability to play multiple positions. Fitz-Gerald lined up at third, short, and second and played all at an above-average level.
Fitz-Gerald's offensive capability and defensive flexibility earned him a spot on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 prospects, at No. 97, as well as a promotion to Double-A Harrisburg.
Petry's promotion is also because of his breakout first half. The former South Carolina star hit .297/.392/.521 with nine homers, 34 RBIs and a .913 OPS in 43 games. His batting average and OPS were second-best, only behind Fitz-Gerald.
Petry was drafted in the second round of the 2025 MLB Draft by the Nationals after an illustrious college career. Petry is an imposing presence in the batter’s box, standing 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds and possessing some of the best power in the Nationals organization.
Whether Petry plays first base or in an outfield corner, his offensive production made clear the righty was ready for the step up.
The promotions of Fitz-Gerald and Petry leave question marks in Blue Rocks lineup. Together, the pair combined for 21 home runs, 71 RBIs, and more than one fourth of Wilmington’s hits.
This is another step on the road to rebuilding in Washington. The promotions of Fitz-Gerald and Petry to Double-AA and No. 1 Nationals prospect Eli Willits to Wilmington, is another step in the right direction for the Nationals.
For Wilmington, the challenge now becomes replacing the production of its two most dangerous hitters. Fitz-Gerald and Petry. Their next test looms in Harrisburg, where both prospects will have the chance to prove once more they belong in the Nationals' future core.