Cortland Lawson was settling into his accommodations in Wilmington, Del., ready to start the 2024 season with the Blue Rocks. The Washington Nationals assigned the shortstop to the High-A roster as the organization broke spring training camp. Lawson had finished last year in Wilmington, hitting .247 in 23 games during the final month, so it was no surprise he was returning to manager Mario Lisson’s squad.
However, hours away from Opening Day, Nationals’ third baseman Nick Senzel fractured his thumb while taking grounders during batting practice. The injury set off a cascading ripple effect up and down the organization as Trey Lipscomb made his MLB debut. Jackson Cluff, in turn, was promoted to Triple-A Rochester, leaving a vacant spot in Harrisburg.
A spot filled when Lawson got the call he was headed to the Senators before the minor league season began.
“It was a shock, especially before opening day,” he said. “But I was extremely excited about it. One is because I have a bunch of family up here in Pennsylvania and some places we travel to, but I am also just moving up a level.”
“I definitely had some nerves coming in, but I realized those are all good things. That just means I love it, care about it, and want to succeed.”
Lawson grew up the typical kid playing all sports, including basketball, football, and soccer. But it was baseball that he succeeded at an early age and where he made the most friends in Potomac Falls, Va., a suburb of Washington D.C. So it was a perfect scenario for Lawson when his hometown team drafted him in the 14th round of the 2022 draft.
“I grew up going to Nats’ games all the time,” he said. “I’ve been on that field for pregame National Anthems. Being drafted by the Nationals was just an absolute dream come true.”
Lawson is also thankful that the Washington affiliates are located on the East Coast and are relatively close to his family and friends. It’s made his transition to professional baseball that much easier. City Island is only two hours away from the home he grew up in.
After his sudden promotion to Harrisburg, expectations were slight for Lawson to get much playing time as the low man on the totem pole. Jordy Barley, who finished last year with Rochester, dropped back a level to patrol shortstop for the Senators. But Barley has struggled mightily so far, hitting only .106 with 23 strikeouts in 57 plate appearances, providing an opportunity for Lawson.
The 24-year-old has taken full advantage, impressing with competitive at-bats and providing a spark for the Senators in the bottom third of the lineup. He’s also played a solid shortstop, committing only three errors after tallying 23 last season.
“I’m going to get all my work in, and whenever I get my chance, I’m going to be prepared,” Lawson said. “I’m going to do everything I can to succeed. I understand that with pro ball, there are things that are out of your control. You can’t let those things affect you.”
“You can do whatever and still not have things go your way. It really comes down to believing in yourself no matter what happens. Realize when your name is in the lineup and you’re out there playing, it’s just the game you’ve been playing for 15-20 years.”
Lawson’s contribution of energy and competitiveness to the roster was displayed in the Senators’ doubleheader nightcap on May 2 against Altoona.
Tied with the Curve 2-2, Lawson fisted an “excuse me” flare that barely cleared the first baseman’s reach. But instead of being satisfied with getting on base, Lawson saw the ball drop in no man’s land and hustled into second base for a double to put himself into scoring position. A batter later, that extra base mattered as Onix Vega singled to right field, and Lawson scored on a nifty slide to avoid a tag on a play at the plate.
“I always was the one to come off the field drenched in dirt,” Lawson said. “If I was in a completely clean uniform by the end of the game, I considered it a failure. I just want us to win. That’s all that really matters. That’s what it stems from. Doing whatever you can to try and help the team win.
Harrisburg has a 15-6 record in games he’s played, including winning nine of its last 10. Lawson’s two-out, two-run double in the eighth inning on Sunday afternoon was the difference in the Senators’ 5-3 victory over the Fisher Cats.
The University of Tennessee product credits the team chemistry and good vibes in the clubhouse for the Senators’ early-season success. He also sees that up and down the Nationals’ organization.
“Especially at this level, everyone has talent,” Lawson said. “It’s about who can mesh together, who can enjoy coming to work every day and want to do things for anybody on the team. If you’ve got a clubhouse, like we do here right now, that is willing to be selfless and put their needs behind the team’s, then that’s a recipe for success.”
Lawson has been a vital ingredient in that recipe, but now Harrisburg needs him more than ever after Barley injured his ankle sliding into second base the past Friday night in New Hampshire. It’s a challenge Lawson will face head-on like he has any other to this point. After all, he wasn’t even supposed to be here yet.
“There’s no pressure,” he said. “I just need to play my game. I got the call because they believe in me, so I should believe in myself.”