Washington Nationals' MiLB 3 Stars of the Night - Thursday 09/05/2024

As the season continues to roll on, I will continue experimenting with near the end of the Minor League season, I am taking a page out of hockey's playbook and will be awarding 3 stars of the night for Nats organization pieces that aren't yet with the big league club. This is an attempt to shine a spotlight on 3 future Nats who happen to have big time games the night before, in hopes to give them a bit of limelight that they wouldn't normally get to experience.

According to Wikipedia: "The three stars in ice hockey are the three best players in a game, with the "first star" considered the best of the three players, akin to the player of the match in other sports. Media representatives of the home team choose the three stars, who are usually the top point scorers or outstanding goaltenders from either team."

Overall, tonight was a better night for the organization's lower levels, as the teams went 2-2, with victories from Low-A Fredericksburg and High-A Wilmington. A major shoutout to the FredNats, who are headed to the Carolina League playoffs with an organization-leading 73-55 record! Led by 2024 1st-round pick Seaver King, the Nats' Low-A affiliate has been playing some great ball, with the rest of the team including recent high draft picks such as Elijah Green, Kevin Bazzell, and Caleb Lomavita.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Third Star of the Night: SP Jose Atencio, High-A Wilmington

Without following 22-year-old righty Jose Atencio super closely this season, his pitching line is strange to look at overall. With High-A Wilmington, he has pitched to a solid 3.41 ERA, but has just a 4-11 record and a subpar 1.46 WHIP, while allowing a .288 average against him. However, last night in Wilmington's victory he was great, pitching 7.0 innings, striking out 5, walking one, and managing to scatter 7 hits for just 2 earned runs. In a frustrating season for the Blue Rocks, Atencio was a bright spot in a nice win, and earns the third star of the night.

⭐️⭐️ Second Star of the Night: OF Jared McKenzie, High-A Wilmington

The second star of the night is a friend and former Baylor Bear legend, 23-year-old outfielder Jared McKenzie had a great night in the Blue Rocks' victory, going 3/5 with a 3-run triple and a double. This season has been one of growth for McKenzie, as he has seen both his OBP and SLG% rise almost 20 points apiece, leading to an OPS of .640 through 73 games in Low-A this year. While the 2022 5th-round pick isn't on the doorstep of the show yet, if he can continue to progress he should be looking at an opportunity to move up to AA Harrisburg next season.

Click here for my interview piece I did with Jared McKenzie back in February.

⭐️ First Star of the Night: C Riley Adams, AAA Rochester

Finally, Thursday's first star of the night is not a prospect, but a guy who is definitely too good for the minor leagues: catcher Riley Adams. He went 3/5 with a 3-run homer in Rochester's 13-10 loss, but continues to show that he deserves to be a part of the Nats' catcher equation going into next season. At this time, it seems as if he's the classic case of a 4A player, as his .311/.395/.583 line and .978 OPS to go along with 8 homers in 103 at-bats proves he can dominate the highest level of the minors. However, his .224/.292/.336 line and .628 OPS in the majors along with his subpar defense has made him fall behind the organizational catcher line behind Keibert Ruiz and Drew Millas. Only time will tell if Adams can fall back into the good graces of the organization, but for now he just has to bide his time.

Which of these 3 prospects are you most excited to see in Washington one day? Do you think I missed someone more deserving? Do you think Riley Adams can play his way back to Washington?As always please let me know your thoughts on X,@DCBerk.

All stats in this article were provided by MiLB.com and MLB.com.