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The underrated Nationals Prospect whose stock dramatically rose this season

Although all the rage in the Nats' minor leagues has been about Dylan Crews, Brady House, and Travis Sykora, who is one Nats prospect who saw a dramatic rise in his stock this year?

By Reese Evans |
Mar 15, 2024; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Andry Lara (23) pitches in the sixth inning against the New York Mets in the Spring Breakout at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Mar 15, 2024; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Andry Lara (23) pitches in the sixth inning against the New York Mets in the Spring Breakout at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images / Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Andry Lara, Washington's 17th-ranked prospect, quietly had a dominant season in the minor leagues. Between A+ and AA, Lara was 11-11 with a 3.34 ERA across 134.2 innings. He started six games in A+ and 19 in AA. Andry recorded 132 strikeouts, 44 walks, and allowed 16 home runs. His opponent's batting average was .227 and a WHIP of 1.16. Lara had a fantastic season, which flew under the radar likely due to other prospect's Major League debuts.

Lara just completed his fourth season in the minor leagues and he's yet to turn 22-years-old. He was signed in Washington's international class 2019 for $1.25 million. Standing at 6-foot-4, 180 pounds, Lara projects as a capable starting pitcher. His fastball touches 96mph on occasion and he also features both a slider and changeup. Strikeouts come and go for Lara as he generates ground balls at a high rate. His delivery on the mound is smooth and he doesn't appear to be giving maximum effort on all pitches. If he were to add 20 pounds, he could reach the high 90s with ease. At just 21-years-old, he has time to mature into his frame.

Development is a priority for Lara right now. What's the next step for him? Racking up strikeouts and limiting walks. A dominant pitcher can pitch to a strikeout in the most pivotal times in the game. Developing his slider to the next level to generate more swing-and-misses is vital for Lara. Strikeouts on pitches outside the zone at AA won't happen in the Majors. Consistency around the strike zone with all pitches leads to chasing out of the zone. Command and confidence in his repertoire should be the focus of his training this winter.

When should Nats fans expect Lara to make his Major League debut? It would take a large step forward in his development for his debut to occur in the 2025 season. There's no reason for the Nats front office to rush Lara to the big leagues, but his Rule-5 eligibility is concerning. After five seasons, players signed at 18 or younger must be added to the team's 40-man roster. Lara will unlikely be selected in the Rule-5 Draft, but crazier things have happened.

Realistically, 2026 is a modest target date for Lara's debut in a Nationals uniform. He'll be 23 years old with six seasons of minor league development. He could be a very polished pitcher when he joins the Nationals. The Nationals have an exciting trio of minor-league pitching prospects; Travis Sykora, Jarlin Susana, and Andry Lara. All three are 21 or younger, and Sykora and Susana are top-100 prospects. Lara flys under the radar on the scope of experts but is no slouch. He's going to be an interesting follow in the 2025 season and beyond.

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