Jackson Rutledge

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #6 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  Track Record: The Nationals drafted Rutledge 17th overall in 2019, but his progression has been anything but smooth. He reached Low-A in his first pro summer before spending time at the alternate training site in 2020. In 2021, Rutledge dealt with a shoulder injury that sidelined him for a month, and when he returned he posted a 7.68 ERA in 36.1 innings. He responded with a breakout 2022 campaign in which he started 20 games and helped lead Low-A Fredericksburg to the Carolina League semifinals. The 2023 season was another step in the right direction for Rutledge, who pitched to a 3.71 ERA in 23 starts at Double-A and Triple-A before making his MLB debut on Sept. 13.
  
  Scouting Report: At 6-foot-8, Rutledge is an imposing figure on the mound. Both his four-seam and two-seam fastballs touch the upper 90s but sit closer to 95 mph. He gets good ride on his four-seamer up, but his command results in more of an above-average pitch. Rutledge’s low-80s slider is his go-to secondary pitch and generates the most swing-and-miss. He throws an average changeup that sits in the upper 80s but has touched 91 mph. One of the biggest changes Rutledge made to his approach was that he lengthened the arm action in his delivery. The automated ball-strike system and its tight strike zone at Triple-A elevated Rutledge’s walk rate to 13%. It was about half that in MLB.
  
  The Future: Rutledge has shown that he is willing to work and improve. The Nationals have been very impressed with how he has handled injuries and struggles throughout his career. He projects as a back-of-the-rotation starter and can impact the Nationals starting in 2024.
  
  Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #9 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Injuries and battling back are common themes in Rutledge's story. He started his career at Arkansas and suffered a torn hip labrum. He transferred to San Jacinto (Texas) JC in 2019, and the Nationals drafted him 17th overall that spring. Rutledge reached Low-A in his pro debut but suffered a setback at the alternate training site in 2020, with shoulder and blister issues limiting him. He pitched to a 7.68 ERA in 36.1 innings across three lower levels in 2021, adding concern to his ability to be consistent. He responded with a dominant 2022 season at Low-A Fredericksburg, striking out 99 in 97.1 innings. He ended the season on a high note by delivering eight shutout innings in Game 1 of the Carolina League semifinals.
  
  Scouting Report: At 6-foot-8, Rutledge can be an intimidating figure on the mound, and he has a fastball to match. He throws both four-seam and two-seam fastballs, with both versions of his heater sitting 94-95 mph and touching 97-98. His four-seam has modest carry, and he looks more like a sinker/slider pitcher after inducing ground balls about half the time in 2022. Rutledge's best secondary is an 82-87 mph slider that generated whiffs at a 47% clip and has earned plus grades. He also throws a firm changeup in the upper 80s. Previously a below-average strike-thrower, Rutledge walked just 6.9% of batters with Low-A Fredericksburg in 2022, though scouts wonder about timing issues that stem from a super compact arm action and his ability to sync up his release and foot strike.
  
  The Future: The Nationals were impressed with the improvements that Rutledge showed in 2022 and believe he still has a chance to be a back-of-the-rotation starter. Still, he has not pitched above High-A as he enters his age-24 season. The 2023 season will be more of a test.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70. Curveball: 50. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 50
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #9 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Leading with a fastball that touched triple digits, Rutledge was dominant in his one season at San Jacinto (Texas) JC, along the way becoming the rare junior college player to be named a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award. That performance was enough for the Nationals to draft him 17th overall in 2019. After an excellent debut season in 2019, Rutledge earned some time at the alternate training site in 2020, but he took a step back last season, thanks at least in part to shoulder tightness early in the season and recurring blisters later in the year.
  
  Scouting Report: Rutledge has a striking 6-foot-8, 245-pound frame on the mound and a mean fastball to match. The pitch is not only a high-90s offering that touches triple digits, but it features good cut and carry. His best secondary pitch is a slider that is at times a wipeout pitch. Currently, he’s working on learning how to manipulate his slider to better throw it in the strike zone and to give him a couple of different versions of the pitch. An average curveball and changeup give Rutledge a traditional starter’s repertoire, but concerns about consistency have made some wonder if his future is as a high-leverage reliever.
  
  The Future: As recently as 2020 instructional league, some rival evaluators saw Rutledge as not far off from Cade Cavalli in the prospect pecking order, but Cavalli continued to take off in 2021 while Rutledge faltered. Still, the latter’s stuff is some of the best in the system, and having a healthy 2022 season would go a long way toward getting him back on track.
  
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #2 prospect in 2021
  Fastball: 70. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Curveball: 50. Control: 50
  TRACK RECORD: The imposing, 6-foot-8 Rutledge hit 101 mph at San Jacinto (Texas) JC, where he became the fourth junior college player ever nominated as a Golden Spikes Award semifinalist. The Nationals drafted him 17th overall and signed him for $3.45 million. Rutledge then dominated hitters at three stops, culminating in the low Class A South Atlantic League in his pro debut. The Nationals brought him to their alternate training site in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Rutledge is an intimidating, aggressive pitcher with a high-90s fastball and a wipeout slider. Both are plus pitches that draw swings and misses, and he complements them with a curveball and changeup that are average, usable offerings. Rutledge stays tall on the mound and uses a compact arm action. The ball appears to come out of his shoulder and gets on hitters quickly with explosive life. He’s a decent athlete who improved in 2020 at slowing things down and pitching under control, helping him throw more strikes. Rutledge does a good job of holding baserunners. He prides himself on his craft and eagerly studies analytics.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rutledge benefited from facing more experienced hitters at the alternate site. He is part of the Nationals’ future rotation plans and may see the upper minors in 2021.
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #3 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Rutledge began his college career at Arkansas, but he barely pitched and suffered a season-ending hip injury before transferring to San Jacinto JC. He experienced a velocity bump after rehabbing, touching 101 mph, and became one of the top pitching prospects in the 2019 draft class. The Nationals drafted him No. 17 overall and signed for $3.45 million.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Though Rutledge is 6-foot-8, he has a short arm action and a shorter stride than expected. His arm action, reminiscent of former Nationals prospect Lucas Giolito, helps Rutledge maintain command of his 94-98 mph fastball. Rutledge also has good present secondary stuff, especially his plus slider. He's athletic for his size and is capable of throwing four above-average pitches, with his curveball and changeup showing above-average to plus. Rutledge is still honing in on his control and shows average strike-throwing potential, though he will occasionally get wild. He has shown an interest in analytics and takes a studious approach to his starts.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rutledge was dominant in his six low Class A starts, and his next test could be at high Class A Fredericksburg. His biggest task will be adapting to a five-day schedule.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #14 prospect in 2019 draft
  Rutledge entered the season as the second-ranked junior college prospect in the class after fellow righthander Carter Stewart because of his high school pedigree, tantalizing raw stuff and imposing, 6-foot-8, 260-pound frame. Out of high school, Rutledge had a solid, 90-93 mph fastball with impressive sinking life, but he needed to improve both his secondaires and overall control. Rutledge threw just 15.2 innings as a freshman at Arkansas before going down with a season-ending hip injury. Following the season, he decided to transfer to San Jacinto (Texas) JC and expected to enter the 2020 draft as a Kentucky commit. Those plans changed, however, when Rutledge came out this spring showing some of the best pure stuff of any pitcher in the country with improved control. Rutledge has regularly been into the upper 90s with his fastball, and he has held that velocity into the sixth and seventh innings of his starts throughout the season. In addition, he's shown a pair of plus breaking balls in both a slider and curveball. Previously, Rutledge threw a hybrid breaking ball that was more slurve-like, but after interning with Pro Pitching Performance last summer (while he rehabbed from injury) Rutledge worked to differentiate those pitches with Rapsodo feedback and now has two distinct, swing-and-miss breaking pitches. He also has a changeup that could be a fourth above-average offering. While he isn't facing the strongest competition, Rutledge struck out 123 batters through his first 12 starts and 77.2 innings (14.25 strikeouts per nine) this spring, with just 28 walks (3.25 walks per nine). Since his time in high school, Rutledge has significantly shortened his arm action. It's now a incredibly tight and compact delivery, to the point that some scouts wonder how he's able to generate and maintain his velocity. The upgrade in arm action has allowed him to improve his control, but scouts think he'll need to continue refining his command when he faces stiffer competition at the pro level. Regardless, his pure stuff and the deception he creates with his delivery should give him plenty of room for error as he climbs the ladder. Rutledge has the upside of a No. 2 starter, but he carries some reliever risk due to his size and history of control problems.
• Ranked #183 prospect in 2017 draft
  Rutledge--not related to Arkansas' freshman lefthander of the same name--is one of the biggest prep pitchers in the class at 6-foot-8, 240 pounds, and he uses his size to good effect, pounding the bottom of the strike zone with a 90-93 mph fastball with excellent sink and life. Last summer his slider seemed more a fantastical idea than an actual pitch, but he's sharpened it this spring. It's flashing average at best, and he has shown he can get some depth to its break. Rutledge's sinker gives him a reliable weapon, and his present physicality means he's more pro ready than most Missouri's high school stars. He's committed to join the other Jackson Rutledge at Arkansas.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Injuries and battling back are common themes in Rutledge's story. He started his career at Arkansas and suffered a torn hip labrum. He transferred to San Jacinto (Texas) JC in 2019, and the Nationals drafted him 17th overall that spring. Rutledge reached Low-A in his pro debut but suffered a setback at the alternate training site in 2020, with shoulder and blister issues limiting him. He pitched to a 7.68 ERA in 36.1 innings across three lower levels in 2021, adding concern to his ability to be consistent. He responded with a dominant 2022 season at Low-A Fredericksburg, striking out 99 in 97.1 innings. He ended the season on a high note by delivering eight shutout innings in Game 1 of the Carolina League semifinals.
  
  Scouting Report: At 6-foot-8, Rutledge can be an intimidating figure on the mound, and he has a fastball to match. He throws both four-seam and two-seam fastballs, with both versions of his heater sitting 94-95 mph and touching 97-98. His four-seam has modest carry, and he looks more like a sinker/slider pitcher after inducing ground balls about half the time in 2022. Rutledge's best secondary is an 82-87 mph slider that generated whiffs at a 47% clip and has earned plus grades. He also throws a firm changeup in the upper 80s. Previously a below-average strike-thrower, Rutledge walked just 6.9% of batters with Low-A Fredericksburg in 2022, though scouts wonder about timing issues that stem from a super compact arm action and his ability to sync up his release and foot strike.
  
  The Future: The Nationals were impressed with the improvements that Rutledge showed in 2022 and believe he still has a chance to be a back-of-the-rotation starter. Still, he has not pitched above High-A as he enters his age-24 season. The 2023 season will be more of a test.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70. Curveball: 50. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 50
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Injuries and battling back are common themes in Rutledge's story. He started his career at Arkansas and suffered a torn hip labrum. He transferred to San Jacinto (Texas) JC in 2019, and the Nationals drafted him 17th overall that spring. Rutledge reached Low-A in his pro debut but suffered a setback at the alternate training site in 2020, with shoulder and blister issues limiting him. He pitched to a 7.68 ERA in 36.1 innings across three lower levels in 2021, adding concern to his ability to be consistent. He responded with a dominant 2022 season at Low-A Fredericksburg, striking out 99 in 97.1 innings. He ended the season on a high note by delivering eight shutout innings in Game 1 of the Carolina League semifinals.
  
  Scouting Report: At 6-foot-8, Rutledge can be an intimidating figure on the mound, and he has a fastball to match. He throws both four-seam and two-seam fastballs, with both versions of his heater sitting 94-95 mph and touching 97-98. His four-seam has modest carry, and he looks more like a sinker/slider pitcher after inducing ground balls about half the time in 2022. Rutledge's best secondary is an 82-87 mph slider that generated whiffs at a 47% clip and has earned plus grades. He also throws a firm changeup in the upper 80s. Previously a below-average strike-thrower, Rutledge walked just 6.9% of batters with Low-A Fredericksburg in 2022, though scouts wonder about timing issues that stem from a super compact arm action and his ability to sync up his release and foot strike.
  
  The Future: The Nationals were impressed with the improvements that Rutledge showed in 2022 and believe he still has a chance to be a back-of-the-rotation starter. Still, he has not pitched above High-A as he enters his age-24 season. The 2023 season will be more of a test.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70. Curveball: 50. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 50
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 50/Very High
  
  Track Record: Leading with a fastball that touched triple digits, Rutledge was dominant in his one season at San Jacinto, along the way becoming the rare junior college player to be named a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award. That performance was enough for the Nationals to draft him 17th overall in 2019. After an excellent debut season in 2019, Rutledge earned some time at the alternate training site in 2020, but he took a step back last season, thanks at least in part to shoulder tightness early in the season and recurring blisters later in the year.
  
  Scouting Report: Rutledge has a striking 6-foot-8, 245-pound frame on the mound and a mean fastball to match. The pitch is not only a high-90s offering that touches triple digits, but it features good cut and carry. His best secondary pitch is a slider that is at times a wipeout pitch. Currently, he&#39s working on learning how to manipulate his slider to better throw it in the strike zone and to give him a couple of different versions of the pitch. An average curveball and changeup give Rutledge a traditional starter&#39s repertoire, but concerns about consistency have made some wonder if his future is as a high-leverage reliever.
  
  The Future: As recently as 2020 instructional league, some rival evaluators saw Rutledge as not far off from Cade Cavalli in the prospect pecking order, but Cavalli continued to take off in 2021 while Rutledge faltered. Still, the latter&#39s stuff is some of the best in the system, and having a healthy 2022 season would go a long way toward getting him back on track.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70. Curveball: 50. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 45.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Leading with a fastball that touched triple digits, Rutledge was dominant in his one season at San Jacinto (Texas) JC, along the way becoming the rare junior college player to be named a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award. That performance was enough for the Nationals to draft him 17th overall in 2019. After an excellent debut season in 2019, Rutledge earned some time at the alternate training site in 2020, but he took a step back last season, thanks at least in part to shoulder tightness early in the season and recurring blisters later in the year.
  
  Scouting Report: Rutledge has a striking 6-foot-8, 245-pound frame on the mound and a mean fastball to match. The pitch is not only a high-90s offering that touches triple digits, but it features good cut and carry. His best secondary pitch is a slider that is at times a wipeout pitch. Currently, he’s working on learning how to manipulate his slider to better throw it in the strike zone and to give him a couple of different versions of the pitch. An average curveball and changeup give Rutledge a traditional starter’s repertoire, but concerns about consistency have made some wonder if his future is as a high-leverage reliever.
  
  The Future: As recently as 2020 instructional league, some rival evaluators saw Rutledge as not far off from Cade Cavalli in the prospect pecking order, but Cavalli continued to take off in 2021 while Rutledge faltered. Still, the latter’s stuff is some of the best in the system, and having a healthy 2022 season would go a long way toward getting him back on track.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 70. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Curveball: 50. Control: 50
  TRACK RECORD: The imposing, 6-foot-8 Rutledge hit 101 mph at San Jacinto (Texas) JC, where he became the fourth junior college player ever nominated as a Golden Spikes Award semifinalist. The Nationals drafted him 17th overall and signed him for $3.45 million. Rutledge then dominated hitters at three stops, culminating in the low Class A South Atlantic League in his pro debut. The Nationals brought him to their alternate training site in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Rutledge is an intimidating, aggressive pitcher with a high-90s fastball and a wipeout slider. Both are plus pitches that draw swings and misses, and he complements them with a curveball and changeup that are average, usable offerings. Rutledge stays tall on the mound and uses a compact arm action. The ball appears to come out of his shoulder and gets on hitters quickly with explosive life. He's a decent athlete who improved in 2020 at slowing things down and pitching under control, helping him throw more strikes. Rutledge does a good job of holding baserunners. He prides himself on his craft and eagerly studies analytics.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rutledge benefited from facing more experienced hitters at the alternate site. He is part of the Nationals' future rotation plans and may see the upper minors in 2021.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 70. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Curveball: 50. Control: 50
  TRACK RECORD: The imposing, 6-foot-8 Rutledge hit 101 mph at San Jacinto (Texas) JC, where he became the fourth junior college player ever nominated as a Golden Spikes Award semifinalist. The Nationals drafted him 17th overall and signed him for $3.45 million. Rutledge then dominated hitters at three stops, culminating in the low Class A South Atlantic League in his pro debut. The Nationals brought him to their alternate training site in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Rutledge is an intimidating, aggressive pitcher with a high-90s fastball and a wipeout slider. Both are plus pitches that draw swings and misses, and he complements them with a curveball and changeup that are average, usable offerings. Rutledge stays tall on the mound and uses a compact arm action. The ball appears to come out of his shoulder and gets on hitters quickly with explosive life. He’s a decent athlete who improved in 2020 at slowing things down and pitching under control, helping him throw more strikes. Rutledge does a good job of holding baserunners. He prides himself on his craft and eagerly studies analytics.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rutledge benefited from facing more experienced hitters at the alternate site. He is part of the Nationals’ future rotation plans and may see the upper minors in 2021.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 70. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Curveball: 50. Control: 50
  TRACK RECORD: The imposing, 6-foot-8 Rutledge hit 101 mph at San Jacinto (Texas) JC, where he became the fourth junior college player ever nominated as a Golden Spikes Award semifinalist. The Nationals drafted him 17th overall and signed him for $3.45 million. Rutledge then dominated hitters at three stops, culminating in the low Class A South Atlantic League in his pro debut. The Nationals brought him to their alternate training site in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Rutledge is an intimidating, aggressive pitcher with a high-90s fastball and a wipeout slider. Both are plus pitches that draw swings and misses, and he complements them with a curveball and changeup that are average, usable offerings. Rutledge stays tall on the mound and uses a compact arm action. The ball appears to come out of his shoulder and gets on hitters quickly with explosive life. He’s a decent athlete who improved in 2020 at slowing things down and pitching under control, helping him throw more strikes. Rutledge does a good job of holding baserunners. He prides himself on his craft and eagerly studies analytics.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rutledge benefited from facing more experienced hitters at the alternate site. He is part of the Nationals’ future rotation plans and may see the upper minors in 2021.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Rutledge began his college career at Arkansas, but he barely pitched and suffered a season-ending hip injury before transferring to San Jacinto JC. He experienced a velocity bump after rehabbing, touching 101 mph, and became one of the top pitching prospects in the 2019 draft class. The Nationals drafted him No. 17 overall and signed for $3.45 million.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Though Rutledge is 6-foot-8, he has a short arm action and a shorter stride than expected. His arm action, reminiscent of former Nationals prospect Lucas Giolito, helps Rutledge maintain command of his 94-98 mph fastball. Rutledge also has good present secondary stuff, especially his plus slider. He’s athletic for his size and is capable of throwing four above-average pitches, with his curveball and changeup showing above-average to plus. Rutledge is still honing in on his control and shows average strike-throwing potential, though he will occasionally get wild. He has shown an interest in analytics and takes a studious approach to his starts.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rutledge was dominant in his six low Class A starts, and his next test could be at high Class A Fredericksburg. His biggest task will be adapting to a five-day schedule.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Rutledge began his college career at Arkansas, but he barely pitched and suffered a season-ending hip injury before transferring to San Jacinto JC. He experienced a velocity bump after rehabbing, touching 101 mph, and became one of the top pitching prospects in the 2019 draft class. The Nationals drafted him No. 17 overall and signed for $3.45 million.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Though Rutledge is 6-foot-8, he has a short arm action and a shorter stride than expected. His arm action, reminiscent of former Nationals prospect Lucas Giolito, helps Rutledge maintain command of his 94-98 mph fastball. Rutledge also has good present secondary stuff, especially his plus slider. He's athletic for his size and is capable of throwing four above-average pitches, with his curveball and changeup showing above-average to plus. Rutledge is still honing in on his control and shows average strike-throwing potential, though he will occasionally get wild. He has shown an interest in analytics and takes a studious approach to his starts.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rutledge was dominant in his six low Class A starts, and his next test could be at high Class A Fredericksburg. His biggest task will be adapting to a five-day schedule.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Rutledge entered the season as the second-ranked junior college prospect in the class after fellow righthander Carter Stewart because of his high school pedigree, tantalizing raw stuff and imposing, 6-foot-8, 260-pound frame. Out of high school, Rutledge had a solid, 90-93 mph fastball with impressive sinking life, but he needed to improve both his secondaires and overall control. Rutledge threw just 15.2 innings as a freshman at Arkansas before going down with a season-ending hip injury. Following the season, he decided to transfer to San Jacinto (Texas) JC and expected to enter the 2020 draft as a Kentucky commit. Those plans changed, however, when Rutledge came out this spring showing some of the best pure stuff of any pitcher in the country with improved control. Rutledge has regularly been into the upper 90s with his fastball, and he has held that velocity into the sixth and seventh innings of his starts throughout the season. In addition, he's shown a pair of plus breaking balls in both a slider and curveball. Previously, Rutledge threw a hybrid breaking ball that was more slurve-like, but after interning with Pro Pitching Performance last summer (while he rehabbed from injury) Rutledge worked to differentiate those pitches with Rapsodo feedback and now has two distinct, swing-and-miss breaking pitches. He also has a changeup that could be a fourth above-average offering. While he isn't facing the strongest competition, Rutledge struck out 123 batters through his first 12 starts and 77.2 innings (14.25 strikeouts per nine) this spring, with just 28 walks (3.25 walks per nine). Since his time in high school, Rutledge has significantly shortened his arm action. It's now a incredibly tight and compact delivery, to the point that some scouts wonder how he's able to generate and maintain his velocity. The upgrade in arm action has allowed him to improve his control, but scouts think he'll need to continue refining his command when he faces stiffer competition at the pro level. Regardless, his pure stuff and the deception he creates with his delivery should give him plenty of room for error as he climbs the ladder. Rutledge has the upside of a No. 2 starter, but he carries some reliever risk due to his size and history of control problems.