Nats outfielders pack punch in Spring Breakout breakout
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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- A pair of Nationals outfield prospects went deep against their Astros prospect counterparts in the Spring Breakout on Friday.
No. 25 prospect Elijah Green and No. 26 prospect Andrew Pinckney provided offensive power in the 6-6 tie at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
¡°You see some familiar faces and players you played against in college and summer ball,¡± Pinckney said. ¡°It¡¯s just cool to see them doing well, too, and having that feeling of, ¡®In two, three years, this might be what the landscape looks like¡¯ -- and you see your friends out there.¡±
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Here are notable moments from the Nationals¡¯ first Spring Breakout game of 2025. They will host the Mets for a second game on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. ET.
Pregame assist
Even though right-hander Travis Sykora (Nationals No. 2 prospect, MLB No. 69) and left-hander Alex Clemmey were not pitching on Friday, they still helped with dugout must-haves -- sunflower seeds and bubble gum.
Pinckney finds spark
Pinckney has been in Major League camp this spring as a non-roster invitee. He has made a positive impression, but the 2023 fourth-round Draft pick from Alabama has struggled at the plate. So when he hit a solo home run off Astros starter (and No. 6 prospect) Miguel Ullola to left-center field in the second inning, it was a pleasant sight.
¡°It¡¯s one of those things where it¡¯s good to see one,¡± said Pinckney, adding, ¡°I¡¯ve had a rough go of it lately. I hadn¡¯t been finding holes, and swinging and missing a little bit. I¡¯ve been trying to work hard, and I got a good pitch to hit and I did something with it. So I¡¯m happy about that.¡±
Green goes yard
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The following inning, Green homered in the DH role, driving in Seaver King with a blast to left-center field off Astros¡¯ No. 28 prospect Alex Santos II.
Green, the 2022 fifth overall Draft pick out of IMG Academy, has been working toward offensive consistency. He batted .208 last season (86-for-414) with Single-A Fredericksburg.
¡°I was just trying to get on time with the fastball, put the ball [in play] and get the next guy on,¡± Green said. ¡°... Middle-in is really what I was looking for, because he¡¯s got a little sink to it. So you¡¯ve got to start middle, and it kind of just ran into my barrel.¡±
Shuman strong closing out game
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Right-hander Seth Shuman delivered three scoreless innings to secure the tie. The 27-year-old recorded three strikeouts, allowed three hits and did not issue a walk. Shuman, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2023 and reached Double-A last season, had one of the loudest cheering sections at the ballpark.
Back in game action (finally)
The Spring Breakout is the first nine-inning game since last season for many prospects. Shortstop Seaver King, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 Draft out of Wake Forest, had not taken the field for one since Sept. 8 in Single-A.
¡°It's definitely an adjustment period, for sure,¡± said King, Washington's No. 5 prospect. ¡°Definitely the longest break I've had since I was probably like 6 years old. But obviously, it's needed, especially since I don't necessarily know what you expect from the season, it being a lot longer than what I'm used to. So I was like, I hate it, but it¡¯s going to be good for me. I got through it. That was the hard part, but now we¡¯re here.¡±
Postgame jersey swap