Alvarez Locks In as Nationals Starter | Washington Nationals News

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On September 13th, the Washington Nationals are looking ahead to next season, and it's clear they're evaluating everyone on the roster. They've sent some players down to AAA, showing that roles are definitely up for grabs as they figure out who will be part of the team in 20 27, however, there's one arm on the pitching staff that seems to have secured a spot. Left-hander Andrew Alvarez has really stepped up and looks like he should be in the starting rotation come. Opening day, right alongside their ace, Cade Cavalli.
Alvarez wasn't exactly a highly touted prospect. He was a 12th round pick and never even cracked the top 30 in their farm system. He doesn't have overpowering stuff or a flashy physical presence on the mound. But his numbers speak for themselves. A 3.16 earn run average over 28 major league appearances with 20 starts. That's significantly better than the league average.
His last outing on September 12th was a prime example of what he can do. He pitched seven shutout innings, giving up only one hit and striking out eight. Even with a few walks, he managed to get out of trouble. Across nearly 100 innings as a starter in the majors, he's got a 3.01 ERA and is holding opponents to a low batting average. So with Alvarez locked in as a starter, that leaves three spots open for the 20-27 season.
Those could go to guys already on the team, prospects in the minors, or even new additions through trades or free agency. But based on his performance, Andrew Alvarez has earned his place in that rotation. Stay locked in with Washington Nationals News Today, AI powered updates.