Nationals draft 6-foot-8 pitcher Jackson Rutledge in first round of MLB draft

By Adam Zielonka - The Washington Times - Monday, June 3, 2019

The Washington Nationals already have a St. Louis native starring in their rotation in Max Scherzer. The franchise added another pitcher from that city Monday — albeit one who towers five inches taller than Scherzer.

The Nationals selected 6-foot-8 right-handed pitcher Jackson Rutledge with the 17th overall pick in the 2019 MLB First-Year Player Draft.

Rutledge played at San Jacinto Junior College in Texas, where he transferred after a freshman season at Arkansas. He led NJCAA Division 1 with a 0.87 ERA last season and threw 134 strikeouts. The 20-year-old regularly throws his fastball in the mid-90s, along with a slider and curveball.

MLB.com rated Rutledge the No. 12 overall prospect in the draft pool. On MLB Network’s coverage of the draft, Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez said he loved “literally everything about this kid.”

“Power arm, power breaking ball, good movement,” Martinez said. “A body that’s almost ready for the big leagues … I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes it to the big leagues relatively soon.”

On a conference call with reporters, Rutledge said Nationals scouts attended “just about every game” of his and added he loves to watch fellow St. Louisan Scherzer pitch.

“I just really wanted to go to wherever I could make a difference, and I think Washington’s definitely a place I could step in and be a guy so I’m excited for that and looking forward to it,” Rutledge said.