Nationals reportedly promote top prospect Lucas Giolito to Double-A Harrisburg

In 13 games, 11 of them starts for the High-A Potomac Nationals, 2012 1st Round pick Lucas Giolito was (3-5) with a 2.71 ERA, a 2.02 FIP, 20 walks (2.58 BB/9) and 86 Ks (11.11 K/9) in 69 ⅔ innings pitched.

This afternoon, Washington's top pitching prospect was reportedly promoted to Double-A Harrisburg.

Nats top prospect Lucas Giolito has been promoted to Class AA Harrisburg.

— James Wagner (@JamesWagnerWP) July 25, 2015

The 16th pick of the 2012 Draft has progressed nicely since returning to the mound in 2013, following Tommy John surgery in 2012, and he took another step on the road to the major leagues this afternoon.

In ranking Giolito as the top pitching prospect in baseball, MLB.com's Pipeline scouts predicted that things could move quickly for the recently-turned 21-year-old right-hander:

"Giolito is an elite talent with the stuff, size and pitching acumen to develop into an ace. As the Nationals continue to loosen his reins, he should start moving faster through the Minor Leagues."

Giolito talked in an MLB Network Radio interview with Jim Duquette and Mike Ferrin earlier this month about his own development and what has chanced since he turned pro.

"When I was pitching in high school my past couple of years, it's kind of -- in a way you expect to go out there and dominate," he said.

"It's just what you expect of yourself as like a prospect-type player, a guy going to a D1 college. You hit the pro ranks and you're facing guys just as good you so you have to internalize that and understand the level of preparation you need to go out and be successful."

He's been successful so far and he'll take another step in his development when he makes the jump to Double-A ball.

As MASNSports.com's Byron Kerr noted this morning, Giolito wasn't the only prospect who was promoted to the Nats' Eastern League affiliate today:

LHP Matt Purke and RHP John Simms promoted to Double-A Harrisburg

— Byron Kerr (@masnKerr) July 25, 2015