I am kind of representing all the JUCO guys right now and representing how hard they work,” Rutledge said. He was projected to go as high as the first five rounds coming out of high school in 2017, but after strongly indicating that he was committed to go pitch at Arkansas, he went undrafted. He throws from a three-quarter arm slot with his fastballs sitting in the high-90s.His low-80s curveball also has become an above-average offering and features devastating break.Dan Zielinski III is the creator of the Baseball Prospect Journal and has covered the MLB draft since 2015. He entered the spring as a potential first-round pick. College, with the 17th pick in the first round of the MLB draft Monday night. Jackson Rutledge. It’s one of the reasons why he transferred to San Jacinto Junior College in Texas after spending his freshman year at Arkansas last season. “One thing that bugs me is the noncompetitive pitches,” Rutledge said. Team: Washington Nationals (majors, non-roster invite) Born: April 1, 1999 in Springdale, MO us Draft: Drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 1st round (17th) of the 2019 MLB June Amateur Draft from San Jacinto College, North Campus (Houston, TX). So that’s cool to actually see him in real life. Follow him on Twitter @DanZielinski3.Rutledge, a 6-foot-8, 250-pound right-hander, has a five-pitch mix, featuring a four-seam fastball, two-seam fastball, curveball, slider and changeup. It’s one of the reasons why he transferred to San Jacinto Junior College in Texas after spending his … To be fair, it’s too soon to judge Seth Romero (2017) or high-schooler Mason Denaburg (2018), but they whiffed on Alex Meyer (2011) traded away Lucas Giolito (2012) and Dane Dunning (2016).WASHINGTON -- Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo is, at heart, a scout. He also covered the Milwaukee Brewers as a member of the credentialed media for four years. He went undrafted in the 2017 Major League Baseball draft and enrolled at the University of Arkansas to play college baseball for the Arkansas Razorbacks. Description: 2016-08-08, Area Code Games (Long Beach, CA). He generates an impressive spin rate with the pitch and it has developed into his best secondary offering.Since his season ended May 5, Rutledge has thrown for a “couple” of major league teams in preparation for the draft, he said.Copyright © 2020 Baseball Prospect Journal“It would be awesome. I think with what I’ve done so far, I’ve put myself in a good spot.”Jackson Rutledge isn’t shying away from the MLB draft attention. “He's a young 20-year-old kid and a guy that has a lot more finish to his game, but a guy who has a lot of skills and a skillset that we really go after with our starting pitchers.”“He’s got a great package as a starting pitcher,” Rizzo said. Following the 2019 MLB Draft in early June, I gathered sixteen prospect writers from across the industry for a six-round first year player draft. I’m still trying to focus on lifting and getting ready for the pro season or whatever I do,” said Rutledge, a Kentucky commit. Right now, it’d be a good experience to play baseball at Kentucky next year. As a freshman, Rutledge finished the year with a 3.45 ERA with 14 strikeouts and 11 walks in 15 2/3 innings.Rutledge has dominated opposing batters at the junior college level this season. His draft work originally appeared on The3rdManIn.com, a sports website he started in December 2011. Jackson Rutledge isn’t shying away from the MLB draft attention. Position: Pitcher Bats: Right • Throws: Right 6-8, 250lb (203cm, 113kg) . Rutledge was limited by a torn hip labrum to just 15 2/3 innings as a freshman and left off the Razorbacks' postseason roster. The 2019 MLB Draft offers the promise of the unknown and the hope allotted from a fresh, young nucleus of talent. By Carlos Collazo on May 1, 2019. It’s not a stretch to say he could have the best stuff in the Draft, and he’s certainly the best junior college prospect since Bryce Harper, a familiar name to Nats fans. Description: 2019-03-02, vs Wharton County Junior College (Bryan, TX). Description: 2019-03-02, vs Wharton County Junior College (Bryan, TX). Tags 2019 Draft Class 2019 MLB Draft Jackson Rutledge San Jacinto He’s emerged as the top junior college MLB draft prospect since Bryce Harper in 2010 and one of the best pitching prospects in at least two decades.Copyright © 2016 THE 3RD MAN IN. “I think the JUCO route doesn’t get as much credit as it deserves. He also covered the Milwaukee Brewers as a member of the credentialed media for four years. June 28, 2020: Washington Nationals invited non-roster RHP Jackson Rutledge to spring training. This is fantastic for a major league starter, but Rutledge is only 20 and theoretically could add strength and endurance as he develops. “I have to know myself and be able to look out for myself.