The Washington Nationals are set to give pitcher Riley Cornelio his first Major League Baseball opportunity during their upcoming series against the Chicago White Sox. Cornelio, a 2022 draft pick, has shown promising development in the minor leagues and impressed during spring training. His role with the team is currently uncertain, potentially as an opener or a reliever.
Following an offseason that saw the front office sign veterans to short-term deals, make waiver claims and add other pitchers through minor league contracts, it's clear the Nationals are lacking high-end arms at the MLB level.
But thankfully for them, they have options to choose from on their Triple-A roster. Nationals Set to Give Riley Cornelio His First Chance in The ShowCornelio was a seventh-round pick of Washington back in 2022. He was eligible for the Rule 5 draft this offseason, but the Nationals moved him to their 40-man roster to protect him from being selected. That was an indication the new regime was fond of the 26-year-old.
And after he threw well during spring training with just one earned run allowed across five innings pitched over two starts with seven strikeouts and no walks, it became clear that he was someone to While the roster move has not been made official just yet, Cornelio seems to be in line for his first career MLB appearance at some point during the upcoming three-game set against the Chicago White Sox. However, it's not clear exactly what his role is going to be with the big league squad.
Washington Nationals pitcher Riley Cornelio | Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images Cornelio has been impressive during his minor league career. Across 79 outings , he has posted a 4.36 ERA with 362 strikeouts and 177 walks in 371 1/3 innings pitched. But what makes the right-hander intriguing is that has has continued to improve the past two seasons, including the 2.45 ERA mark he has across four starts with Triple-A Rochester this year.
Based on how Washington has used him so far, adding him to the starting unit seems like what they would do. However, when it's been-- which is set to occur on Friday -- the Nationals have opted to use openers with a piggyback pitcher behind him. That's how they used Alvarez when he was recalled this past Sunday, and that might be how they deploy Cornelio.
No matter how the righty is used, though, this will be a debut worth watching. Cornelio has turned himself into one of the more intriguing arms Washington has in Triple-A. And with a good showing whenever he makes his appearance, he could be given more opportunities in The Show. Brad Wakai graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Journalism.
While an undergrad, he worked at the student radio station covering different Penn State athletic programs like football, basketball, volleyball, soccer and other sports. Brad became the Lead Contributor for Nittany Lions Wire of Gannett Media where he continued to cover Penn State athletics. Currently, Brad is the Publisher for Washington Nationals On SI and covers multiple teams across the On SI network.
He is the host of the sports podcast I Said What I Said, where he and his co-host discuss topics across the NFL, College Football, the NBA and other sports. You can follow him on Twitter: @bwakai
Washington Nationals Riley Cornelio MLB Pitcher Minor League Baseball
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Two Nationals Youngsters Make 'Prospect Team of the Week' With Dominant PerformancesTwo Washington Nationals prospects made the coveted 'Prospect Team of the Week' following dominant performances.
Read more »
Gwendoline Riley’s New Novel Surveys the Wreckage of Middle AgeLynn Steger Strong reviews the novel “The Palm House,” by the British author Gwendoline Riley.
Read more »
Cincinnati Bearcats Basketball Adds AAC Star Guard From Transfer PortalCincinnati Bearcats Basketball Adds AAC Star Guard Tylen Riley From Transfer Portal
Read more »
Nationals Stars James Wood and CJ Abrams Are on Pace to Make Franchise HistoryThe star duo of James Wood and CJ Abrams are on pace to make some Washington Nationals history.
Read more »
The 'Riley Gaines Women's Safety and Protection Act' passes Tenn. Senate floorThe 'Riley Gaines Women's Safety and Protection Act' has passed on the senate floor.
Read more »
Riley Gaines shares 5 wellness tips she swears by as a new mom: 'Really powerful'Fox News Channel offers its audiences in-depth news reporting, along with opinion and analysis encompassing the principles of free people, free markets and diversity of thought, as an alternative to the left-of-center offerings of the news marketplace.
Read more »