WASHINGTON NATIONALS TOP 10 PROSPECTS
1. CADE CAVALLI, RHP
AGE: 22. B-T: R-R. HT: 6-4. WT: 226. DRAFTED: Oklahoma, 2020 (1st round). SIGNED BY: Jerad Head.
TRACK RECORD: After two seasons in a two-way role for Oklahoma, Cavalli focused on pitching as a junior in 2020. He quickly asserted himself as a first-round talent in a deep class of college pitchers. The former USA Baseball Collegiate National Team member already was a known commodity to Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo and the entire scouting community. Washington took him 22nd overall and signed him for $3.027 million. Cavalli fit right into a spot in the club’s 60-man player pool and impressed the big leaguers with his performance in a simulated game at Nationals Park before the start of the delayed major league season. Cavalli had back issues in high school and a stress reaction in his arm in college, but he was healthy all summer while adjusting to pitching every sixth day instead of once a week. One of his off-the-field interests has helped him get to know teammates better. He estimates he has given more than 500 haircuts.
Cavalli accurately described himself on draft night as a blend of power and pitchability. His fastball sits in the mid 90s with ease and touches 98 mph. More than just a thrower, he complements his heater with an array of impressive secondaries. His slider is a devastating offering at 87-90 mph with impressive tilt and gets swings and misses against both lefties and righties. His curveball is a hard downer that hitters don’t see well, and he can
