Nick

Wells

Acquired from the Mariners for righty reliever Austin Adams back in 2019, Wells compiled a pedestrian 5.14 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 49/28 K/BB ratio across 49 innings (32 appearances) between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester last year. The 25-year-old southpaw will add to the Nationals’ minor-league relief depth this season.

Wells, 23, was not a highly-ranked prospect in the Mariners’ system. He’s in his second year at High-A Modesto where he owns a 7.91 ERA and 1.55 WHIP across 19 1/3 innings. While it’s not much of a return for the Nationals, it’s better than letting Adams walk away for nothing.

The 6-foot-5 Wells was a third-round pick last year, and while he’s yet to make his mark as a pro (5.26 ERA in 66 2/3 innings in Rookie ball since 2014), he has a chance to turn into something someday. That makes this a decent return for a veteran reliever signed as a minor league free agent over the winter. Rasmussen is a major league-ready reliever, albeit one without much upside. Brentz is another Rookie ball pitcher.