MLB rumors: 5 prospects who can help the Nationals

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 09: Washington Nationals Outfield Victor Robles (16) celebrates is home run with Washington Nationals Outfield Juan Soto (22) during the game between the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies on April 9, 2019 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 22: Wil Crowe #72 of the Washington Nationals poses for a portrait on Photo Day at FITTEAM Ballpark of The Palm Beaches during on February 22, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

2. Wil Crowe

The Nationals have the most expensive starting rotation in MLB — Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin aren’t cheap, after all. Despite all of the millions the team has spent to field one of the best rotations in the league, they’ve still been forced to dip into the retread pool for the likes of Jeremy Hellickson and Anibal Sanchez to fill out the fourth and fifth spots. Both have been disastrous this season, as Hellickson sports a 5.82 ERA and Sanchez is 0-4 with a 5.91 mark.

Washington is short on quality depth at the back end of their rotation thanks to the loss of Tanner Roark and the fact that Joe Ross is making a very slow recovery from Tommy John surgery. The Nats want to contend this year and for the life of Scherzer’s contract, but that’s going to be impossible with two duds every five days from the fourth and fifth starters.

If things really get desperate for the Nationals, they may consider turning to top prospect Wil Crowe. The big right-hander was a second-round pick in 2017 and immediately shot up the ranks to Double-A by last season. Last year, he made his first 16 appearances at High-A and was 11-0 with a 2.69 ERA in 87 innings. Crowe hit a bit of a wall after being promoted to Double-A to end the year, but is off to an incredible start this season.

If the Nationals had their way, Crowe might stay down another entire year in the Minor Leagues given his medical history. It’s going to be impossible to ignore what he’s doing much longer, though. Crowe is 3-0 in his first five starts for Harrisburg with a 0.96 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 28 innings. He features a big fastball with sink, a curveball and a slider, and consistently throws strikes.

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