4 pitchers the Nationals could take in the first round of the MLB Draft

It’s become commonplace for the Washington Nationals to draft a pitcher when the MLB Draft rolls around each year.

Right-handed pitcher Cade Cavalli, last year’s first round pick, has soared through the minors in his first year, earning a promotion to Double-A Harrisburg. This season, between High-A and Double-A, Cavalli has logged 103 strikeouts in 62 innings.

Washington’s last five first round picks have been pitchers and the last position player drafted in the opening round was infielder Carter Kieboom in 2016. 

It looks like the trend will continue this year, here’s who draft experts think the Nationals will select on Sunday night:

The Athletic and CBS Sports: Jackson Jobe - right-handed pitcher - Heritage Hall High School (Oklahoma)

Jobe, one of the top high school arms in this year’s draft, wasn’t just a pitcher growing up, he was a shortstop who could pitch. 

The right-hander won Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year in Oklahoma this season. Jobe’s fastball has been clocked at 96 mph, but his strength is his slider with a spin rate of more than 3,000 rpm. 

ESPN, Sporting News, Bleacher Report and MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo: Ty Madden - right-handed pitcher - Texas

Last year, the Nationals took a Big 12 pitcher in Cavalli from Oklahoma and Madden could be the next Big 12 pitcher to find his way into Washington’s organization. 

In high school, Madden’s fastball topped out at 99 mph with a slider in the mid-80’s. This season at Texas, Madden logged 113.2 innings with a 2.45 ERA and 137 strikeouts. The right-hander also recorded four games with 10 or more strikeouts. 

MLB.com’s Jim Callis: Will Bednar - right-handed pitcher - Mississippi State

Bednar, Mississippi State’s ace during its run to the national championship this season, struck out a season-high 15 against Texas at the College World Series. This year, he tossed 92.1 innings with a 3.12 ERA while striking out 139. 

The Valencia, Pennsylvania, native’s fastball sits between 93-95 mph, but has topped out at 97 mph. Bednar has a curveball that sits in the high-70’s and a slider in the mid-80’s.

Fangraphs and The Score: Sam Bachman - right-handed pitcher - Miami (OH)

Bachman logged 59.2 innings this season with a 1.81 ERA and 93 mph en route to being named First-Team All-MAC. When Bachman was on the mound, opposing teams only hit .147 against him. 

The Fishers, Indiana, native’s fastball topped out at 101 mph this season, while sitting between 94-97 mph, up from 91-94 mph in his first two collegiate seasons.