Nats announce prospects roster for Futures Game

The Nationals arrived back in D.C. last night and now only have one more exhibition game to play before heading to Cincinnati for Opening Day.

Once again, the Nats are hosting their exhibition finale on their home field on South Capitol Street. But for the first time, they are not playing another major league team set to open the regular season on the East Coast. Instead, the Nats’ regular big leaguers will play against a squad of the organization’s top prospects.

Headlined by Dylan Crews, James Wood, Brady House, Robert Hassell III and Trey Lipscomb, the Nationals announced the prospects roster for tomorrow’s “On Deck: Nationals Futures Game” at Nationals Park:

Pitchers – Brendan Collins, DJ Herz, Joe La Sorsa, Orlando Ribalta, Jackson Rutledge, Tyler Schoff, Jarlin Susana, Amos Willingham

Catchers – Drew Millas, Israel Pineda, Maxwell Romero Jr.

Infielders – Darren Baker, Armando Cruz, Brady House, Trey Lipscomb, Kevin Made, Yohandy Morales, T.J. White

Outfielders – Dylan Crews, Elijah Green, Robert Hassell III, Daylen Lile, Andrew Pinckney, Cristhian Vaquero, James Wood

The roster includes 18 players ranked in both MLB Pipeline and Baseball America’s top 30 Nats prospects list.

Lipscomb is the only prospect still technically in Nationals camp competing for a spot on the major league roster. And just because he’s on the prospects roster, that doesn’t mean he’s no longer in the running for a spot on the Opening Day roster. That won’t be finalized until Thursday morning, so tomorrow’s game will be Lipscomb’s last chance to make an impression on the Nationals brass and break camp with the big league team.

The reigning Nats’ minor league Defensive Player of the Year and minor league Gold Glove Award winner at third base, Lipscomb, 23, hit .400 with a .995 OPS, two doubles, a triple, a home run, seven RBIs, five walks, seven strikeouts and one stolen base in 21 Grapefruit League games. He made 13 appearances at second base, four at third base and six at shortstop while committing only one total error in the field.

Hassell and Lile have been dealing with injuries in camp, so their availability in tomorrow’s game is still in question.

Rutledge is expected to be the starting pitcher, going head-to-head against MacKenzie Gore for his last tune-up before starting the Nats’ home opener a week from today against the Pirates.

The Futures Team will be led by:

Manager – Delino DeShields (Double-A Harrisburg)

Bench Coach – Oscar Salazar (Double-A Harrisburg)

Pitching Coach – Rigo Beltran (Double-A Harrisburg)

Hitting Coach – Jeff Livesey (Double-A Harrisburg)

First Base Coach – Jake Lowery (Single-A Fredericksburg Manager)

Third Base Coach – Mario Lisson (High-A Wilmington Manager)

Bullpen Coach – Justin Lord (Single-A Fredericksburg Pitching Coach)

All players who participate in tomorrow’s game – both big league and minor league – will also attend the club’s annual Homecoming Gala that evening at The Anthem on the Southwest waterfront.

Tickets are still available for purchase to attend the game at Nationals Park. The Futures Game will also be broadcast live on MASN and 106.7 The Fan at noon.