FREDERICK — Nearly an hour after the game, Lucas Giolito emerged from the visiting clubhouse wearing red socks and flip flops, his right arm wrapped in ice to the shoulder.
A small cluster of fans had been waiting outside. Some clutched team photographs and baseballs, collecting autographs from every Potomac Nationals player that walked by. Others only wanted an autograph from Giolito. They knew he would sign. He always does.
Giolito has been in the spotlight for much of his life, so this part of the job comes naturally to him. At just 20 years old, he is considered the No. 1 prospect in the Washington Nationals’ minor-league system and one of the best pitching prospects in baseball. On Wednesday night, he showed why.
The 6-foot-6 right-hander put together the best start of his professional career against the Frederick Keys, allowing no hits over seven innings. He twice hit the same batter, Chance Sisco, issued one walk and struck out seven, commanding his mid-90s fastball with ease in all corners of the zone. It was among the longest outings of his minor-league career — and the most dominant.
“It definitely ranks up there,” Giolito said. “The consistent fastball, low in the zone, good command inside to outside today is something that I’ve been striving for for a while, so to have that going today, it felt really good, and I think it’s something to build off of.”
Giolito and reliever Aaron Barrett, who pitched the first inning as part of a minor-league rehabilitation assignment, nearly combined to throw a no-hitter. But in the ninth, with Giolito at 84 pitches, manager Tripp Keister inserted Manny Rodriguez, who allowed a one-out single to end the bid.
SEE ALSO: Nationals’ Aaron Barrett pitches scoreless inning for Potomac in rehabilitation stint
Leaving the game was frustrating, Giolito said, but he understands that it is part of his development. His previous two starts had been shortened by rain and a high pitch count, leaving him underprepared for an extended outing. And because Giolito is less than three years removed from Tommy John surgery, he is usually not allowed to throw more than 90 pitches per start.
“It’s just part of the process, especially because I had surgery,” Giolito said. “I’m only 20. I’d like to get most of my innings in the big leagues rather than here.”
Giolito has not allowed an earned run in 16 consecutive innings, a streak that dates to June 12. During that time, Keister has seen a change in Giolito’s preparation.
“The one thing that I’ve noticed about him in the last month is his work between [starts],” Keister said. “It’s not just on the fifth day, when he pitches, it’s all the work leading up to that. He’s really made that important, and I really like where he is right now from that standpoint.”
On July 12, Giolito and shortstop Trea Turner, recently promoted to Triple-A Syracuse, will represent the Nationals organization at the Futures Game, an exhibition for top prospects during the league’s all-star festivities. It’s the second consecutive year in which Giolito has been selected to the game.
“It’s like I’m a Futures Game veteran,” he said with a grin.
In due time, Giolito will be playing in major-league stadiums on a regular basis. After lingering in the dugout Wednesday night to watch the 20-year-old pitch, Barrett does not believe he’s far away.
“He’s a special talent,” Barrett said. “The way that he gets on top of the ball with his height, you can just see the tilt. And then he throws his breaking ball on top of it. Not to mention the stuff, plus-plus stuff. … I’m definitely impressed. I think he’s definitely going to be a big arm for us in the future.”
When exactly that future will arrive is unclear. Giolito hopes it’s soon. When asked about his individual goals for the next few years, his answer was both nuanced and blunt.
“I’d like to be in the big leagues as soon as possible,” Giolito said. “I feel like I’m getting closer and closer to being ready for that, but a lot of that’s out of my hands. The organization makes decisions. I’m only 20 years old still, so that’s just part of the process. I have a lot to learn as a pitcher. I don’t think any pitcher can ever say they’ve mastered the craft, and I’m not even close to that. I feel like there’s a lot of stuff to work on, and that’s what I’m here for.”
• Tom Schad can be reached at tschad@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.