Kumar Rocker pitched four innings of three-hit ball, surrendering one run and striking out seven Seattle Mariners batters in first career start.

Washington Nationals Pitching Prospect Marquis Grissom Jr. Promoted To High-A Wilmington

Washington Nationals Pitching Prospect Marquis Grissom Jr. Promoted To High-A Wilmington

The Washington Nationals are in a rebuild and the way the team is currently playing and the riches of minor league talent coming down the pipeline, the prevailing thought is that they won’t be down for long.

 

We’ve heard about the position player prospects like power hitter James Wood, the club’s second-ranked prospect. Then there’s 2023 No.2 overall pick Dylan Crews who’s got all the tools to be great. Elijah Green was a top pick in 2022 and he’s currently learning how to survive in pro ball.

 

RELATED: Maintenance or Manipulation: When Will James Woods See the Bigs?”

 

But fans also want to know how the club’s pitching is looking in the farm system.

 

Washington Nationals Have Rich History Of Elite Pitchers: Enter Marquis Grissom Jr. 

 

Once known for their dominant pitching, which led the franchise to its first and only World Series title in 2019 with pitchers like Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin, the Nationals are hoping to groom and develop some new hurlers to lead the rebuild.

 

One name that’s definitely in the team’s plans is 2022 13th round pick Marquis Grissom Jr. who was promoted to the club’s High-A affiliate In Wilmington.

 

Grissom Continues To Shine

 

Last year Grissom displaying his abilities on the mound in Single-A Fredericksburg, which included a solid (4-2) record in 31 appearances to go along with a paltry 2.13 ERA and 39 strikeouts in just over 41 innings of work. He also boasted a 1.11 WHIP which is (walks and hits per innings pitched). For his efforts he was named a 2023 MiLB All-Star, and now he’s been promoted

.

Right now, Grissom Jr. projects as a relief pitcher with the ability to become a lights out closer. Grissom ‘s biggest improvement has come is in his control on the mound, and the increased velocity which is now around 97 MPH after being around 94.5 MPH when drafted.

 

Melanated Mound Marauder Marquis Grissom Jr Adding To Repertoire

 

When he was drafted Grissom Jr was known as a “fastball/change up guy.” That changed a bit in 2023 and now in 2024 as he’s learned to utilize his slider more often.

 

Team officials raved about his ability to make hitters uncomfortable. In fact, they told reporters this about Grissom Jr.

 

“Really good this year at inducing west contact and attacking the zone out of the pen.”

 

That’s a huge reason why he was promoted to High-A ball.

 

Thus far in 2024 Grissom Jr. has been lights out. In nine appearances he’s posted a (1-1) record with a 1.88 ERA, 20 strikeouts and a 1.05 WHIP. This in just over 14 innings of work.

 

Keep this up and it won’t be long before he’ll be getting the call up to Double-A ball.