Get to know the Nationals' newest prospects

WASHINGTON -- The Nationals added a pair of Top 30 prospects to their organization in exchange for veteran third baseman Jeimer Candelario one day before Tuesday's 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline. Shortstop Kevin Made and left-hander DJ Herz, ranked as the Cubs’ Nos. 14 and 16 prospects per MLB Pipeline, were acquired on Monday evening.

Here’s a rundown of what you need to know about all of the newest members of the Nats’ system.

DJ Herz, LHP, Double-A Harrisburg
Pipeline scouting report:
Scouts thought Herz had the most live arm among North Carolina high school pitchers in 2019, but his murky signability dropped him to the eighth round. The Cubs surprised other teams when they got him to give up a North Carolina scholarship for $500,000, the equivalent of fourth-round money. He had 272 strikeouts in 177 innings over his first two full seasons, though he got hammered for an 8.24 ERA after getting to Double-A last July.

Herz barely used a changeup as an amateur, but now it's his best pitch, as he sells his low-80s cambio with fastball arm speed before it vanishes at the plate. His heater sits at 91-94 mph and tops out at 96, with late life that keeps it off barrels. He was able to thrive at the lower levels with mainly those two offerings before his inability to land his upper-70s spike curveball caught up to him in Double-A, prompting him to work on a low-80s slider this offseason that fits better with his low arm slot.

Herz's extreme crossfire delivery with a long arm swing creates a lot of deception but also compromises his ability to repeat his mechanics and throw strikes. After he walked 33 batters in 31 2/3 Double-A innings, Chicago tried to help him get more directional to the plate, which could lead to improved control -- and also could detract from his stuff. Most evaluators believe he's headed for the bullpen, and he could be a late-inning option if he can learn to locate his pitches better.

Organizational fit: As the Nationals build toward their future, they covet pitching, as seen by acquisitions of right-hander Josiah Gray and southpaw MacKenzie Gore at the past two Trade Deadlines. If Herz transitions to the bullpen, as mentioned in the scouting report, he could add a valued lefty arm. Among Washington's Top 30 prospects prior to the trade, only four are left-handed pitchers.

ETA: 2024

Kevin Made, SS, High-A Wilmington
Pipeline scouting report:
Made signed for $1.5 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2019, but the pandemic delayed his debut until 2021. Chicago's logjam of young shortstops resulted in him being assigned to Single-A at age 18 for his introduction to pro ball and getting pushed to High-A at age 19 in mid-2022. Though his youth, inexperience and hamstring and elbow issues have limited him to a .244/.317/.366 line in 222 games, he has tremendous upside.

Made's quick right-handed swing and advanced bat-to-ball skills have helped him survive against much older and experienced competition. He has shown the ability to make adjustments as he has gotten acclimated to a level and his walk rate soared from 2 percent in his debut to 11 percent last year, a very encouraging sign. He has projectable strength and shows the ability to turn on pitches, so he could provide 15-20 homers per season once he begins driving the ball in the air more regularly.

A solid runner but not much of a basestealer, Made could be a big league regular with just modest offensive production because he's a gifted defender. He has smooth actions and quality instincts at shortstop, where he covers ground to both sides and has a well-above-average arm. He could play almost anywhere on the diamond if he winds up in a utility role.

Organizational fit: The Nationals value players with defensive versatility, which is a significant attribute for a shortstop, as 22-year-old CJ Abrams is already at the Major League level. In Made’s international signing class, the Nats inked right-hander Andry Lara, who is ranked as Washington's No. 14 prospect and is playing at High-A Wilmington.

ETA: 2025