Washington Nationals at Miami Marlins: Grapefruit League GameThread

Washington Nationals’ prospect Ben Braymer put up a 2.51 ERA and a 3.37 FIP, with 21 walks (2.39 BB/9), and 69 Ks (7.86 K/9) in 13 starts and 79 innings pitched at Double-A Harrisburg in 2019, and a 7.20 ERA, a 7.98 FIP, 35 walks (5.25 BB/9), and 47 Ks (7.05 K/9) in 13 starts and 60 IP for the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies once he was promoted to the organization’s top minor league affiliate.

Then this winter, Braymer, 25, and the fourth-highest ranked southpaw on MLB Pipeline’s list of Washington’s top prospects, was added to the Nats’ 40-Man Roster, to protect him from selection in this year’s Rule 5 Draft.

“It’s a huge honor for me,” the 2016 18th Round pick out of Auburn said of being added to the Nationals’ 40-Man in an interview on MiLB.com’s The Show Before The Show. “And I’m very humbled that they think enough of me to add me to the roster, especially with them coming off of a World Series championship, I think that’s huge.”

After starting and relieving as he’s worked his way up, Braymer started exclusively in 2019, and he is getting the nod this afternoon, facing the Miami Marlins at 1:05 PM EDT in Jupiter, FL’s Roger Dean Stadium when the NL East rivals meet in Grapefruit League action.

Max Scherzer was given an option of either starting or throwing bullpen sessions between outings over the last few days as the club lines their pitchers up for the start of the regular season so it’s a chance for Braymer to test himself against the Fish in what will be his third appearance of the Spring after he gave up five hits, a walk, and four runs, two earned, over 3 ²⁄₃ IP out of the bullpen.

NOTE: Apparently Scherzer’s day didn’t go according to plan...

HERE’S THE NATIONALS’ LINEUP FOR TODAY’S GAME WITH THE FISH: