Nationals vs Mets: Grapefruit League GameThread - Erick Fedde starts vs NY...

Erick Fedde, the top-ranked pitcher in the Washington Nationals’ organization after Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez were dealt this winter (along with 2016 1st Round pick Dane Dunning), has thrown four innings over two appearances this Spring, with two hits and one (unearned) run allowed thus far in Grapefruit League action.

This afternoon, Fedde starts for the first time when he and the Nationals take on the New York Mets in Port St. Lucie, Florida’s First Data Field.

The Nats’ 1st Round pick in 2014, who underwent Tommy John surgery that summer, pitched at two levels in the system last season, going (6-4) with a 2.85 ERA, a 3.22 FIP, 19 walks (1.87 BB/9) and 95 Ks (9.33 K/9) in 91 ²⁄₃ innings at High-A Potomac and (2-1) with a 3.99 ERA, 3.02 FIP, 10 walks (3.07 BB/9) and 28 Ks (8.59 K/9) in 29 1⁄3 innings at Double-A Harrisburg.

Fedde was ranked the 52nd overall on Baseball America’s list of the Top 100 Prospects this winter.

In an interview with Sirius/XM’s Fantasy baseball last month, Nationals’ GM Mike Rizzo talked about having Fedde in big league camp this year so he can get a taste of major league competition like he will today in his first start of the Spring.

“[Erick] Fedde is one of our top prospects that’s in big league camp,” Rizzo said.

“We want to get him a taste of it and see where he’s at so he’s not in awe when he gets to the big leagues and he’s a guy we have high expectations [for].”

Here’s the lineup that will back Fedde up (on the road, so, you know):

NOTE: You can watch this afternoon’s game on SNY in the NY area and on MLB.tv everywhere else.