"At the beginning of the 2024 season, then Nationals President of Baseball Operations Mike Rizzo put up signs in Nationals spring training telling pitchers he did not care about how hard pitchers threw ball four. In an era where analytically inclined coaches tell players to chase velocity, Rizzo was emphasizing low walk rates and control over simply throwing balls hard."
"On the 20-80 prospect rating scale, where 50 is average and each increment of 10 represents one standard deviation better or worse than average, Perales has a 70-grade fastball but 40-grade control. He throws triple digits and has stuff that will play well in the major leagues, but his control is a major concern. In exchange for Perales, the Nationals sent Jake Bennett, a lefty with more control but less electrifying stuff."
At the start of 2024, Mike Rizzo emphasized pitcher control and low walk rates over velocity. New Nationals leadership under Paul Toboni and Anirudh Kilambi favors modern analytical thinking that values elite fastball velocity. The acquisition of prospect Luis Perales, who features a 70-grade fastball and 40-grade control while throwing triple digits, signals a philosophical shift toward high-ceiling arms despite control issues. The front office believes it can develop raw, high-velocity pitchers into polished major-league assets. Potential offseason moves, including trades involving MacKenzie Gore, could target additional powerful pitching arms to bolster the organization.
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