Washington Nationals’ prospect Tim Cate overcame shutdown challenges

WASHINGTON - The baseball shutdown that began in March didn’t do lefty pitcher Tim Cate any favors.

After leaving Spring Training he headed home to Connecticut and had limited access to throwing off the mound as compared to other pitchers from warmer states such as Florida and California, according to Nationals’ assistant general manager, player development Mark Scialabba.

But Cate, 23, a 2nd-round pick by Washington in 2018 out of the University of Connecticut, was able to play catch up once he got to Fredericksburg as part of the 60-player pool.

He followed that up as a member of the Instructional League roster in Florida.

“I think he had a great year,” Scialabba told Federal Baseball from Florida.

Zach Bland

“He got off to a slower start. He finished up extremely well. He was one of the most consistent pitchers in Fredericksburg. He really developed a change up this summer; it has become a weapon for him.”

“He has really matured and can pitch to both sides of the plate. His velocity was 91 the other day” as he pitched the last week of play in Florida, Scialabba said.

Cate advanced to high Single-A Potomac in 2019 and made 13 starts there after making the same number at low Single-A Hagerstown earlier in the year.

For his career, Cate is 13-15, 3.98 in 39 games with 38 starts.

The experience he had this season, despite no minor-league contests, could put him up in line to be at Double-A Harrisburg at some point in 2021 if the season starts on time.