Nationals Notebook: Cavalli Shuts Down Phillies, Riley Adams

Cavalli was the Nationals’ first-round selection in the 2020 MLB Draft, but had only pitched 13.2 innings in the major leagues entering Saturday. He debuted in 2022 for just one start, but tore his UCL and underwent Tommy John surgery in March of 2023.

Cavalli hadn’t returned to the majors until just a couple of weeks ago, where he had allowed four earned runs over 9.1 innings in two starts. On Saturday, Cavalli proved that he has put the procedure behind him and is ready to contribute.

It was clear at the start of Saturday’s game that Cavalli was throwing the ball well. After a leadoff double for Turner, Cavalli bounced back to strike out Schwarber, Harper, and J.T. Realmuto.

For a player thought to have command issues, it was also encouraging that he did not walk a single batter in this outing.

“I’m so proud, I’m so happy for him,” Cairo said. “For so long, other injuries [kept him out] and to perform against that team like that is amazing.”

Entering Saturday’s start, Cavalli was already starting to look like a pitcher on the verge of a breakout. Cavalli’s three most frequently thrown pitches grade as well above average, according to Stuff+: the four-seamer (119), knuckle-curve (143), and sinker (142).

Cavalli’s four-seam fastball touched 99.7 mph in his outing on Saturday, and the knuckle-curve was excellent at keeping the opposition lunging.

“He was great,” said Cavalli’s teammate, outfielder James Wood. “He was getting swing-and-miss on the fastball, getting chase on the curveball. When you have two pitches as good as he has like that, he can be like that on any given day.”

Given the state of the Nationals’ rotation and the trajectory of their season, there’s no question that Cavalli will get to start every fifth day for the foreseeable future.

Riley Adams: Nationals’ Cleanup Hitter

With the Nats’ usual everyday catcher, Keibert Ruiz, out for the past month with a concussion, a lot of opportunities for the 29-year-old Riley Adams have emerged. For Saturday’s contest, Cairo penciled him into the cleanup spot in the lineup – a surprise to some.

Adams has a career 84 wRC+ in 747 plate appearances over parts of five major league seasons. That may not scream major league cleanup hitter, but his 6’4”, 263-pound frame generates an elite bat speed of 78 mph. 

“He’s got power, and besides that he’s been getting good at-bats, taking walks, taking the count to 3-2,” Cairo explained. “He’s been one of the more consistent hitters lately in the lineup.”

While the season-long statistics may not reflect that impact, Adams has been a key contributor lately. He’s slashing .324/.405/.495 over the month of August.

On Saturday, Adams laced a 110.1-mph single off the left field wall in his first at-bat. It was hit so hard that he couldn’t even leg it out into a double. Even though Adams was retired on the other two balls he put in play, both were still hard-hit.

“He’s more relaxed [recently]. He’s not trying to do too much,” Cairo said. “When you [Adams] know that you’re going to be in there the next day, it gives you a little more sense of confidence.”

Adams’ role as everyday catcher should continue for a while longer, as Ruiz has yet to return to catching. To stay active, his manager enlisted him to take some ground balls at first base on Friday.

“He’s moving around, moving his feet, it was good cardio for me and him,” Cairo quipped. “He’s feeling better, and I’m glad that he’s here and doing stuff.”

Cairo was sure to say that Ruiz is still solely a catcher, and that the grounders that he took at first were strictly to get him back on the practice field.