📰 Driving the Day at the Nats Report

Washington Nationals Sign Patrick Weigel To Minor League Deal 

While we were enjoying friends and family, the Washington Nationals were a bit busy by signing RHP Patrick Weigel To Minor League Deal. Talk Nats first reported this deal on December 29, 2024. Right-hander Chad Weigel, 30, embarks on his fifth MLB organization with the Washington Nationals. Drafted in the seventh round by the Atlanta Braves in 2015, Weigel debuted in 2020 but struggled. Traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in 2021, he showed some promise in brief major league stints but struggled with control at Triple-A, leading to his designation for assignment.

Weigel spent 2022 with the Seattle Mariners, posting a decent ERA but still plagued by walks. After bouncing around independent leagues and the Mexican League, he impressed at Double-A for the Cincinnati Reds this year. However, his control issues resurfaced at Triple-A.

The Nats Report Perspective: Patrick Weigel's potential as a valuable bullpen depth option for the Nationals hinges on his ability to improve control and reduce his walk rate. If he can effectively manage his walks, Weigel could easily become a valuable contributor to the team's bullpen this year.

Overall Grade: B

Looking back 

Bill looks back at what he thought was the Rochester Red Wings' most memorable game of 2024 in the latest edition of the Rochester Report. "On Wednesday, June 13th, it was announced that Gerrit Cole would be starting for Scranton on Friday night, and ticket sales exploded for that game. Innovative Field in Rochester seats 10,800 fans. On Thursday night, the seats were sold out for Friday night’s game, and on Friday, you could only buy standing-room-only seats." Read the full report here.

PLAYER PROFILE 

Drew Millas shows a pattern of being a Major League catcher.

Bill looks closer at Washington Nationals catcher Drew Millias, who has shown a pattern of being a major league catcher. “Last year, Millas began his 3rd full season in the Nationals’ organization. Scouts look at patterns when trying to evaluate players. The pattern that I have noticed with Millas is that when he receives a promotion, his offensive output declines while he’s adjusting to his new level of play. Every player has to make these adjustments, but not every player can make them. In 2024, Millas started the season in Rochester again. Just as he did in Harrisburg in his second season, his batting average jumped to over 0.300.” Read the full report.

Washington Nationals Sign RHP Junior Santos to a minor league deal

According to Chase Ford of MilB_Central, the Washington Nationals have signed RHP Junior Santos to a minor league deal. Santos has a 4.71 ERA and 375 strikeouts during his career, all within the New York Mets minor league organization. Last year at the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies, Santos went 4-1 with an ERA of 4.99 over 52.1, striking out 45. On November 4, 2024, Santos became a Free Agent as he has been moving up through the New York Mets minor leagues since 2021.

Ernest Dove, who covers the New York Mets' minor leagues, said: “Santos was a highly-touted prospect as a teenager who possesses an impressive physical stature, standing tall and possessing a powerful build. He consistently clocked fastball velocities in the 95-97 mph range during his late teens.

“However, throughout his development, Santos struggled to control his pitches, as evidenced by a persistently high walk rate. Furthermore, his strikeout numbers have consistently remained relatively low.

“Santos tends to 'overthrow' when facing challenging counts. This led some observers to advocate for his transition to the bullpen a year or two earlier than the organization ultimately decided to make the move.

“With his current command and an "out" pitch, transitioning to the bullpen might be Santos's best course of action. The Nationals may need to explore adjustments to his pitching mechanics, such as grip, the development of a new pitch, or modifications to his delivery. Ultimately, he needs to develop more swing-and-miss stuff to be successful at the Major League level.”

⏳ SPEED READS

What we think the Washington Nationals front office is reading