Occasionally, during the offseason, a familiar name resurfaces in the headlines, bringing back memories for fans. Recently, this happened for those who have followed the Cleveland Guardians in recent years.
Konnor Pilkington, a former pitcher in the Guardians organization, signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals for the 2024 season.
Pilkington, also known as the “Pilk-Man,” was acquired from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for infielder Cesar Hernandez at the 2021 trade deadline.
He made his MLB debut on April 4 of the following season, and spent the next year moving between the major and minor leagues.
During his time with the Guardians, Pilkington appeared in 16 games, starting 11, posting a 3.75 ERA, a 1.45 WHIP, and an ERA+ of 102.
Cleveland often used Pilkington for spot starts or as a long reliever in blowout situations, and he executed those roles effectively.
However, the Guardians designated him for assignment on April 26, 2023, before trading him to the Arizona Diamondbacks a few days later.
The Nationals are still working to solidify their rotation for the 2025 season. If Pilkington performs well during spring training and in the minors, he could become a viable option for Washington.
At just 27 years old, Pilkington has shown potential at the major league level, even if in a more limited innings-eating role. There may be another opportunity for him in the majors with the Nationals.
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