A.J. No. 5: Washington Nationals’ GM Mike Rizzo has talked all winter about the way A.J. Cole finished up in 2017. He’s still talking about the 26-year-old righty’s development in the last year or so. In an MLB Network Radio interview last week, the General Manager removed any doubt about where the 2010 Nationals’ 4th Round pick will start the season.
“He’s always been a good prospect for us, but kind of inconsistent,” Rizzo explained. “I think he came to camp this year and he was bigger, stronger, more prepared for Spring Training. He’s thrown extremely well for us.