Pinckney, Cornelio among Nats prospects poised to make big leagues

This story was excerpted from Jessica Camerato’s Nationals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Ten players made their Major League debut with the Nationals this past season. As the team continues to develop its young talent, plenty more will reach their big league aspirations next year, too.

And once these players get to the Majors, the ultimate goal is to stick there. Let’s take a look at three prospects who could do that next season. This trio includes Minor League players who are pursuing their debuts, and another who is looking to have a longer stay.

RHP Andry Lara (No. 20)

Lara made his Major League debut on July 2. He made nine relief appearances with the Nationals this season, pitching to an 8.79 ERA across 14 1/3 innings.

In his debut, Lara hurled three scoreless innings with four strikeouts against the Tigers. He continued that momentum with a 1.35 ERA in his first four outings. A starter coming up in the Minor Leagues, Lara threw multiple innings in five of his nine big league appearances.

Lara, who participated in Major League Spring Training, played across High-A, Double-A and Triple-A this season. In 22 games (10 starts), he was 1-9 with a 7.55 ERA in 56 innings in the Minors.

Lara is only 22 years old. With his versatility to pitch multiple innings, he could see more action in the Nationals' bullpen next season.

OF Andrew Pinckney (No. 30)

Pinckney, 24, is poised to reach the big leagues next year after spending the entire season in Rochester. He took his experiences from Major League Spring Training and applied them to a standout performance with the Red Wings.

In 125 games, Pinckney slashed .269/.348/.431 with a .779 OPS. He became the first player in Red Wings franchise history to post a 20 home run-30 stolen base season, and the first since Don Baylor (1971) with a 20-20 season.

Pinckney ranked in the top 10 of Nationals Minor League players in homers, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, stolen bases, OPS, runs scored, RBIs, batting average, total bases, hits, extra-base hits and walks.

In the field, he ranked first among the organization’s Minor League outfielders in putouts and tied for fourth in outfield assists.

For his overall performance and leadership, Pinckney was named the recipient of the 2025 “Washington Nationals Way” Minor League Award.

RHP Riley Cornelio (unranked)

Cornelio made a Brad Lord-esque rise through the organization last season, advancing from High-A to Double-A to Triple-A in 2025. He went 6-7 with a 3.28 ERA in 134 1/3 innings (26 starts) along the way.

Cornelio, 25, was named the Nationals Minor League Pitcher of the Year. He led the Nats’ farm system in ERA, opponents’ batting average (.205) and starts. Cornelio was second in strikeouts (135), WHIP (1.15) and innings.

He had a standout stretch of 17 games (16 starts) from April 12-July 27 between Wilmington and Harrisburg where he went 5-2 with a 2.07 ERA and 90 strikeouts.

Cornelio wrapped up his third professional season by making eight starts (38 strikeouts, 35 1/3 innings) with the Red Wings.