As spring training continues to roll right along for the Washington Nationals and teams all across the sport, guys who came into camp optimistic that they would have a chance to make the big league roster for their respective clubs will inevitably be cut from camp, as each team gets closer to setting their 26-man rosters.
On March 4th, the Nationals made their first round of cuts from big league camp, including some of their top prospects who just are not quite ready to make an impact at the MLB level. On March 7th, the team made a few more cuts, as players that will not make the club can go down to Minor League camp to get acquainted with their teammates and coaches.
In this article, I will be examining the players who were cut on each day, and try to gauge whether or not they will have a chance to appear in the big leagues at some point in 2025.
March 4th cuts:
The Nationals have assigned the following players to Minor League camp:
— Nationals Communications (@NationalsComms) March 4, 2025
RHP Daison Acosta
RHP Marquis Grissom Jr.
RHP Jack Sinclair
RHP Tyler Stuart
RHP Jarlin Susana
C Caleb Lomavita
C Max Romero
The cuts that the Washington Nationals made on March 4th included numerous prospects inside the Nationals updated Top 30 list, including Jarlin Susana (#3 WSH prospect). The flamethrowing righty showed off his electric stuff in camp, but clearly still has some seasoning that he needs to get down in the minors before he is ready to be an impact pitcher at the MLB level.
While none of these names were really surprises, as I would have assumed the only player that might have had a chance to make the Opening Day roster out of this list would be Marquis Grissom Jr. (#24), it was at least good for these players to get experience being in camp with fellow big leaguers. Catcher Caleb Lomavita (#9), the 39th pick in the 2024 draft, could potentially be in line to make the big leagues as soon as next season, depending on how well his bat translates at the lower levels this year.
The only other player I could potentially see making the big leagues this year is righty Tyler Stuart (#15), who was acquired from the New York Mets in the Jesse Winker deal last season, but it is tough to project due to the Nationals' current abundance of starting pitching. He did make it up to AAA last season, so he could be close in line in case of injuries or poor performance by any of the big league starters.
March 7th cuts:
The Nationals have made the following roster moves:
— Nationals Communications (@NationalsComms) March 7, 2025
Reassigned to Minor League camp:
RHP Joan Adon
LHP Konnor Pilkington
Optioned to Triple-A Rochester
RHP Cole Henry
RHP Andry Lara
None of the 4 names from the cuts made on March 7th were terribly surprising, but I was still a little bit surprised to see righty Cole Henry sent to Minor League camp. We wrote about his impressive performance so far in camp just a few days ago, and many of the expected relievers that will break camp with the club have not looked sharp, but Henry had looked pretty solid as he finally was getting used to a full-time bullpen move. I would expect to see him with the Nationals at some point in the 2025 season, simply because relievers are so volatile.
Joan Adon has seemingly been given endless chances to prove himself in this organization, but it appears as if the club has finally moved him down in the pecking order. There is always a chance we see him in the big leagues, but I certainly hope he does not get a chance before guys like Henry or Stuart.
Andry Lara (#17), was a guy that was put on the 40-man roster this offseason, but he proved that he is not quite ready for big league competition yet. If the 22-year-old can replicate his 2024 season, he has an outside chance of being a call-up in September when rosters expand, but even that feels like a stretch.
Were you surprised to see any of these names get cut from big league camp? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.