Top prospect Lucas Giolito invited to spring training

Last season, the Nationals starting rotation received a boost when 22-year-old right-hander Joe Ross made the jump from Double-A Harrisburg to majors. After an impressive rookie campaign - going 5-5 with a 3.79 ERA in 13 starts - Ross is expected to find a permanent spot in the starting five in 2016.

Now the countdown is on to Lucas Giolito's major league debut. The 21-year-old right-hander is ranked as the best pitching prospect in baseball. The Nationals drafted the 6-foot-6, 255-lb. pound Giolito as a 17-year-old out of high school with the 16th overall pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft. Shortly after, Giolito underwent Tommy John surgery and the Nationals have been careful with his development since.

Giolito posted a 10-2 record with a 2.20 ERA in 20 starts during his first full season at low Single-A Hagerstown in 2014. Last year, the Nationals placed Giolito at Single-A Potomac where he went 3-5 with a 2.71 ERA and 86 strikeouts over 86 2/3 innings.

Giolito was named the Team USA starter for the All-Star Futures Game in Cincinnati on July 12, striking out one over two scoreless innings. Thirteen days later, the Nationals promoted Giolito to Double-A Harrisburg, where he finished the season 4-2 with a 3.80 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 47 1/3 innings over eight starts.

Speaking on Saturday at Winterfest, general manager Mike Rizzo laid out the upcoming plan for Giolito, who will come to major league spring training as a non-roster player.

"He's going to come to the major league camp and be in his first major league spring training," Rizzo said. "We're going to, obviously, be a caretaker to his workload and his innings. We expect big things from Lucas Giolito, not only in 2016 but down the road also."

Stephen Strasburg knows everything about being the best pitching prospect in baseball. He was stoked learning that Giolito will join him on the major league side of camp in Viera, Fla., for the first time. Because of the spring training schedules and field proximities, Strasburg has only seen Giolito on tape, but not live. However, Strasburg's father spends time over at the minor league side speaking with Lucas' father, Rick.
 
"I met him a few times," Strasburg said. "He seems like a really good kid. I'm excited to see where he's at."

Less than two years older than Giolito, Bryce Harper surely has experienced being baseball's best prospect. On Sunday, Harper added to the Giolito hype. Like many fans, he's eager to see the much-publicized 100 mph and filthy curve featured from the imposing right-hander at Nationals Park.

"Giolito throws a billion miles an hour," Harper said. "Whatever they want to do with him. I'd like to have him on our staff."