Now that the calendar has turned past July 4^th, it is time to start looking ahead to the August 1^st trade deadline and possible ways for the Washington Nationals to improve their roster.  Although the offense could certainly use an addition, the biggest weakness on the Nationals’ roster is in the bullpen, whether it be in the closer position or further quality depth.

Most fans assume the Nationals will look outside the organization to bolster their bullpen, although the team has several options in the minor leagues that could strengthen the relief corps.  I have identified 4 potential options “in-house” that could help the Nationals down the stretch this season.

Reynaldo Lopez

Signed for $12,000 as an international free agent in 2012, Lopez has gone from an afterthought signing to skyrocketing through the Nationals system and up prospect rankings.  Lopez has a powerful 3-pitch repertoire, featuring a legitimate 96-98mph fastball with punishing action, along with an inconsistent but average to above-average curveball and changeup.  He does not possess prototypical size and has had injury issues in the past, leading many to believe his future could be in relief.

However, Lopez has attempted to silence the critics in 2016, posting a 3.19 ERA across two levels at Double-A and now Triple-A, allowing only 78 hits and 31 walks against 109 strikeouts in 87.1 innings pitched.  Quite simply, he was the most dominant pitcher in the Eastern League prior to his promotion.  The Nationals are likely to continue developing the 22-year-old Lopez as a starter, but could look to limit his innings and strengthen their relief corps by shifting him to the bullpen late this year for a probable playoff chase.

Aaron Barrett

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Koda Glover

Washington’s 8^th round pick in 2015 from Oklahoma State, Glover is a powerfully built 6-5 225lbs right-handed relief pitcher who possesses a powerful 2-pitch arsenal.  Glover features a 94-97mph fastball with excellent life and quality downward plane, along with a hard 85-87mph slider that induces whiffs.

This season Glover has been dominant across three minor league affiliates, posting a 1.79 ERA over 40.1 innings pitched, allowing only 26 hits and 13 walks against 47 strikeouts.  Glover is a pure relief prospect due to his two-pitch arsenal, but profiles as a high-leverage 7^th or 8^th inning reliever for the Nationals, perhaps as soon as in September.

Austin Voth

Selected in the 5^th round of the 2013 MLB Draft, the 24-year-old Voth has rapidly risen through the Nationals’ organization.  Voth features a quality 3-pitch repertoire, flashing a low-90s fastball with movement, a high-70s curveball with vertical drop and a solid changeup.  Furthermore, his command and control of the strike zone is above-average to plus, making each of these pitches “play up”.

Currently Voth is sporting a 3.44 ERA in Triple-A, throwing 92.1 innings this season, allowing only 84 hits and 25 walks against 81 strikeouts.  While he likely profiles long-term as a #4/5 starter, the Nationals could shift him to the bullpen in a similar capacity to Craig Stammen in past seasons.