Nationals Prospects: Cade Cavalli is putting struggling Nats starters on notice

Cade Cavalli threw a gem in Rochester today, and the struggling duo at the back of the Washington Nationals rotation should be worried

After making his first MLB start in 2022, the journey to make that second big league start has been a long one for Cade Cavalli. He has had to battle through Tommy John Recovery, illness and arm setbacks along the way. Now, he finally looks like he is ready for that second MLB start.

Cade has his best start of the season in Rochester this morning. Cavalli threw five scoreless innings, striking out 10 and walking just one. He retired 15 of the last 16 batters he faced. It looked like the dynamic Cade Cavalli we saw before Tommy John.

If this start is anything to go off of, Cavalli is an immediate upgrade over Mitchell Parker and Trevor Williams. In Cavalli’s last three starts, he has gone 14 innings, while allowing two runs and striking out 23. That is pure domination.

I have had my concerns with Cavalli and have suggested moving him to a bullpen role due to his age and injury questions. However, he finally looks like himself again and is starting to build up that pitch count.

I think the Nationals need to call up Cavalli soon. He is already 26 and turns 27 in August, so the Nationals do not have a ton of time to waste. Cavalli also already looks better than the struggling duo of Trevor Williams and Mitchell Parker.

With how much money the Nats are paying Williams, Parker seems like he could be the odd man out. He has a 7.94 ERA in five May starts and has really collapsed after his brilliant first five starts. After his start on April 22nd, Parker had an ERA of 1.39, now his season ERA is up to 4.65.

However, if it were up to me, I would move Williams to the bullpen. Unlike Parker, Williams has struggled all season long. His ERA sits at 6.39 and he is averaging under five innings per start. Williams is not giving the Nats quality or depth right now. Those 13 starts last year are beginning to look like an outlier.

However, Williams has had a lot of success in the past as a swing man, particularly with the Mets. In his Mets tenure, Williams made 40 appearances, with 12 of those being starts. Williams had a ton of success in that role. He posted a 3.17 ERA in 122 innings as a Met. This is what the Nationals need to do to get the best out of Williams.

Another nice point is that Williams and Cavalli are both pitching on the same day. You could just put Cavalli in the Williams spot very easily. I would much prefer to watch Cade Cavalli’s 97 MPH fastball’s than Trevor Williams 87 MPH heaters.

Cade Cavalli proved today that he is ready to go. He can replace Parker or Williams, either would be an upgrade. Outside of MacKenzie Gore, the Nationals starters do not have electric stuff. Cavalli would change that. He has a mid to upper 90’s fastball, a wipe out curveball, a hard slider and a changeup that can be plus at time. It is time for him to show that off in the Washington Nationals rotation.