District On Deck
FanSided

Washington Nationals: District On Deck’s 2017 Top 10 Prospects List

By Ricky Keeler

Mar 19, 2015; Melbourne, FL, USA; A view of Space Coast Stadium during the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Washington Nationals. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2015; Melbourne, FL, USA; A view of Space Coast Stadium during the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Washington Nationals. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
10 of 11
Next
Washington Nationals
Feb 24, 2015; Viera, FL, USA; A Washington Nationals baseball cap lies on the field during spring training workouts at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Erick Fedde

Fedde takes over as the top pitching prospect in the system after the Nats big trade with the White Sox. While I wouldn’t expect Fedde to make his big league debut in 2017, the first round pick back in 2014 was able to reach double-A by the end of this past season.

The right-hander began the season at Potomac and was 6-4 with a 2.85 ERA in 17 starts. Once the second half of the season began in the Carolina League, Fedde put up excellent numbers. He went 3-1 with a 0.63 ERA in eight games and had a combined 19 strikeouts in his final two outings.

After being promoted to Harrisburg, Fedde went 2-1 with a 3.99 ERA in five starts. His last outing of the season against Bowie on August 31 was his best one of the season. The 23-year-old went six innings, gave up one run on four hits, struck out 12, and walked one on 99 pitches in a no-decision.

In my Harrisburg season in review, Mick Reinhard talks about how dominant Fedde can be when he has all the pitches in his arsenal working:

"“After getting hit around a little, I think he realized he can’t blow everybody away at this level with his fastball. His best start, also his last, he threw all three of his pitches for strikes and kept his slider down in the zone. He’s a real competitor with the ball in his hand.”"

I don’t expect the Washington Nationals to rush Fedde to the Major Leagues in 2017 since he did have Tommy John before beginning his professional career. However, he is clearly the pitcher to watch at the upper levels of the Washington Nationals farm system this year.

Home/Nationals Prospects