What To Expect: Erick Fedde
When ace righthander Stephen Strasburg left his last start with an injury, it was clear that the Nationals were probably to going to need someone to take his place in the rotation, whether it was in the long-term or short-term. Strasburg was diagnosed on Wednesday with a nerve impingement in his elbow, which is one of the better scenarios for which the Nationals could have hoped.
In his place, the team summoned righthander Erick Fedde, the system’s top pitching prospect and No. 70 overall according to our Midseason Top 100 Prospects list. The New York Post’s Joel Sherman first reported that Fedde, Washington’s first-round pick in 2014 out of UNLV, was getting the call to replace Strasburg.
The Nationals toyed with the idea of using Fedde to alleviate some of their bullpen woes earlier in the season, but ultimately shifted him back to the rotation.
SCOUTING REPORT
While Fedde would certainly have been a weapon out of the bullpen, he’s obviously more valuable if he can succeed as a member of the rotation.
After six relief appearances to kick off his time with Triple-A Syracuse, Fedde opened his return to the rotation with a disastrous start (six earned runs allowed without recording an out) but has followed it up with three consecutive strong outings.
As a reliever, the 24-year-old was regularly working in the upper 90s with his heavy fastball. As a member of the rotation, the pitch drops a tick into the low 90s. His fastball was working particularly well in his last start, when he got 10 groundouts against just one flyout over five, tw0-run innings against Louisville.
Fedde complements his fastball with a slider that is average now but projects as plus in the future, as well as an average changeup that he’ll need to thrive in a starter’s role. Even with the disaster start thrown in, Fedde has still struck out 15 hitters against three walks in Syracuse, and has 66 punchouts against 21 walks overall this season.
WHAT TO EXPECT
It’s unclear how much time Strasburg will miss (he hasn’t been placed on the disabled list), so Fedde’s time with the Nationals could be brief. When he does get to the majors for good, he has the ceiling of No. 3 starter. The Nationals are coasting toward the postseason, and it’s important that Strasburg be at full strength in October. Fedde’s development this year should give the Nats all the time they need to make sure he’s ready.
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