VIERA, Florida — Nationals top pitching prospect Lucas Giolito is in his first big league camp. The 21-year old showed up to Viera expecting one thing and got another.
“I had this stigma in my mind that Spring Training was veteran guys on one side, and rookies kind of feeling awkward and doing their own thing somewhere else,” he said Tuesday. “In reality, everyone is hanging out together just like any other clubhouse.”
That’s something that has made Giolito feel at home in his first camp and is allowing him to really focus on baseball.
“I feel comfortable asking questions, I feel comfortable being able to do what I need to do to get better that day. Everyone is really welcoming, that’s something I didn’t expect.”
The Nationals’ first-round pick in 2012 (16th overall) put up good numbers last year. He posted a 2.71 ERA with 86 strikeouts and 20 walks in 69 2/3 innings pitched at High-A Potomac, then moved to Double-A Harrisburg where he posted a 3.80 ERA with 45 strikeouts and 17 walks in 47 1/3 innings. He also only gave up three home runs all year between the two leagues.
Most people think we will see Giolito in a Nationals uniform at some point this year, but that he will start the year in the minors and continue to get better. He knows that and has set some personal goals for himself.
“I really want to be get my fastball command a little bit better, get that where it needs to be,” he said. “I want to be able to throw a fastball to either side of the plate and feel comfortable doing that and limit the misses.”
Dusty Baker has had a chance to watch Giolito throw a couple times this spring and has been impressed.
“I’ve seen that electric fastball and electric arm he has,” Baker said.
Dusty is anxious to see him, but knows he will have to wait.
“It’s hard not to rush these kids. That’s what happens in basketball. They think they’re ready for the NBA.”
With the projected rotation the Nationals have, the ideal situation would be to have Giolito pitch a full minor league season and then bring him up later in the year to get a taste of the big leagues.
As far as the perfect scenario this season for him?
“It’s hard to say, I’ve never really thought about it like that,” he said. “Obviously make it up to the big leagues at some point, whenever they feel like they need me and want me up there. I want to put up good numbers. I want to feel like I’m making good strides as a pitcher, and that’s about all you could ask for.”
If he keeps making the strides, once he gets called up he will be there to stay.
