Washington Nationals 2020 Draft Recap: Cole Henry - 2nd Round pick...

[ed. note - “This is the fifth in a series of stories looking at the Nationals’ 2020 Draft picks. You can check out the previous stories HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.”]

WASHINGTON – SEC powerhouse LSU continues to be pipeline for the Nationals and other organizations.

In 2015, the Nationals drafted outfielder Andrew Stevenson in the second round out of LSU and this year they selected 6-foot-4 right-hander pitcher Cole Henry – also in the second round.

Mark Scialabba, assistant general manager, player development, was able to see Henry in person when the pitcher was part of Instructional League in Florida this fall.

“We followed him through the summer and checked in with him with our coaches and pitching coordinators,” Scialabba told Federal Baseball during instructs while in Florida.

“He is a very mature young man. He picked up seamless from his time in college through the summer. When he got here we made sure he was healthy and put him on the mound and progressed him to games.

“He has thrown very well. He commands three pitches in and out of the strike zone. He repeats his delivery, he repeats his arm action.”

The Alabama native was drafted in the 38^th round out of high school by the Tigers but decided to attend LSU.

Henry was 6-3, 3.61 in 18 games with 15 starts in two seasons with the Tigers of LSU.

“He shows pitchability that you want in a front-line starter,” Scialabba said. “We are very excited to have Cole.”

Next: Pitcher Cade Cavalli, first round, University of Oklahoma