The Washington Nationals made a move to strengthen their pitching depth by selecting right-handed pitcher Griff McGarry in the first round of the 2025 MLB Rule 5 Draft. President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni announced the addition, bringing one of the most electric strikeout arms in Minor League Baseball to D.C.
A Strikeout Specialist with Proven Results
Griff McGarry, 26, didn’t just miss bats in 2025 — he dominated. The California-born pitcher ranked fourth in all of Minor League Baseball with 13.34 strikeouts per nine innings (minimum 80 IP) and racked up 124 strikeouts while posting a 3.44 ERA across three levels in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. That performance earned him the title of 2025 Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Year.
His late-season surge was especially impressive. From August 1 through the end of the season, McGarry produced a 2.34 ERA, 70 strikeouts, and held hitters to a .166 batting average over nine starts — elite numbers for any Minor League pitcher.
A Strong Resume Built in the Phillies System
Originally selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the fifth round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of the University of Virginia, McGarry quickly built a reputation as a high-strikeout arm. Over five professional seasons, he’s posted 13.17 strikeouts per nine innings and a .182 opponents’ batting average — both ranking among the top five across all MiLB pitchers with at least 250 innings pitched.
Notably, his 13.17 K/9 rate ranks third in Minor League Baseball since the start of his career, signaling the kind of swing-and-miss stuff that translates to the big leagues.
Finding His Role: Starter, Reliever, and Back Again
McGarry’s development has been defined by adaptability. He began his career as a starting pitcher, shifted to the bullpen in 2024, then transitioned back into a starter’s role in 2025 — demonstrating both versatility and resilience. Across 103 career MiLB appearances (61 starts), he owns a 4.14 ERA and 10–17 record, numbers that hint at untapped potential if he finds consistency with his command.
From Virginia to Washington, D.C.
A native of San Francisco, California, McGarry graduated from Menlo-Atherton High School before earning a degree in American Studies from the University of Virginia. Though originally drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 31st round of the 2017 MLB Draft, he chose to attend UVA — a decision that helped him grow into one of college baseball’s most electric pitchers.
Now, McGarry’s journey continues in the Nation’s Capital. With his high-spin fastball and wipeout slider, the Washington Nationals hope they’ve found a dynamic arm ready to make an immediate impact on their pitching staff in 2026.