Nationals acquire 6-foot-9 Stuart in trade with Mets

The Nationals have continued to acquire emerging prospects for their future at the Trade Deadline.

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

Tyler Stuart, RHP, Double-A Harrisburg (Nationals' No. 16 prospect)

Pipeline scouting report: Stuart worked mostly as a reliever at Southern Miss and in the Cape Cod League, but after his selection in the sixth round in 2022, the Mets transitioned him to starter -- and a statistically impressive one at that. The right-hander led full-season Minor League qualifiers with a 2.20 ERA and ranked 12th among the 183 on that list with his 1.10 WHIP over 110 2/3 innings between High-A and Double-A. That said, his numbers at the higher level were closer to pedestrian (3.60 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 19.3 percent K rate) as he faced more advanced bats. He was a solid starter back at Binghamton in 2024 and was dealt to the Nationals in late July in a straight-up swap for outfielder Jesse Winker.

Standing 6-foot-9 (yes, 6-foot-9), Stuart tends to start with his low-80s slider, which he threw roughly half the time in 2023, and for good reason. The pitch can show good two-plane break and sweep, leading to above-average whiff rates especially when it’s located on the edges of the zone. But it can hang in the zone at other times and get thumped. His 91-94 mph fastball shows sink and run in the other direction and can be tough to square up from his low three-quarters arm slot, giving him two potentially above-average pitches. Stuart’s changeup remains a distant third option.

Stuart didn’t walk more than 7.6 percent of his batters faced at either level in 2023, and he fills the zone better than expected for someone his size. That control is one reason why the Mets wanted to give him starting looks in the pros, but he needs a more well-rounded arsenal to lock in that status. He’ll continue that work at the upper levels of the Washington system with his sights set on a potential debut next spring.

Organizational fit: Manager Dave Martinez noted the starting depth Stuart brings to the Nationals: “A big-frame kid, he throws strikes, he competes, so he gives us a little bit more depth starting pitching-wise … Good slider, good changeup. I’m looking forward to talking to him, meeting him here in the future. Hopefully when we do get him up here in the future, he can get outs for us.”

ETA: 2025