"ORLANDO - The MLB Rule 5 Draft presents an opportunity. With it, teams can take fliers on flawed minor league prospects with big league potential. The Washington Nationals did so Wednesday, selecting right-hander Griff McGarry from the Philadelphia Phillies. In McGarry, the Nationals add a pitcher with an electric arsenal who hasn't been able to harness it over the plate. The 26-year-old finished his 2025 season with a 3.44 ERA over 21 starts - 17 of which came with Philadelphia's Class AA affiliate."
"With his comments, Butera continued a steady message from the Nationals over the past few days at MLB's winter meetings: prioritizing player development at all levels. That was apparent with the selection of McGarry and the six players Washington took in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft; no other team took more than four. The Nationals had more minor leaguers elect free agency ( 34) than any other team, according to Baseball America."
Griff McGarry was selected by the Washington Nationals in the Rule 5 Draft, adding a 26-year-old right-hander with an electric arsenal but control issues. McGarry posted a 3.44 ERA in 2025 across 21 starts, including 17 at Double-A. Washington framed the pick within a broader emphasis on player development under new leadership, including manager Blake Butera and president Paul Toboni. The Nationals also acquired six players in the minor-league phase — outfielder Jack Rogers and five right-handers — after losing a major number of minor leaguers to free agency, creating urgency to restock organizational depth.
Read at The Washington Post
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