Former Nationals first-round pick leaves MLB to play in Japan

A former Washington Nationals first-round pick is taking his talents to Japan. 

According to Yuri Karasawa of Yakyu Cosmopolitan, right-hander Jackson Rutledge has signed with Nippon Professional Baseball's Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. 

Rutledge, 27, was the 17th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft by the Nationals. 

He made it into one game this season before transitioning to NPB. The righty permitted seven runs in just 1.1 innings and was designated for assignment by the Nationals. 

The Philadelphia Phillies claimed Rutledge off waivers, but he did not make an appearance for the Major League club. 

Across 71 appearances, Rutledge owns a 6.29 ERA with a low 19% strikeout percentage in 103 Major League innings. 

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"Certainly, Rutledge’s pro career hasn’t gone as he’d hoped when he was selected 17th overall and commanded a sizable $3.45MM signing bonus back in 2019," Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors wrote.

"However, he won’t turn 28 until next April and still averages better than 94 mph on his sinker," Adams added. "It’s not out of the question that he can reinvent himself overseas and make a comeback a couple years down the road." 

If Rutledge can have a successful stint with the Hawks, he may earn himself another opportunity with a Major League organization. 

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