Photo via Rochester Red Wings
Drafted in the seventh round of the 2022 MLB Draft by the Washington Nationals, Riley Cornelio came out of Texas Christian University known for his stamina as a starting pitcher. While his first two seasons showcased his durability, they did not yield significant results on the mound. In his 2023 campaign with Fredericksburg, Cornelio posted a 4-8 record with a 4.68 ERA, a high 1.70 WHIP, and an opponent batting average of .285.
Cornelio advanced to High A Wilmington in 2024 and again proved his reliability as a starter, making 26 starts and finishing the year at 9-11. Despite a higher 5.56 ERA, he managed to lower his WHIP to 1.53 and dropped opponents' batting average to .261—signs of incremental progress.
Recognizing the need for further improvement to reach AA, Cornelio made adjustments to his windup, minimizing extraneous movement. This tweak boosted his fastball by 2mph, regularly sitting between 93-94mph and touching 95. In AA Harrisburg this season, his control and strikeout numbers improved sharply, with strikes thrown on 61% of his pitches. His pitching repertoire—a mix of fastball, sinker, slider, 12-6 curve, and changeup—grew more effective. These changes resulted in a dramatic improvement: his ERA dropped from 5.56 to 2.68, and his WHIP reached an elite 1.08.
After Cade Cavalli and Shinnosuke Ogasawara’s promotions to Washington left an opening, Cornelio earned his call-up to AAA Rochester. In his first start on August 7, he pitched 5 innings, giving up three runs on four hits, issuing two walks, and collecting seven strikeouts. His next outing was against the first-place Syracuse Mets, where Cornelio demonstrated command and composure. Across 6+ innings, he allowed just 3 runs on four hits, did not issue any walks, and had one strikeout, consistently working ahead in the count and forcing contact—an approach worthy of teaching young pitchers. In his first two AAA games, Cornelio boasts a 0.91 WHIP and a .200 opponent batting average.
Riley Cornelio is scheduled to pitch next Tuesday at 6:45 PM at Innovative Field in Rochester. His arrival marks an exciting new chapter for the Red Wings—welcome to Rochester, Riley Cornelio!