Wednesday, October 28

Welcome to the latest edition of the Nationals Beat newsletter. This is your stop for the latest on and off the field, from news to exclusive player interviews and insights, brought to you by MLB.com club reporter Jessica Camerato.

PHILADELPHIA – Left-hander Will Dion had one thing on his mind when he woke up the morning of the Trade Deadline: taking a bus ride to Syracuse, N.Y., with his teammates on the Triple-A Columbus Clippers.

Not being traded.

“Zero shot,” Dion said. “Wouldn't even cross [my mind].” 

Yet the next day, Dion was reflecting in a different clubhouse, in a different uniform, with an opportunity to pitch in the Major Leagues for a different organization. 

“It’s been quite a few 24 hours,” he said.

Dion was one of four players acquired by the Nationals from the Guardians’ organization on Monday in the Foster Griffin deal. The Nats also received fellow left-hander Josh Hartle (now ranked as their No. 28 prospect), right-hander Kendeglys Virguez and outfielder Nick Mitchell. 

Dion, 26, was drafted by Cleveland in the ninth round of the 2021 Draft out of McNeese State. He envisioned his May 26 debut as being the first chapter in his Major League career with the Guardians. It turned out to be a glimpse into his future; Dion’s big league debut was against the Nationals. 

“My first batter was taller than me, James Wood,” the 5-foot-10 Dion said. “He was taller than me on the mound. That guy's a monster.” 

This season, Dion made 12 relief appearances at the Major League level (4.58 ERA, 19 2/3 innings) and another 21 in Triple-A (5-0, 3.62 ERA, 37 1/3 innings). There was an appeal to Dion’s complete résumé – he had made 87 starts in his first five seasons in pro ball, too.

“Early on, we’ll probably use him out of the bullpen – one to two innings,” said manager Blake Butera, who noted Dion also could be utilized as an opener. “But the thing that’s great about Will is he was a starter most of his career in the Minor Leagues. … [He said,] ‘I feel pretty comfortable being able to do whatever’s asked, because I’ve always pitched, whether a starter or length, up until this year.’ He’s able to provide whatever we need.”

Butera also understands what kind of pitcher the Nationals are getting with Dion on the mound. Like Butera, Dion is from Louisiana. Dion joked that their geographic similarity has them “bonded by blood.” Butera remembers Dion “shoved against us” when Butera was managing the High-A Charleston RiverDogs versus the Lynchburg Hillcats. 

“[Louisiana players] are very competitive,” Butera said. “... They're not really going to get rattled very often. I think it goes back to just how big baseball is, especially college baseball, in Louisiana. … I just don't think he's going to be afraid. That's what I saw a few years ago in the Minor Leagues, and that's what I saw when he pitched against us.” 

After Dion was told he was traded to the Nationals, he still had 4 1/2 hours left on his bus ride to Syracuse. Dion had time to say goodbye to his teammates, make phone calls to those close to him and even watch a movie. On Tuesday morning, he drove a rental car the four-hour scenic route to Philadelphia to meet his new team at Citizens Bank Park.

“They’ve made changes, I think, for the better,” said Dion. “This is an organization that's up and coming, and I think it’s going to be a good organization. They just keep getting better in every aspect, so I'm excited.”

The Nationals enhanced their Minor League system at the Trade Deadline, including four prospects who entered MLB Pipeline’s top 30 rankings for the organization. Here are the new additions: 

• No. 13 Jack Cebert, RHP, Double-A
• No. 25 Ben Grable, RHP, Double-A
• No. 28 Josh Hartle, LHP, Double-A
• No. 29 Yovanny Cruz, RHP, MLB

Cruz is on the Major League roster, Grable could be promoted to the big leagues this season, and Cebert and Hartle have 2027 ETAs.

Rookie Andrew Alvarez had never been on a Major League roster at the Trade Deadline. He was called up from Triple-A Rochester again to start against the Phillies on Monday. But before he took the field, he had to say goodbye to one of his veteran go-tos, fellow left-hander Griffin.

“It’s sad losing Foster,” Alvarez said. “He's been an awesome mentor to me, someone who I've looked up to a lot and I've picked his brain a lot. I feel like just watching him and talking in the dugout and everything that he's about, I've learned so much and incorporated it into my routine. [He is] just a great dude in general. He's been amazing to me.” 

Alvarez, who has pitched in 16 big league games this season, soaked up everything he could when he shared a clubhouse with the All-Star. On Monday night, Alvarez pitched a career-best 6 1/3 innings against the Phillies. 

“Foster always told me to watch their last 10 at-bats, so that’s something that I've incorporated,” Alvarez said. “... He tells me he doesn't have expectations as far as results go. It's all process-based. So I’m trying to get better at that, too.”

• Friday: Country Night*; Radford University Night*; Postgame Summer Concert Series -- Jordan Davis

• Saturday: Hawaiian shorts and shirt set giveaway (first 20,000 fans); Hello Kitty Night*

• Sunday: Kids lunchbox giveaway (ages 12 and under); Scout Day*

*Special ticket required

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