Sykora, a third-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft by the Washington Nationals, was fourth in the Carolina League in ERA (2.33), and led the league in strikeouts with 129 in the regular season. He also led the league in FIP (1.87), expected FIP (2.14), strikeouts per nine (13.66), strikeout-to-walk percentage (31.0%), home runs per nine (0.21), opponent average against (.167) and WHIP (0.91).
Sykora led all of Minor League Baseball in strikeout percentage (39.7%) among 545 eligible pitchers that threw at least 80 innings in 2024.
In two playoff starts – both series-clinching wins for the FredNats, including the deciding game of the Carolina League Championship Series – Sykora pitched 10 scoreless innings, allowing just two total hits, walking one batter, hitting one batter, and striking out 18.
Sykora was a finalist for the MiLB Pitching Prospect of the Year, but that award went to Quinn Mathews from the St. Louis Cardinals farm system.
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Chris Graham
