Washington Nationals’ prospect Quade Tomlin has history with organization...

WASHINGTON - Quade Tomlin grew up in the Nationals’ system, spending time on City Island in Harrisburg when his father Randy was the Double-A pitching coach for the Senators.

Now the younger Tomlin is playing pro ball for the first time, spending time in the Florida Complex League as an infielder.

Quade Tomlin signed with the Nationals in 2020 after he was one of the top shortstops at the high school level in Virginia. He played for his father in high school at Lynchburg Christian Academy, and turned down the chance to play at Division I Liberty - where his father was a pitcher - in order to sign with the Nationals.

“He has come a long way defensively,” player development instructor Jeff Garber, a former minor league shortstop, told Federal Baseball about the younger Tomlin.

“Definitely it has been a big jump. He has made progress, though. His feet and hands are really good; he has moved between second base and third.”

Tomlin has struggled at the plate, hitting .091 in his first 55 at-bats in the Florida Complex League.

“It has definitely been a learning year for him, he is making adjustments,” Garber said.

Randy Tomlin, a native of Maryland, grew up near Lynchburg and pitched for the Pirates from 1990-94. He won 33 games in the minors, 30 in the majors and was the National League pitcher of the month in June 1992.

His son worked out with Randy Tomlin last year when the minor league season was called off due to the pandemic.

“I am extremely blessed with many opportunities back home with many people who are willing to help me to get better every day,” Quade Tomlin told Federal Baseball last year after he signed with the Nationals.