Tim Cate

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #28 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Cate looks like a different pitcher than the one who was named the Nationals' minor league pitcher of the year in 2019. After the Nationals selected him in the second round of the 2018 draft, he excelled. However, he started to struggle when facing higher talent in Double-A in 2021. Cate began the 2022 season repeating High-A and pitched well, but he again struggled against Double-A hitters after a July promotion. He posted a 6.16 ERA in 57 innings with Harrisburg and then got hit around in the Arizona Fall League after the season--where he allowed 25 hits and 20 earned runs in just 10 innings.
  
  Scouting Report: Cate's curveball remains his lone carrying pitch and it's still an effective breaking ball with high spin and velocity in the upper 70s, but the rest of his arsenal hasn't been quite good enough to help him set it up. Cate throws a fastball in the 88-90 mph range and the pitch tops out around 93 without any unique shape or deception to help it play up. He can cut the pitch at times, but it's solidly below-average, as is a mid-80s changeup that doesn't have much velocity separation from his fastball. Cate has shown solid control, but that backs up against upper level hitters as he's forced to nibble around the zone to try and avoid contact.
  
  The Future: Considering only Cate's curveball, it still looks like he could find a place in the big league bullpen. However, the Nationals can't and won't overlook his inability to perform at the upper levels of the minors. The 2023 season will be big for Cate to see if he can re-establish his prospect stock.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 40. Curveball: 60. Changeup: 45. Control: 50
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #18 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Connecticut’s career strikeout leader, Cate was selected in the second round in 2018. He had a big year in 2019, winning the Nationals’ minor league pitcher of the year. He spent time at the alternate training site in 2020 before stumbling at Double-A Harrisburg in 2021.
  
  Scouting Report: Cate does a lot of things well to be effective despite being undersized and having something less than electric stuff across the board. He has an easy delivery, he moves the ball around the zone well and he can locate. His curveball is the one current plus pitch in his arsenal, and it’s a true hammer. His changeup shows signs of being a future above-average offering, but he was inconsistent with it in 2021. His fastball has fringy velocity in the high 80s and low 90s, but his ability to cut and sink it helps move it off barrels. Cate is capable of plus-plus command, and the reality is that he needs it, because he gets hit more than most when he misses spots, as was the case in Harrisburg.
  
  The Future: There’s likely a place in the big leagues at some point for Cate just based on his durability, pitchability, moxie and his ability to use his curveball as a weapon at will.
  
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #8 prospect in 2021
  Fastball: 45. Changeup: 55. Curveball: 60. Control: 55
  TRACK RECORD: The lefthanded Cate had Tommy John surgery in high school but was so eager to continue playing that he pitched with his right arm. He went on to set UConn’s career strikeout record and was drafted in the second round, No. 65 overall, by the Nationals in 2018. Cate went out and won the organization’s minor league pitcher of the year award in 2019, then spent 2020 at the alternate training site in Fredericksburg, Va.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Cate is undersized but has shown moxie at each level he’s pitched. He maintains a consistent effort level and has a smooth delivery. By moving the ball to all quadrants of the strike zone, he’s able to stay away from hitters’ barrels. That’s important because his fastball is a fringy offering that lives in the 89-90 mph range. It plays up some with his ability to cut and sink it. Cate’s curveball is his signature pitch as a hammer in the low 80s that he has an exceptional feel to command. His changeup made great strides at the alternate site and began flashing above-average. Cate is an excellent strike-thrower who can locate his pitches to both sides of the plate.
  
  THE FUTURE: Cate is set to see the upper minors in 2021. He has a shot to make it as a back-of-the-rotation lefthander.
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #5 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: When he was at Connecticut, Cate was famous for having one of the best curveballs in the nation, although his small stature raised some durability concerns. Cate is ambidextrous. He had Tommy John surgery on his left elbow in high school, but while he recovered, he just batted, pitched and played the outfield as a righthander.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: When the Nationals drafted Cate, the hope was his 90-92 mph velocity would steadily tick up. Instead, he's struggled to maintain that, often dipping to 89-90 in starts. Even with only a fringe-average fastball at best, Cate transitioned smoothly to high Class A in 2019 after thriving at low A Hagerstown thanks to plus control. Cate's curveball has teeth and depth to it. A previously below-average changeup has improved, and he still had life on a fastball that he can cut, sink or run. At instructional league, he worked on his changeup and a small tweak to his delivery. He didn't pitch in any games but focused on preparing himself for 2020. He's a student of the game who has adjusted well to a five-day schedule in pro ball.
  
  THE FUTURE: Some scouts believe Cate needs to build more stamina, but he has the workings of a potential back-of-the-rotation starter if the improvement he's made with his changeup sticks. If not, his fastball and curveball should play up in shorter bullpen stints.
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #6 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Cate established himself as one of the better lefthanded college pitchers in the 2018 draft class after two strong seasons as a starter with Connecticut. He was in the middle of a third before he was sidelined with an elbow injury. Despite Cate's short stature and injury concerns--he had Tommy John surgery in high school--the Nationals liked him and his curveball enough to sign him for $986,200 in the second round.
  
  Scouting Report: Scouts don't talk about Cate without raving about his 77-83 mph hammer curveball. One of the best breaking pitches in the 2018 class, it's at least a plus offering and many scouts go as far as throwing a 70 grade on it. Cate lands his curve regularly and uses it as a swing-and-miss offering both inside and outside the strike zone. His fastball is more solid-average, in the 90-92 mph range, but he has touched the mid-90s in the past and the Nationals hope he will be able to get there more regularly in the future with improved body strength. Cate will need to improve the life on his fastball, which gets flat at times, as well as develop his changeup, which is a distant third pitch. He also needs to improve his command, but with a compact delivery and clean, high three-quarter slot, projects to be average in that area.
  
  The Future: Cate has a middle-of-the-rotation ceiling, but could also be useful as a breaking ball-heavy reliever if his size and injury history limit his workload.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #54 prospect in 2018 draft
  A diminutive lefthander, Cate has put up two and a half impressive seasons as a starter with Connecticut. He posted a 2.73 ERA in 13 starts during his freshman season, followed by a 3.33 mark in 12 starts as a sophomore and recorded a 3.70 ERA through seven starts this spring before being sidelined with an elbow-related injury. Listed at just 6-foot, 167 pounds, Cate has a stronger lower half than might be expected, but with thin shoulders and hips. He has a three-pitch mix that features an average fastball, a curveball that is plus or better and a changeup that's thrown infrequently but has been solid. His fastball was in the 92-93 mph range early in the season and up to 94 before dropping into the 89-91 mph range as the spring progressed. The curveball is what gets teams excited, as the pitch is a hammer in the upper 70s and lower 80s. Cate has exceptional feel to land his breaking ball in the zone and bury it for swings and misses. His size is a concern and some teams look at Cate as pitcher who might have to move to the bullpen eventually. His injury this spring does him no favors--and he already has a Tommy John surgery on his resume from his high school days--but he is expected to return to the mound in early May, when scouts will try and get a few last-minute looks before the draft.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Carolina League #15 prospect in 2019
  Cate had a 2.65 ERA in 37.1 innings in August for Potomac, building on his 4-5, 2.82 showing with 73 strikeouts in 70.1 innings at low Class A Hagerstown. He has a plus curveball and is developing a complementary arsenal. "He goes about getting his outs a little differently from the other top guys in the league," Potomac manager Tripp Keister said. "His command is plus. And he's starting to get a better feel for his two-seamer, which has been getting him so many ground balls.” Cate had a 1.70 groundout-to-fly ball ratio with Potomac, bringing his career ratio to 1.46. His curveball is in the 77-83 mph range, and his fastball sits in the low 90s.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Cate looks like a different pitcher than the one who was named the Nationals' minor league pitcher of the year in 2019. After the Nationals selected him in the second round of the 2018 draft, he excelled. However, he started to struggle when facing higher talent in Double-A in 2021. Cate began the 2022 season repeating High-A and pitched well, but he again struggled against Double-A hitters after a July promotion. He posted a 6.16 ERA in 57 innings with Harrisburg and then got hit around in the Arizona Fall League after the season--where he allowed 25 hits and 20 earned runs in just 10 innings.
  
  Scouting Report: Cate's curveball remains his lone carrying pitch and it's still an effective breaking ball with high spin and velocity in the upper 70s, but the rest of his arsenal hasn't been quite good enough to help him set it up. Cate throws a fastball in the 88-90 mph range and the pitch tops out around 93 without any unique shape or deception to help it play up. He can cut the pitch at times, but it's solidly below-average, as is a mid-80s changeup that doesn't have much velocity separation from his fastball. Cate has shown solid control, but that backs up against upper level hitters as he's forced to nibble around the zone to try and avoid contact.
  
  The Future: Considering only Cate's curveball, it still looks like he could find a place in the big league bullpen. However, the Nationals can't and won't overlook his inability to perform at the upper levels of the minors. The 2023 season will be big for Cate to see if he can re-establish his prospect stock.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 40. Curveball: 60. Changeup: 45. Control: 50
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Cate looks like a different pitcher than the one who was named the Nationals' minor league pitcher of the year in 2019. After the Nationals selected him in the second round of the 2018 draft, he excelled. However, he started to struggle when facing higher talent in Double-A in 2021. Cate began the 2022 season repeating High-A and pitched well, but he again struggled against Double-A hitters after a July promotion. He posted a 6.16 ERA in 57 innings with Harrisburg and then got hit around in the Arizona Fall League after the season--where he allowed 25 hits and 20 earned runs in just 10 innings.
  
  Scouting Report: Cate's curveball remains his lone carrying pitch and it's still an effective breaking ball with high spin and velocity in the upper 70s, but the rest of his arsenal hasn't been quite good enough to help him set it up. Cate throws a fastball in the 88-90 mph range and the pitch tops out around 93 without any unique shape or deception to help it play up. He can cut the pitch at times, but it's solidly below-average, as is a mid-80s changeup that doesn't have much velocity separation from his fastball. Cate has shown solid control, but that backs up against upper level hitters as he's forced to nibble around the zone to try and avoid contact.
  
  The Future: Considering only Cate's curveball, it still looks like he could find a place in the big league bullpen. However, the Nationals can't and won't overlook his inability to perform at the upper levels of the minors. The 2023 season will be big for Cate to see if he can re-establish his prospect stock.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 40. Curveball: 60. Changeup: 45. Control: 50
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 45/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Connecticut&#39s career strikeout leader, Cate was selected in the second round in 2018. He had a big year in 2019, winning the Nationals&#39 minor league pitcher of the year. He spent time at the alternate training site in 2020 before stumbling at Double-A Harrisburg in 2021.
  
  Scouting Report: Cate does a lot of things well to be effective despite being undersized and having something less than electric stuff across the board. He has an easy delivery, he moves the ball around the zone well and he can locate. His curveball is the one current plus pitch in his arsenal, and it&#39s a true hammer. His changeup shows signs of being a future above-average offering, but he was inconsistent with it in 2021. His fastball has fringy velocity in the high 80s and low 90s, but his ability to cut and sink it helps move it off barrels. Cate is capable of plus-plus command, and the reality is that he needs it, because he gets hit more than most when he misses spots, as was the case in Harrisburg.
  
  The Future: There&#39s likely a place in the big leagues at some point for Cate just based on his durability, pitchability, moxie and his ability to use his curveball as a weapon at will.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Connecticut’s career strikeout leader, Cate was selected in the second round in 2018. He had a big year in 2019, winning the Nationals’ minor league pitcher of the year. He spent time at the alternate training site in 2020 before stumbling at Double-A Harrisburg in 2021.
  
  Scouting Report: Cate does a lot of things well to be effective despite being undersized and having something less than electric stuff across the board. He has an easy delivery, he moves the ball around the zone well and he can locate. His curveball is the one current plus pitch in his arsenal, and it’s a true hammer. His changeup shows signs of being a future above-average offering, but he was inconsistent with it in 2021. His fastball has fringy velocity in the high 80s and low 90s, but his ability to cut and sink it helps move it off barrels. Cate is capable of plus-plus command, and the reality is that he needs it, because he gets hit more than most when he misses spots, as was the case in Harrisburg.
  
  The Future: There’s likely a place in the big leagues at some point for Cate just based on his durability, pitchability, moxie and his ability to use his curveball as a weapon at will.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 45. Changeup: 55. Curveball: 60. Control: 55
  TRACK RECORD: The lefthanded Cate had Tommy John surgery in high school but was so eager to continue playing that he pitched with his right arm. He went on to set UConn's career strikeout record and was drafted in the second round, No. 65 overall, by the Nationals in 2018. Cate went out and won the organization's minor league pitcher of the year award in 2019, then spent 2020 at the alternate training site in Fredericksburg, Va.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Cate is undersized but has shown moxie at each level he's pitched. He maintains a consistent effort level and has a smooth delivery. By moving the ball to all quadrants of the strike zone, he's able to stay away from hitters' barrels. That's important because his fastball is a fringy offering that lives in the 89-90 mph range. It plays up some with his ability to cut and sink it. Cate's curveball is his signature pitch as a hammer in the low 80s that he has an exceptional feel to command. His changeup made great strides at the alternate site and began flashing above-average. Cate is an excellent strike-thrower who can locate his pitches to both sides of the plate.
  
  THE FUTURE: Cate is set to see the upper minors in 2021. He has a shot to make it as a back-of-the-rotation lefthander.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 45. Changeup: 55. Curveball: 60. Control: 55
  TRACK RECORD: The lefthanded Cate had Tommy John surgery in high school but was so eager to continue playing that he pitched with his right arm. He went on to set UConn’s career strikeout record and was drafted in the second round, No. 65 overall, by the Nationals in 2018. Cate went out and won the organization’s minor league pitcher of the year award in 2019, then spent 2020 at the alternate training site in Fredericksburg, Va.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Cate is undersized but has shown moxie at each level he’s pitched. He maintains a consistent effort level and has a smooth delivery. By moving the ball to all quadrants of the strike zone, he’s able to stay away from hitters’ barrels. That’s important because his fastball is a fringy offering that lives in the 89-90 mph range. It plays up some with his ability to cut and sink it. Cate’s curveball is his signature pitch as a hammer in the low 80s that he has an exceptional feel to command. His changeup made great strides at the alternate site and began flashing above-average. Cate is an excellent strike-thrower who can locate his pitches to both sides of the plate.
  
  THE FUTURE: Cate is set to see the upper minors in 2021. He has a shot to make it as a back-of-the-rotation lefthander.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 45. Changeup: 55. Curveball: 60. Control: 55
  TRACK RECORD: The lefthanded Cate had Tommy John surgery in high school but was so eager to continue playing that he pitched with his right arm. He went on to set UConn’s career strikeout record and was drafted in the second round, No. 65 overall, by the Nationals in 2018. Cate went out and won the organization’s minor league pitcher of the year award in 2019, then spent 2020 at the alternate training site in Fredericksburg, Va.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Cate is undersized but has shown moxie at each level he’s pitched. He maintains a consistent effort level and has a smooth delivery. By moving the ball to all quadrants of the strike zone, he’s able to stay away from hitters’ barrels. That’s important because his fastball is a fringy offering that lives in the 89-90 mph range. It plays up some with his ability to cut and sink it. Cate’s curveball is his signature pitch as a hammer in the low 80s that he has an exceptional feel to command. His changeup made great strides at the alternate site and began flashing above-average. Cate is an excellent strike-thrower who can locate his pitches to both sides of the plate.
  
  THE FUTURE: Cate is set to see the upper minors in 2021. He has a shot to make it as a back-of-the-rotation lefthander.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: When he was at Connecticut, Cate was famous for having one of the best curveballs in the nation, although his small stature raised some durability concerns. Cate is ambidextrous. He had Tommy John surgery on his left elbow in high school, but while he recovered, he just batted, pitched and played the outfield as a righthander.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: When the Nationals drafted Cate, the hope was his 90-92 mph velocity would steadily tick up. Instead, he’s struggled to maintain that, often dipping to 89-90 in starts. Even with only a fringe-average fastball at best, Cate transitioned smoothly to high Class A in 2019 after thriving at low A Hagerstown thanks to plus control. Cate’s curveball has teeth and depth to it. A previously below-average changeup has improved, and he still had life on a fastball that he can cut, sink or run. At instructional league, he worked on his changeup and a small tweak to his delivery. He didn’t pitch in any games but focused on preparing himself for 2020. He’s a student of the game who has adjusted well to a five-day schedule in pro ball.
  
  THE FUTURE: Some scouts believe Cate needs to build more stamina, but he has the workings of a potential back-of-the-rotation starter if the improvement he’s made with his changeup sticks. If not, his fastball and curveball should play up in shorter bullpen stints.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: When he was at Connecticut, Cate was famous for having one of the best curveballs in the nation, although his small stature raised some durability concerns. Cate is ambidextrous. He had Tommy John surgery on his left elbow in high school, but while he recovered, he just batted, pitched and played the outfield as a righthander.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: When the Nationals drafted Cate, the hope was his 90-92 mph velocity would steadily tick up. Instead, he's struggled to maintain that, often dipping to 89-90 in starts. Even with only a fringe-average fastball at best, Cate transitioned smoothly to high Class A in 2019 after thriving at low A Hagerstown thanks to plus control. Cate's curveball has teeth and depth to it. A previously below-average changeup has improved, and he still had life on a fastball that he can cut, sink or run. At instructional league, he worked on his changeup and a small tweak to his delivery. He didn't pitch in any games but focused on preparing himself for 2020. He's a student of the game who has adjusted well to a five-day schedule in pro ball.
  
  THE FUTURE: Some scouts believe Cate needs to build more stamina, but he has the workings of a potential back-of-the-rotation starter if the improvement he's made with his changeup sticks. If not, his fastball and curveball should play up in shorter bullpen stints.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Cate had a 2.65 ERA in 37.1 innings in August for Potomac, building on his 4-5, 2.82 showing with 73 strikeouts in 70.1 innings at low Class A Hagerstown. He has a plus curveball and is developing a complementary arsenal. "He goes about getting his outs a little differently from the other top guys in the league," Potomac manager Tripp Keister said. "His command is plus. And he's starting to get a better feel for his two-seamer, which has been getting him so many ground balls.” Cate had a 1.70 groundout-to-fly ball ratio with Potomac, bringing his career ratio to 1.46. His curveball is in the 77-83 mph range, and his fastball sits in the low 90s.