All eyes turn to hurlers Sykora, Susana in Nats camp
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Last year in Spring Training, Nationals manager Dave Martinez named the section of young hitting prospects in big league camp led by James Wood and Dylan Crews "Hope Row." While Robert Hassell III and Brady House are still prospects, Wood has graduated and Crews will
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Last year in Spring Training, Nationals manager Dave Martinez named the section of young hitting prospects in big league camp led by James Wood and Dylan Crews "Hope Row." While Robert Hassell III and Brady House are still prospects, Wood has graduated and Crews will come off prospect lists in the early stages of the 2025 season, so it might be time for the Nationals to hold a naming contest for the next wave of baby Nats.
Only this time, it might be arms.
Once Crews does graduate, the top two prospects on the Nationals' Top 30 will not just be pitchers. They'll be two huge (6-foot-6 huge) right-handers who hit triple digits with their fastballs in Travis Sykora and Jarlin Susana. The duo finished second and third in the Minors among those with at least 80 innings pitched in K/9 rate. Sykora, the Nats' third-round pick in 2023 who got $2.6 million to sign, finished second among all those pitchers' xFIP as well in his first full season of A ball. Susana, acquired from the Padres in the 2022 Juan Soto blockbuster, topped 100 innings for the first time and got sharper as his year went on. The organization clearly has something cooking on the pitching development side of the ledger right now.
"The big thing is in between starts, the preparation, their bullpen days after their start, focusing on what went right, what went wrong, kind of a tuneup for that next start," Nationals farm director Eddie Longosz said.
Sykora's preparation is already reaching legendary status as he's long been fastidious about journaling and learning about his craft. The Nats' player development staff is trying to make sure all of the organization's arms are on the same level, even if each hurler does things a little differently.
"It's teaching them the same type of purpose," Longosz said. "That was the big thing with Susana especially, those in-between starts looking at counts where he threw pitches or when he got behind, what was his strategy going into that. And the pitching coaches did a really excellent job harnessing that on those off days. It's all about preparation for all these guys."
That also includes relative newcomer Alex Clemmey, now No. 6 on the club's Top 30. The Nationals got the left-hander from the Guardians in the Lane Thomas deal at last year's Trade Deadline, and like the other two, he misses a ton of bats. There's lots of room for improvement in terms of his ability to throw strikes, getting ahead early and not running deep counts, but there were some early signs of encouragement at the start of his first Spring Training with his new club.
He certainly fit right in immediately when he got to Single-A Fredericksburg. As another high school arm from the 2023 Draft, he and Sykora fell in sync with each other almost immediately.
"A lot of them know each other from the high school circuits and growing up and doing all the travel ball," Longosz said. "But the second Clemmey got in there, they were like two peas in a pod, inseparable. I think they feed off each other. They can rag and tease each other, but they are also learning from each other. That's huge, them being the same age, coming up together, going through everything together."
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
Camp standout: Brad Lord
Not everyone in this next wave of pitching -- "Hurler Hall?" -- was an early-round pick or a big trade acquisition. Lord joined the Nationals in 2022 as a senior taken in the 18th round of the Draft. He likely didn't set off any prospect alarms with his first full season across two levels of A-ball in 2023 other than his ability to fill up the strike zone.
Then came his breakout in 2024, splitting nearly all of the season between the top two levels of the Minors, making 25 starts and amassing nearly 130 very effective innings. Now he's the No. 23 prospect in the system and has been making a good impression in big league camp, allowing just one earned run (two total) in 7 1/3 relief innings. It's a small sample in shorter stints, but his velocity has taken a nice step forward, from averaging around 92-93 mph in 2024 to sitting 95-96 in Grapefruit League action.
"He's a strike machine, gets ahead with a four-seamer and two-seamer," Longosz said. "The secondaries are good but he just fools with the fastball. He can sink it, he can run it. He was a great starter last year. He came out of nowhere."
Breakout candidate: Yoel Tejeda
Speaking of late-round college arms who could join that crop of pitching moving up -- "Velocity Rising?" -- keep an eye on Tejeda, their pick in Round 14 of last year's Draft, who got a bit over slot ($225,000) as a Draft-eligible sophomore out of Florida State. He actually started at rival Florida as a freshman, then moved to the Seminoles for the 2024 season, and he didn't pitch frequently, or well, at either. But he's 6-foot-8 with some big stuff, an arm without a ton of mileage or reps (42 1/3 IP in college total). Perhaps he's a bit of a lottery ticket, but the Nationals like the numbers they've drawn.
"He's a big guy with a tough angle," Longosz said. "There's velocity, deception and movement. It's an ugly at-bat, a tough look for a hitter. We're curious how he progresses.
"We want him to start; the stuff is too good to not try it out first. You want to give him the best chance to start before changing it. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work."
Something to prove: Armando Cruz
When the 2020-21 international signing period finally opened in January 2021, the Nationals went all in to sign Cruz for $3.9 million, which at the time was tied for the largest bonus given on the international market by the organization. Outside of some signs of life offensively when he made his U.S. debut in 2022, he's yet to gain any traction with the bat. He spent parts of three seasons with Single-A Fredericksburg and brings a career .572 OPS into the 2025 season.
It should be noted that he will be just 21 for all of the upcoming season and he has a relatively high floor because he can really defend up the middle, so it's not like this is some kind of make or break year for the infielder. This spring there have been a few glimmers of hope.
"He looks stronger," said Longosz, who thought Cruz will likely begin the year with High-A Wilmington, where he finished the 2024 season, while playing both shortstop and second. "I think he's really locked in on his swing and controlling the zone, not chasing, working on the heart of the zone. I think this is a year it will click."
Jonathan Mayo is a reporter for MLBPipeline.com. Follow him on Facebook and @JonathanMayo, and listen to him on the weekly MLB Pipeline Podcast.
Delmarva Shorebirds Announce 2025 Promotional Schedule!
Get ready for Shorebirds baseball season this year as the Shorebirds Promotional Schedule & Individual Game Tickets for the 2025 season are NOW AVAILABLE! Don't miss out on the chance to witness all the excitement, thrill, and unforgettable moments as the Shorebirds battle it out at Perdue Stadium this season.
Spring Breakout: The Future of The Game on Display
Spring training is well underway and baseball is finally here. While spring training is a chance to see new roster additions, possible starting lineups, and our favorite familiar stars, Major League Baseball (MLB) is bringing back year two of its new Sping Breakout! In 2024, the MLB launched a new
Shorebirds 2025 Hot Stove Raises over $13,500 for Fly Together Fund!
Even though the Shorebirds’ April 8 home opener against the Fayetteville Woodpeckers is about a month away, longtime season ticket holder Vicki Parks is already counting down the days. And her countdown began with the team’s annual Hot Stove Banquet on Jan. 30 at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center.
Delmarva Shorebirds Announce Renovations to Arthur W. Perdue Stadium
SALISBURY, Md. -- The Delmarva Shorebirds, in conjunction with the Maryland Stadium Authority and Wicomico County, are excited to announce renovations to Arthur W. Perdue Stadium ahead of the 2025 season of Shorebirds baseball. The project includes a new 9,000 sq ft indoor performance center, along with renovations to clubhouses,
Shorebirds Announce Wild Ponies Identity in tribute to Delmarva Attraction
Salisbury, Md. - The Delmarva Shorebirds will take the field on Saturday, May 17 as the Delmarva Wild Ponies in a special identity that pays tribute to the historic Wild Ponies that inhabit Assateague Island. As part of this special identity, the Wild Ponies brand will feature on-field jerseys and
Shorebirds Introduce New Sherman Logo for 2025 Season!
Salisbury, MD -- A staple of any Delmarva Shorebirds game is our beloved mascot, Sherman the Shorebird. From his orange fluffy fur, colorful hair, and that great, big yellow beak, Sherman is one of the backbones of the Delmarva Shorebirds and creating lifelong memories at Perdue Stadium each and every
Delmarva Sports Network to Broadcast Expanded Delmarva Shorebirds Schedule Live
Salisbury, Md. – The Delmarva Sports Network (DSN) and the Delmarva Shorebirds are excited to announce the continuation and growth of their groundbreaking partnership. In 2025, fans will have the opportunity to watch 25 thrilling Shorebirds games broadcast live on free over-the-air television—a significant expansion from last year’s schedule of
Delmarva Shorebirds Field Staff Announced for 2025 Season!
The Delmarva Shorebirds, in conjunction with the Baltimore Orioles, are thrilled to announce the coaching staff for the upcoming 2025 season of Shorebirds baseball. Returning to the Shorebirds in his second season as skipper is former Shorebirds infielder Collin Woody who is joined by Casey Day, Christian Poulsen, Luis Silverio,
Shorebirds 2024 Season Recap
The 2024 season was a year of development for the Delmarva Shorebirds featuring a young team, specifically on the position player side, that endured their struggles in the early season. The team fought through a tough April where they finished 3-18, but began to find their way in May. In
Baltimore Orioles Manager Brandon Hyde Highlights 2025 Shorebirds Hot Stove Banquet
SALISBURY, MD – Baltimore Orioles Manager Brandon Hyde will serve as the featured guest at the Delmarva Shorebirds’ 22nd annual Hot Stove Banquet presented by Carey Distributors, Delmarva Sports Network (DSN), Gilbane Building Company, Sharp Water Culligan, and TidalHealth Home Care. The event will be held at the Wicomico Youth
Sherman and the Shorebirds 2024 Christmas Parade Schedule
Get ready for some holiday magic, Delmarva! Our Shorebirds are gearing up to spread some joy at the upcoming Christmas parades, and guess who’s joining the festive fun? That’s right, our beloved mascot Sherman! Mark your calendars for these merry dates: - Dec. 2 – Pocomoke (Starts @ 7 PM)
Shorebirds & Preston Automotive Group Raise over $4,900 in Funds and Toys Through Flock for a Cure
SALISBURY, MD – On August 3rd, 2024, the Delmarva Shorebirds and Preston Automotive Group were proud to team up for Flock for a Cure night at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium. The main mission of the night was to support and raise awareness for those affected by cancer. Shorebirds players wore
Shorebirds in the Spotlight: 2024 Silver Slugger Finalists Make Their Mark
As the 2024 MLB season has come to a close, the spotlight shines on some of the game's top offensive talents. With the announcement of the Silver Slugger Award finalists, this prestigious honor recognizes the best hitters at each position in both the American and National Leagues, celebrating players who
Delmarva Shorebirds Alum Highlighted as Gold Glove Finalists
Salisbury, MD: On October 15, 2024, Major League Baseball (MLB) announced the finalists for this year’s Rawling’s Gold Glove Award winners. Among the finalists were former Shorebirds and current Baltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle and Left Fielder Colton Cowser. In addition, former Shorebird and current Arizona Diamondbacks First Baseman
Delmarva Hits Three Home Runs in Regular Season Finale
Shorebirds Finish 2024 Season with Win Over Mudcats Delmarva Hits Three Home Runs in Regular Season Finale ZEBULON, NC: The Delmarva Shorebirds (53-78, 30-36) ended the 2024 regular season with a 9-3 victory over the Carolina Mudcats (78-51, 37-27). After a scoreless first two innings, the Shorebirds struck with a
Mudcats Use Big Innings to Run Away from Shorebirds
Carolina Handily Defeats Delmarva on Saturday Night Mudcats Use Big Innings to Run Away from Shorebirds ZEBULON, NC: The Delmarva Shorebirds (52-78, 29-36) were defeated by the Carolina Mudcats (78-50, 39-25) on Saturday by a final of 18-4. The Shorebirds faced a sizeable deficit early as the Mudcats scored six
Cravey, Cartaya, and Glassey Combine to Blank Mudcats
Shorebirds Even Series with Shutout Victory Cravey, Cartaya, and Glassey Combine to Blank Mudcats ZEBULON, NC: The Delmarva Shorebirds (52-77, 29-35) completed their ninth shutout victory of the season on Friday as they blanked the Carolina Mudcats (77-50, 36-26) by a final score of 3-0. After a scoreless first three
Rodriguez & Tuft Each Drive Home Three Runs to Pace Delmarva
Shorebirds Offense Explodes for 12 Runs in Victory Over the Mudcats Rodriguez & Tuft Each Drive Home Three Runs to Pace Delmarva ZEBULON, NC: The Delmarva Shorebirds (51-77, 28-35) secured their first win at Five County Stadium against the Carolina Mudcats (77-49, 36-25) on Thursday by a final of 12-6.
Carolina Wins First Two Games Against Delmarva
Shorebirds Blanked by Mudcats on Wednesday Night Carolina Wins First Two Games Against Delmarva ZEBULON, NC: The Delmarva Shorebirds (50-77, 27-35) suffered their second-straight loss to the Carolina Mudcats (77-48, 36-24) on Wednesday as they were defeated 4-0. The Mudcats grabbed a first-inning lead for the second night in a
Shorebirds Unable to Overcome Seven-First Inning by Mudcats
Carolina Top Delmarva in Series Opener Shorebirds Unable to Overcome Seven-First Inning by Mudcats ZEBULON, NC: The Delmarva Shorebirds (50-76, 27-34) were defeated by the Carolina Mudcats (76-48, 35-24) on Tuesday night by a final of 11-3. The Shorebirds faced a sizeable deficit early as the Mudcats scored seven runs
Delmarva Falls One Run Short in Home Finale
Red Sox Edge Shorebirds in Series Finale Delmarva Falls One Run Short in Home Finale SALISBURY, MD: The Delmarva Shorebirds (50-75, 27-33) fell to the Salem Red Sox (67-59, 33-27) on Sunday afternoon by a final of 6-5. The Red Sox grabbed an early lead in the first thanks to
Shorebirds Release Promotional Schedule & Single-Game Tickets for 2024 Season!
Get ready for the Shorebirds baseball season this year as the Shorebirds Promotional Schedule & Individual Game Tickets for the 2024 season are NOW AVAILABLE! Don't miss out on the chance to witness all the excitement, thrill, and unforgettable moments as the Shorebirds battle it out at Perdue Stadium this
Shorebirds Announce Daily Promotions for 2024 Season!
The Delmarva Shorebirds are excited to announce the Daily Promotions for the 2024 season of Shorebirds baseball! This season features the return of fan-favorites while having something for the whole family at each Shorebirds game! The Shorebirds 2024 Daily Promotion Lineup includes: - Tuesday: Valvoline Instant Oil Change Merchandise Book