Cade Cavalli

Cade Cavalli

26-Year-Old PitcherP
Washington Nationals
15-Day IL
Injury Elbow
Est. Return 5/18/2025
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Cavalli represents a cautionary tale for those looking to invest in young pitchers expected to return from Tommy John surgery this summer. He was due back in June of 2024 -- 15 months after his TJS -- but he experienced setbacks and dead arm and only pitched 8.1 innings across three rehab starts before getting shut down. At his best, Cavalli is a power righty with a full pitch mix and a high-strikeout ceiling as a starter, but it's possible he'll never fully return to form or that he could just end up a reliever due to durability issues. Cavalli's command was never a strength, and that's the last thing to return for pitchers returning from surgery, so he could have quite a bit of rust to knock off. The Nationals will continue to explore his potential in the big-league rotation in 2025, although he may be eased into things at Triple-A. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Rest of Season
From Preseason
#398
ADP
$Signed a one-year contract with the Nationals in March of 2025.
Skipping next rehab start
PWashington Nationals
Elbow
April 30, 2025
Cavalli (elbow) will skip his next rehab start with Triple-A Rochester after exiting his last outing Tuesday with fatigue, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Cavalli will throw a pair of bullpen sessions in between starts instead, and the Nationals are not viewing this as a significant setback. Coming back from Tommy John surgery, Cavalli has allowed three runs with a 9:4 K:BB across 11 innings covering three rehab starts.
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2024
2023
2022
2021
Cavalli needed Tommy John surgery in March of 2023, but he is doing well in his recovery and is on track to join the Nationals' rotation sometime this summer. It's easy to dismiss most Nationals starting pitchers in fantasy these days, but Cavalli has legitimate pedigree (2020 first rounder) and stuff. His fastball is a monster upper-90s offering that has touched triple digits in the past, and he pairs it with a plus curveball, above-average slider and a decent fourth-pitch changeup. Cavalli only has fringe-average command, and command can be the last thing to return for pitchers after TJS. If he is struggling to throw consistent strikes during his rehab assignment, that would diminish his waiver-wire appeal, but it's possible he will be a mixed-league option as early as June.
Cavalli has loud stuff and a clear path to a full season in the Nationals rotation. However a significant shoulder injury suffered in his first MLB start (Aug. 26) clouds his immediate future. He was able to throw pain-free from 60 feet at the end of the season, but he mentioned in an interview after landing on the injured list that he had never felt the kind of shoulder discomfort he was feeling at that time. The big 6-foot-4 righty sits at 96 mph with his fastball while showing off a plus mid-80s curveball and a changeup and slider that have the potential to be plus pitches in time. Cavalli's command and control have lagged behind, and this latest injury adds to the risk. The Nationals won't win many games in 2023 and haven't shown an ability to develop quality starting pitching, so there are factors outside Cavalli's control that lessen his appeal. However, he is still talented enough to merit consideration in most competitive leagues.
Cavalli made good on his billing as one of the very best pitchers in the 2020 draft, striking out 175 in 123.1 innings across stops at High-A, Double-A and Triple-A. The 13.2 BB% he logged at Double-A and Triple-A is the primary blemish on his pro debut, and improving his command and control will be the key to him reaching his ceiling as a frontline starter. He has a mid-90s fourseam fastball that touched triple digits last year and a bevy of quality secondary offerings. His slider is currently his best offspeed pitch, but his curveball and changeup show promise, giving him a complete repertoire. Getting up over 120 innings was a big accomplishment for the 6-foot-4, 226-pound righty, as he'd dealt with some injuries in college. Cavalli will head back to Triple-A with the goal of walking fewer batters, but he should spend a good chunk of the season in the big leagues if he stays healthy. Few pitching prospects can match his fantasy upside.
At 6-foot-4, 226 pounds, the right-handed Cavalli has a prototypical starter's frame with the stuff to match. A former two-way player at Oklahoma, he focused on pitching as a sophomore and his stock took off, with the Nationals popping him with the No. 22 pick in the 2020 draft. He sits in the mid-90s with his fastball and can touch 98 mph. Cavalli also has a plus slider, while his changeup and curveball project as above-average offerings. Back and arm injuries have held him back in prior seasons, and despite a clean, effortless delivery, throwing strikes has been an issue at times, although he only walked five while striking out 37 in 23.2 innings last spring. It would not be surprising if Cavalli ended up being the best pitcher from this historically good class of college arms, but he is also quite risky. He threw over 50 innings after getting drafted and could head to High-A this year.
More Fantasy News
Exits rehab start with fatigue
PWashington Nationals
Elbow
April 30, 2025
Nationals president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo said Wednesday that Cavalli (elbow) was pulled from his rehab start with Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday due to fatigue, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Strong rehab outing
PWashington Nationals
Elbow
April 24, 2025
Cavalli (elbow) threw five shutout innings while allowing two hits and one walk with four strikeouts across five innings with Double-A Harrisburg on Thursday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.
ANALYSIS
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Moves rehab to Double-A
PWashington Nationals
Elbow
April 24, 2025
Cavalli (elbow) will make his next rehab start Thursday with Double-A Harrisburg, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.
ANALYSIS
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Could be month away from return
PWashington Nationals
Elbow
April 17, 2025
Cavalli (elbow) worked up to 35 pitches in a simulated game last Tuesday, and the Nationals will have him go through a normal spring training progression over the next month before determining whether he's ready to come off the injured list, Bobby Blanco of MASN Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
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Makes rehab start
PWashington Nationals
Elbow
April 9, 2025
Cavalli (elbow) threw two innings in a Florida Complex League game Wednesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Debut coming
PWashington Nationals
August 24, 2022
Cavalli could make his big-league debut as early as this weekend, reports Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com.
ANALYSIS
Washington has yet to announce its starters for the weekend series against the Reds, but when they do, Cavalli's name could be listed as one of the probable starters. Should the 24-year-old make his debut, he is likely to retain his rookie status for next season, which could result in draft pick compensation for the Nationals if he's one of the top rookies in the league in 2023. Cavalli has strong numbers for Triple-A Rochester this season and has been dominant over his last 13 starts, going 5-1 with a 2.10 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 77:25 K:BB in 68.2 innings while allowing just two homers.
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