Garrett

Mock

The Nationals need young arms and they got a solid pair of 23-year-olds here. Mock, a 2004 third-round pick, was 4-8 with a 4.95 ERA, 144 H and 117/50 K/BB in 131 IP for Double-A Tennessee. He touches 94 mph and has decent movement on his cutter. He also has a quality curveball that should develop into a strikeout pitch. The numbers make it obvious that he’s not ready now, but he should turn into a No. 4 starter or maybe a No. 3. The Nationals will probably choose Billy Traber to replace Hernandez in the rotation.

Mock’s stock is down slightly from where it was at the end of last year, but the 23-year-old remains one of the Diamondbacks’ top pitching prospects. He’s 3-7 with a 4.55 ERA, 103 H and 94/39 K/BB in 99 IP for the Smokies.

Mock was designated for assignment last week as the Nationals made room on their 40-man roster for September call-ups. The 28-year-old right-hander had an ugly 6.28 ERA and 32/24 K/BB ratio over 12 starts and four relief appearances at the Triple-A level this season.

Mock signed with the Blue Jays in December, but became a free agent after being cut in February. The 28-year-old right-hander posted an ugly 6.28 ERA and 32/24 K/BB ratio over 12 starts and four relief appearances last season with the Nationals’ Triple-A affiliate. He has been assigned to minor league camp.

Mock, 28, posted an ugly 6.28 ERA and 32/24 K/BB ratio over 12 starts and four relief appearances this season with Triple-A Syracuse in the Nationals’ organization. It’s not a surprising destination for the former prospect given that former Nationals scouting director Dana Brown is now working with Toronto.

Mock has spent all year at Triple-A Pawtucket, compiling a 3.33 ERA and 53/23 K/BB ratio over 48 2/3 innings. He’s been added to Triple-A Oklahoma City’s bullpen.

He’ll also get a spring training invite. Mock, who was originally drafted by the Diamondbacks, posted a 3.79 ERA and 68/28 K/BB ratio over 61 2/3 innings at the Triple-A level between the Red Sox and Astros. The 29-year-old right-hander hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2010 as a member of the Nationals and will likely struggle to win a roster spot with the D-Backs.

Mock, who has already missed six weeks, won’t be an option for the Nationals before the end of July or August.

Mock signed a minor league contract with the Diamondbacks last November and went on to post a 6.72 ERA and 1.76 WHIP across 75 innings this season at Triple-A Reno. The 30-year-old right-hander will presumably try to latch on with a new organization.

Mock, who was limited to 65 innings in the minors last season after coming off knee surgery, has a 2.31 ERA in 23 1/3 innings this fall. If he keeps it up, he’ll be a legitimate candidate for a rotation spot next spring.