Before they were leading the Washington Nationals back to the promised land in the big leagues, guys like Dylan Crews, James Wood, and others were once grinding through the team's minor league system waiting to get their opportunity in the show. As the 2024 season nears a close, I will continue seeking to provide daily Minor League updates by taking a page out of hockey's playbook, and award the 3 Stars of the Night for Nats minor leaguers that aren't with the big league club. This is an attempt to shine a spotlight on 3 future Nats who happen to have big time performances the night before, in hopes to give them a bit of limelight and exposure that they wouldn't normally get to experience.
In case you are unfamiliar with hockey's concept of the 3 Stars of the Game, 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."
With the AAA Rochester Red Wings being the only affiliate still in action for the 2024 season, it is no surprise that all of the selections for this piece are selections from Rochester. While the big league Nats suffered another defeat at the hands of the Chicago Cubs on Friday afternoon, the AAA Red Wings took another close victory over the Iowa Cubs, wining 2-1 in 10 innings.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Third Star of the Night: OF Andrew Pinckney - WSH #28 Prospect
Friday's Third Star of the Night goes to OF Andrew Pinckney, the Nats' 2023 4th-round pick out of the University of Alabama. He didn't do anything super spectacular on Friday, finishing the game 2/4 with a pair of singles and a stolen base, but as one of only 2 Red Wings players to reach base twice yesterday, I chose to go with him over Joey Meneses, who has been featured way too many times in these articles.
⭐️⭐️ Second Star of the Night: CP Rico Garcia
The Second Star of the Night from Friday's action goes to MiLB journeyman reliever Rico Garcia. The 30-year-old righty was once a 30th-round pick by the Colorado Rockies back in 2016, and has bounced around the minors ever since. Unfortunately for him he has been unspectacular in 30 career games in the majors, pitching to a 7.32 ERA and 1.88 WHIP, but has proven to be solid in the minors throughout his career. On Friday, he earned the win for the Red Wings after pitching a clean 10th inning with a pair of strikeouts, needing just 13 pitches to get through the inning. While is may not seem like anything much, this was more of an appreciation for being 20/21 in save chances this year for the Red Wings, and knowing that the game is over when the Red Wings get to the 9th with a lead has been a great luxury all season long.
⭐️ First Star of the Night: SP Brad Lord - WSH #30 Prospect
My First Star of the Night on Friday has to go to Washington's #30 prospect in righty Brad Lord, a former 18th-round pick out of the University of South Florida. The 24-year-old has rapidly risen within the Nats' system this season, and after dominating at AA Harrisburg to the tune of an 8-1 record, 1.40 ERA, and 1.03 WHIP, he was promoted to AAA Rochester, where he has a 2-3 record, 3.93 ERA, and 1.38 WHIP. He has now made 12 starts apiece this year at both levels, and he has gone from an unranked pitcher that nobody thought a ton about to a starter with a legitimate chance to make the majors in the near future. On Friday he went 6.0 innings, allowing just 1 run on 6 hits while walking a pair and striking out 7 batters. The solid 2024 season for Lord likely comes to a close on a high note, and perhaps there's a chance to make the rotation in Spring Training in 2025, as he surely will receive an invite to big league camp.
Which of these 3 players 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.