Nationals agree to terms with 9 undrafted FAs

July 1st, 2020

After agreeing to terms with all six of their 2020 MLB Draft picks last week, the Nationals added to their prospect pool by agreeing to terms with nine non-drafted free agents on Wednesday.

Following the shortened Draft, general manager Mike Rizzo said, “We have the freedom to sign all the players we want that we like, and we’re going to be very aggressive to do it.”

The Nats cast a wide net in this group of nine, with two pitchers, a catcher, four infielders and two outfielders. Teams can sign NDFAs at a bonus of up to $20,000 per player.

Zach Brzykcy, RHP, Virginia Tech
Brzykcy pitched in seven games out of the bullpen and earned one save as a junior in 2020. He fanned eight over six innings with a 9.00 ERA, retiring nine consecutive batters during one stretch. He was ranked No. 180 in MLB Pipeline's Top 200 prospects list.

Zach Cornell, OF, Southeastern University
Cornell concluded his college career by hitting .519 with 10 home runs, 44 RBIs, 12 doubles, two triples and 43 runs his senior year. After playing three seasons at Middle Georgia State University, he transferred to Southeastern and was named Baseball America’s 2020 Preseason NAIA Player of the Year.

Jackson Coutts, 1B/OF, Rhode Island
Coutts was in the midst of a heavy-hitting junior year when the season was halted. The left-handed batter slashed .451/.525/.824 in 13 games, and his slugging percentage ranked ninth in NCAA Division I. Coutts recorded a 1.349 OPS, 23 hits, seven doubles, four homers, 12 RBIs and two stolen bases.

Gio Diaz, INF, Saint Mary’s
Diaz moved around the infield in his three seasons of college baseball, logging innings at second base, third base and shortstop, which fits the Nationals' trend of defensive versatility. In 13 games of a shortened 2020 season, Diaz hit .396/.442/.417 with an .859 OPS. He recorded 19 hits and three stolen bases and struck out only twice over 53 plate appearances.

Landon Dieterich, OF, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Dieterich played first base and right field over his four years in college. In 13 games last season, he hit .205 with two homers, four RBIs, nine runs, a double and five walks. Dieterich batted .312 in 2019, when he was an American Southwest Conference All-Conference selection.

Brian Klein, INF, Texas Tech University
Klein entered his senior year on the 2020 Golden Spikes Award preseason watch list for the top amateur player. The lefty batted .391 with one home run, 10 doubles, 13 RBIs, 20 runs and 15 walks in 19 games. Klein played second and third base in college.

Quade Tomlin, SS, Liberty Christian Academy (Lynchburg, Va.)
Tomlin was named the 2019 Virginia High School League State Player of the Year as a junior. That season, he hit .420 with nine home runs, five doubles, 47 RBIs and 40 runs. Tomlin, 18, is the son of former Major League pitcher and Nationals Minor League pitching coach, Randy.

Raymond Torres Jr., C, San Jacinto JC
After selecting southpaw Mitchell Parker from San Jacinto Junior College in the fifth round of the Draft, the Nationals signed his teammate, catcher Torres. As a freshman in 2020, Torres appeared in 13 games, batting .444/.528/.667 with 20 hits, 15 runs, six doubles and 12 RBIs over 45 at-bats.

Edward Ureña, RHP, Western Oklahoma State College
Ureña posted a 2.51 ERA in four games (three starts) in 2020. He struck out 21 batters while walking just four.