2020 MLB Draft: Washington Nationals select Cade Cavalli (RHP) with 22nd overall pick in 1st Round...

With the 22nd overall pick in the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft, Washington’s Nationals selected right-handed starter Cade Cavalli out of the University of Oklahoma.

Cavalli is the fourth straight pitcher the Nationals have selected with their top pick in the draft, selecting right-handed starters Jackson Rutledge (17th overall in 2019) and Mason Denaburg (27th, 2018) in the previous two drafts after they’d selected left-hander Seth Romero (25th overall) in the first round in the 2017 Draft.

Cavalli, 21, was (1-2) with a 4.18 ERA, five walks, and 37 Ks in four starts and 23 ²⁄₃ IP.

The 6’4’’ righty out of Bixby, OK, was the Sooners’ Friday night starter as a junior after he posted a 3.28 ERA with 35 walks and 59 Ks in 12 starts and 60 ¹⁄₃ IP in 2019. Cavalli also played for USA Baseball Collegiate National Team in the summer of 2019 as the Sooners noted on his profile page.

Cavalli’s father was a catcher in the Los Angeles Angels’ farm system in the 90s after playing at OU as well.

NOTE: Also worth noting that Nationals’ GM Mike Rizzo, who’s working from home tonight, has the Nats’ World Series trophy prominently displayed: