⚾⚾ The Morning Briefing: Nationals prospect Jake Bennett promoted to High-A
The Nationals’ No. 9 prospect according to MLB Pipeline was promoted to High-A yesterday.
Good Morning Washington Nationals Fan,
Here are the latest headlines and analyses around the Washington Nationals and Major League Baseball for today, June 2, 2023. My name is Haden Raymer and this is your morning briefing. Today’s top story is the Nationals prospect Jake Bennett was promoted to High-A.
Be sure to follow The Nats Report on Twitter for all the latest headlines and more.
Leading today’s Morning Briefing: Jake Bennett promoted to Wilmington Blue Rocks
The Nationals’ No. 9 prospect according to MLB Pipeline was promoted to High-A yesterday. Last year's second-round pick for the Nationals has dominated with the Fred Nats. In nine starts he threw 42 innings for a 1.93 ERA and struck out 54 batters while only walking eight.
Jake Bennett has outclassed hitters so far in his pro career, and we can only hope that continues. With MacKenzie Gore and Josiah Gray already cementing spots in the Nationals’ future, there are still a few arms left to battle out for a spot there. Cade Cavalli, Jackson Rutledge, and Cole Henry were the arms prior to Bennett being drafted. There are still other young arms who have seen big-league action like Joan Adon and Jake Irvin. This is all without factoring in potential draft pick Paul Skenes. No matter what the Nats’ future rotation will be nasty.
Nationals set to take on Phillies
Tonight Gray and Zack Wheeler will face off at Nationals Park. If the Nationals win this game they become tied with the Phillies for fourth place in the division. A series win has the Nats above the Phillies in the standings in June.
You can catch the game on MASN at 7:05 p.m.
Nationals selling batting practice passes
Shoutout to the Ladies Who Like Baseball who brought this to our attention, but the Nationals are selling batting practice passes for $99 in June.
FYI: the Nationals are selling Batting Practice Passes for $99 each to June home games (that make it clear - this does NOT include the cost of an actual game ticket; just on-field access).
Please be kind to players if you go; they are humans. #NATITUDE
— Ladies Who Like Baseball (@LONTDC1)
Jun 1, 2023
As it says in the tweet, please be kind to the players.
Down on the Farm
The Rochester Red Wings narrowly beat the Syracuse Mets 4-3. Cory Abbott walked five batters in as many innings but struck out six and only allowed one hit, a home run. Richie Martin went 1-2 with a home run and a walk. Drew Millas recorded a hit and Travis Blankenhorn recorded two.
The Harrisburg Senators beat the Bowie Baysox 6-5. There were scouts galore at the game. Rutledge struck out six over five innings while allowing three earned runs. Both James Wood and Robert Hassell III went 2-5, including a mammoth home run for James Wood. Jackson Cluff continues to hit extra-base hits, with a double last night. He should probably be in Triple-A at this point, especially as he is 26.
The Wilmington Blue Rocks won 5-1 against the Asheville Tourists. Henry threw four innings and struck out two in his rehab start. Trey Lipscomb had two doubles, and Jared McKenzie and Yoander Rivero both homered.
The FredNats are now on an eight-game win streak, that was saved by a walk-off double by shortstop Armando Cruz. Elijah Green homered. The Fred Nats stole eight bases, including three from Sammy Infante, who also doubled twice yesterday. Sean Doolittle threw a scoreless inning in rehab, striking out one. Top prospect Brady House went 1-4 with a walk.
Photos from the Senators game
We were at yesterday’s Senators game, and here are my favorite photos and videos game that we put on Twitter. You can find the full thread here.
Rutledge
— TheNatsReport ⚾ 🇺🇸 (@TheNatsReport)
Jun 1, 2023
— TheNatsReport ⚾ 🇺🇸 (@TheNatsReport)
Jun 1, 2023
— TheNatsReport ⚾ 🇺🇸 (@TheNatsReport)
Jun 1, 2023
Links around the league
Ben Clemens on the Padres and Diamond Sports Group split
Eno Sarris on swapping teams, but includes a Gore comp to a future HoFer ($)
MLB Pipeline’s latest mock draft, with a fun tidbit on Nats strategy
