Grabel twice had his college career interrupted by elbow issues, missing 2022 at Northwestern and 2024 at Indiana following Tommy John surgery. He worked his way into the Hoosiers' rotation as a fifth-year senior in 2025, when the Yankees drafted him in the 11th round. He has enjoyed a spectacular pro debut this year, earning a promotion from High-A to Double-A three weeks into the season and later a spot in the Futures Game. In August, he joined the Nationals as part of the Deadline swap for Luis García Jr.
No big league pitcher this season can match Grable's combination of velocity (sitting at 96 mph, peaking at 99) and induced vertical break (an average of 20-21 inches) on his fastball. Hitters know his heater is coming because he throws it 75 percent of the time, but they still can't stop chasing it and rarely catch up to it. He backs up his fastball with a mid-80s slider that features enough horizontal action to make it effective against both lefties and righties.
Grabel adds to his deception with a delivery that combines a high release height with good extension and unusual flexion in his arm action. It doesn't prevent him from filling the strike zone with either of his options. He was on the fast track to New York before the trade, and he gives Washington a high-octane bullpen arm on which to dream.
