Washington Nationals' MiLB 3 Stars of the Night - Wednesday 09/04/2024

In the first edition of a new series I am 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."

This is only the first experiment of this idea, so expect the formatting and presentation of this to continue to change as the MiLB season comes to a close here relatively soon.

In a quiet night for the system all around, with the 4 affiliates of the Nationals combining for a 2-2 record with just 21 hits, these were the 3 Stars of the Night for the Nats' Minor League system.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Third Star of the Night: C Kevin Bazzell - WSH #14 Prospect, Low-A Fredericksburg

The 2024 3rd-round selection of the Nats, C Kevin Bazzell out of Texas Tech served as the DH in the Low-A Fredericksburg Nationals' 4-2 victory over the Lynchburg Hillcats. In this game, he went 1/2 with a 2-run single, and drew a pair of walks as well. Although he was the second catcher selected by the Nationals in this year's draft behind Caleb Lomavita, it's clear the organization believes in his 60-grade hit tool and 55-grade arm, as well as the fact that he's a collegiate bat as well. While it may be awhile before we see him in Washington, he's worth keeping an eye on as his OPS is creeping towards .700.

⭐️⭐️ Second Star of the Night: 3B Cayden Wallace - WSH #11 Prospect, AA Harrisburg

Fresh off his rehab appearance with High-A Wilmington, Cayden Wallace had a 2/4 night with an RBI single. If you aren't super familiar with his name yet, no worries. He was the main prospect return in the Hunter Harvey trade back in July, and has only recently resumed play within the Washington organization due to some injuries he was dealing with. This was only his 6th game in the Nats' minor league system, and just his second with AA Harrisburg. The 49th pick back in the 2022 Draft by Kansas City, Wallace is potentially on pace to make himself apart of the third base equation for the future as early as next season, joining a crop that now includes Brady House, Jose Tena, and Trey Lipscomb, among others.

⭐️ First Star of the Night: 1B Yohandy Morales - WSH #9 Prospect, AA Harrisburg

One of the more intriguing young bats in the Washington system, Yohandy Morales had an impressive night, going 3/5 with a pair of RBI singles. Morales is a player who many once believed could fly through the minor leagues after being selected with the 40th pick in the 2023 draft. However, Morales has been slowed by injuries throughout his short professional career so far. His 55-grade power is no joke, and there's a chance that if he can keep up his recent phenomenal play that he will play himself into being the first baseman of the future for a team that is sorely missing one right now. His development will be key for this organization moving forward, and he earns 1st star of the night for his efforts.

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

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