Unlikely addition Machado made positive impression

PLAYER REVIEW: ANDRES MACHADO

Age on opening day 2022: 28

How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent, February 2021

MLB service time: 120 days

2021 salary: $570,500

Contract status: Under team control, possibly arbitration-eligible in 2024, free agent in 2028

2021 stats: 1-2, 3.53 ERA, 40 G, 35 2/3 IP, 30 H, 17 R, 14 ER, 4 HR, 15 BB, 30 SO, 5 HBP, 1.262 WHIP, 116 ERA+, 4.63 FIP, 0.0 fWAR, 0.2 bWAR

Quotable: "I've been watching him and using him in different situations. He gets the ball and gets on the mound and attacks the strike zone. And I love it. He's been big for us. It doesn't matter what situation I put him in, he seems to be poised and he just tries to get outs." - manager Davey Martinez

2021 analysis: Andres Machado spent the better part of a decade languishing in the Royals farm system, first as a failed starter in rookie ball, Single-A and Double-A, then finally enjoying some success as a Triple-A reliever in 2019. The right-hander earned one very brief promotion to Kansas City in 2017, but was blasted for nine runs and 10 hits in 3 2/3 innings and never made it back.

After becoming a free agent, Machado found himself without a job last winter, pitching instead for his native Venezuelan national team as it attempted to qualify for the Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Also working out with that club was Aníbal Sánchez, who put in a good word for his young countryman with the Nationals team that employed him the previous two years. So it was that Machado found himself signing a minor league contract and pitching at Triple-A Rochester, where he impressed with a sub-2.00 ERA.

Needing a fresh reliever for a June 12 doubleheader against the Giants, the Nats called Machado up for the day, though he didn't pitch. But he got another shot later in the month and wound up spending the rest of the season in the big leagues. In 40 appearances, he recorded 11 holds, and by season's end was one of Martinez's more trusted setup men.

2022 outlook: At an even 6 feet and 220 lbs., Machado isn't a physically intimidating presence on the mound. But he throws a 95 mph fastball, and more importantly, he pitches with confidence. That endeared him to his manager, who seems to believe he's got a future in this bullpen.

Like so many other inexperienced relievers in the organization, Machado isn't assured of anything entering spring training. He'll need to earn a spot on the opening day roster. But the club got a fairly decent sample of work this year to evaluate him on, and for the most part the reviews were positive.

Machado still uses a starter's repertoire, throwing his four-seam fastball 55.7 percent of the time to go along with his slider (19.3 percent), sinker (15 percent) and changeup (10 percent). The slider was far and away his most effective pitch this season, with opponents batting just .156 and slugging just .250 off it. His sinker, which was hit at a healthy .308 clip, still needs some work.

Machado has little big league experience, but he's been a professional pitcher for more than a decade now. He's finally getting a real opportunity to make it in the majors, and the Nationals hope he makes the most of it.