When the final out was recorded in the Fredericksburg Nationals, Single-A Championship game for the Carolina League, you have to be ecstatic about the young players being developed in the Nats minor league system.
There are familiar names from the Top-100 prospects list topped by Jarlin Susana and Travis Sykora who both pitched for Fredericksburg this year. While Susana was promoted mid-season, Sykora was a key part of the FredNats season. He was named Pitcher of the Year on the same day he earned the win in this championship game with a 5.0 inning scoreless gem and 9 strikeouts.
In addition, the FredNats roster had key contributors who were just drafted in July, including their Top-2 picks with Seaver King and Caleb Lomavita, as well as third round pick Kevin Bazzell. And there was also reliever Robert Cranz (0.00 ERA) from the draft, making an impression on the evaluators.
These rosters are also a conglomeration of players from more humble beginnings like Brandon Pimentel, an undrafted college free agent from Texas-Rio Grande Valley. Pimentel delivered the 2-run homer to make Sykora a winner and all the runs that Fredericksburg needed in their 3-0 shutout win.
Who knows if 1st round pick, Elijah Green, from the 2022 draft, becomes a future star for the Nationals or maybe it will be Cristhian Vaquero, the top player signed three years ago in the international free agent class. Vaquero suffered a shoulder injury in the game when the Kannapolis first baseman fell on top of him on a pickoff play.
Then you have LHP Alex Clemmey who was one of the key trade acquisition pieces in the Lane Thomas deal at the end of July, and Clemmey pitched Game 2 of this series. He’s a 19 year old with top of the rotation stuff and just has to build up his stamina. He had 9 strikeouts in his 4⅓ innings — but hit the wall in the 4th inning and gave up 3-runs.
Closer Anthony Arguelles, who led the league in saves in the regular season, came on for the final inning and the save. Arguelles had a no drama 1-2-3 to send Kannapolis down in order to secure the Carolina League Title for Fredericksburg. Sykora earned the win with his gem, and Arguelles earned his third save of the postseason. It’s the first championship for the club since moving to Fredericksburg, and the first title since 2014 for the franchise as a whole.
Fredericksburg manager, Jake Lowery, was the man with the plan, and there should be brighter days ahead for this championship manager.
This also is a huge accomplishment for Eddie Longosz who was promoted by President of Baseball Operations, Mike Rizzo, to take over the VP role in charge of player development.
Most of these players will be promoted up the chain to High-A Wilmington with the possibility a few might head straight to Double-A Harrisburg. The goal is to make the Washington Nationals roster in the near future with a positive impact.
This is a great sign for the future.
