Former intriguing top prospect returns to MLB action with the Washington Nationals

In the final week of the season, Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo sent a clear message about how he wants members of that team to perform despite being eliminated after demoting his All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams.

The surprise announcement came before the final against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday, before it was later revealed that the teenager had been in the casino for a long time before the game.

As the year comes to a close, players within the organization will have the opportunity to show what they can do, and rookie Trey Lipscomb is the direct beneficiary of Rizzo's decision as he will now finish the season with the Nationals.

Their recent squad change could also cause some excitement.

After infielder Andres Chaparro was placed on the paternity list, Washington has recalled outfielder Stone Garrett for what could be his first appearance in over a year.

Garrett was selected in the eighth round of the 2014 MLB Draft out of high school by the Miami Marlins and appeared to have a bright future in baseball when he was named Minor League Player of the Year a season later.

But with the Marlins he never made it to the bigs.

He did not play a game in 2020 due to the minor league season being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, opting to pursue a full-time career in real estate.

However, Garrett eventually returned to the sport when he tried out for the Arizona Diamondbacks and ultimately signed a minor league contract with them in March 2021.

The outfielder made his long-awaited major league debut in 2022, slashing .276/.309/ with four home runs, 12 extra-base hits and 10 RBI in his 27 games and 76 at-bats but after being designated. .539 For a contract and ultimately non-tendered, he signed with the Nationals.

Garrett finally seemed to live up to the hype he created coming out of high school and in his early days in the minors, hitting .26/.343/.457 with nine home runs, 17 doubles and 40 RBI broke 89 games.

Unfortunately, the rising star broke his left leg on August 23, which ended his season and kept him in the minors all year.

How he fits in that outfield with two of Washington's top prospects at corners and a Gold Glove candidate in center is unknown, but he will return to the MLB diamond for at least the first time this season.