WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Nationals have not been able to advance in the postseason in four tries, let alone win a World Series.
But one of their former pitching prospects won his first World Series ring last season with the Houston Astros, who share a spring training facility here with Washington.
Brad Peacock, a native of Palm Beach who grew up in nearby Wellington, was drafted by the Nationals in the 41st round in 2006 out of Palm Beach Community College.
He came through the Washington minor league system and made his big league debut in three games with the Nationals in 2011. Peacock was traded to the Oakland A’s after that season in a deal that netted Washington left-hander Gio Gonzalez, who remains part of the rotation.
Peacock was then acquired by the Astros in February, 2013 in a deal with Oakland.
Last season, the right-hander was a key member of the Houston pitching staff. He was 13-2 with an ERA of 3.00 in 34 regular-season games, with 21 starts. Peacock then pitched in four games out of the bullpen with a 2.45 ERA as Houston won the World Series over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“It has been great, man,” Peacock told The Washington Times, standing in the Houston clubhouse on Thursday. “Real busy but it was all worth it. It is what you dream of as a little boy. It came true for all of us.”
Peacock didn’t start pitching regularly until his senior year at Palm Beach Central, about 11 miles southwest of the Nationals spring training complex they now share with Houston.
“I had a scout call me one day. I knew I had a good arm and I ended up getting drafted” out of high school, he said.
But Peacock didn’t sign out of high school and decided to attend community college as he was picked as a draft and follow by the Nationals. The Florida native is 24-19 with a 4.05 ERA in the majors in 94 games, with 67 starts.
The Nationals lost to the Astros 3-2 in the first spring training game for both teams here on Friday. Washington has won the National League East the past two seasons under former manager Dusty Baker, who has been replaced by Dave Martinez.
Peacock’s father, Jerry, was shown on TV during the 2017 postseason. His father has gone on the road for many of Peacock’s appearances in the majors.
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