Nats' 60-man player pool includes first-round picks Rutledge, Romero

The Nationals this afternoon announced their 60-man player pool for the 2020 season and it includes 2019 first-round pick Jackson Rutledge and 2017 top draft selection Seth Romero.

Of the 60 players in the pool, 22 are non-roster invitees. While some teams like the Astros (56) and Red Sox (47) have opted to not announced full 60-man player pools, the Nats have exactly 60 on their roster. Opening night is expected to be July 23 against the Yankees with spring training 2.0 presumably beginning Wednesday.

Rutledge started 10 games last season in the minors, going 2-0 with a 3.13 ERA. The left-handed Romero is finally healthy after missing all of 2019, and has 14 minor league starts to his credit. It is not likely they will pitch in a major league game this season, but will be available to pitch scrimmages and possibly make the three-man taxi squad.

Infielder Adrián Sanchez has been placed on the 60-day disabled list due to a torn Achilles, suffered two weeks ago. Sanchez's absence opens up a spot on the 40-man roster.

The 60-man player pool roster includes all of the regular starters expected back from last season.

Thirty-six pitchers are listed, including names some Nats fans may not be as familiar with, such as left-handers Tim Cate, Matt Cronin, Sam Freeman and Nick Wells and right-handers Joan Adon, Tyler Eppler, Paolo Espino, Steven Fuentes and Jake Irvin.

The Nats will carry six catchers: Yan Gomes, Kurt Suzuki, Tres Barrera, Welington Castillo, Raudy Read and Jakson Reetz.

The two top Nats prospects are in the player pool, infielders Carter Kieboom and Luis García. Also in the infield and eligible to play are Jake Noll and Brandon Snyder.

Among the outfielders are Yadiel Hernández, Andrew Stevenson and Emilio Bonífacio, along with Juan Soto, Victor Robles, Adam Eaton and Michael A. Taylor.

Here is the complete 60-man player pool:

PITCHERS (36)

LHP Fernando Abad
RHP Joan Adon
RHP Dakota Bacus
RHP Aaron Barrett
RHP James Bourque
LHP Ben Braymer
LHP Tim Cate
LHP Patrick Corbin
LHP Matt Cronin
RHP Wil Crowe
LHP Sean Doolittle
LHP Roenis Elías
RHP Tyler Eppler
RHP Paolo Espino
RHP Erick Fedde
RHP Kyle Finnegan
LHP Sam Freeman
RHP Steven Fuentes
RHP Javy Guerra
RHP Ryne Harper
RHP Will Harris
RHP Daniel Hudson
RHP Jake Irvin
RHP Kyle McGowin
RHP Kevin Quackenbush
RHP Tanner Rainey
LHP Seth Romero
RHP Joe Ross
RHP Jackson Rutledge
RHP Aníbal Sánchez
RHP Max Scherzer
RHP Stephen Strasburg
RHP Wander Suero
RHP Austin Voth
LHP Nick Wells
RHP Austen Williams

CATCHERS (6)

Tres Barrera
Welington Castillo
Yan Gomes
Raudy Read
Jakson Reetz
Kurt Suzuki

INFIELDERS (11)

Asdrúbal Cabrera
Starlin Castro
Wilmer Difo
Luis García
Howie Kendrick
Carter Kieboom
Jake Noll
Brandon Snyder
Eric Thames
Trea Turner
Ryan Zimmerman

OUTFIELDERS (7)

Emilio Bonífacio
Adam Eaton
Yadiel Hernández
Victor Robles
Juan Soto
Andrew Stevenson
Michael A. Taylor