HOLLY SPRINGS – Former Florence pitcher Amos Willingham (photo courtesy Getty Images) witnessed his dream come true Wednesday night (June 28) as he took the mound in relief for Washington.

With the Nationals leading 4-0 on the road at Seattle, he entered to start the eighth inning and unfortunately surrendered a tough-luck home run to Jose Caballero, the first batter he faced. However, the 6-4, 217-pound righty quickly settled down and got the next three batters out to retire the side.

Selected by the Nationals in the 17th round of the 2019 MLB draft, he got his start with Low-A Auburn to close out 2019. He pitched 27 innings, going 1-4 with a save and 3.67 ERA. He would split time between Single-A Fredericksburg and High-A Wilmington during 2021, combining for a 4-0 record and 4.92 ERA with a pair of saves and 56 strikeouts over 60 1/3 innings.

The following season he returned to Wilmington and finished with a 3-2 record with three saves and a solid 3.41 ERA. In 34 1/3 innings of work, he only surrendered 14 runs – 13 earned – on 34 hits, while striking out 40 versus just seven walked. After 9 1/3 innings in the fall with Peoria, Willingham was promoted to Double-A Harrisburg to start the 2023 campaign. He cemented his role as closer for the Senators, striking out 14 in 10 2/3 innings to record five saves, a 2-0 record and perfect 0.00 ERA. From there, he was promoted to Triple-A Rochester, where he was 2-1 with a 3.46 ERA through 13 innings before being called up by the Nats.

He spent the summer of 2018 with Florence, making 10 appearances, three of them starts. The Georgia Tech product finished with a 2-3 record and 4.81 ERA over 24 1/3 innings. In that time, he gave up 13 runs – all earned – on 32 hits, walked nine and struck out 22.

With his debut, Willingham is now the 177th CPL alum to become a Major Leaguer and 13th in 2023. He also gives Florence their 18th former player to get to The Show.

About Coastal Plain League:
The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s premier summer collegiate baseball league. The CPL is currently comprised of 14 franchises playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. To date, the CPL has had nearly 1,750 alumni drafted and 177 alums make their Major League debut. Most notable alumni include Justin Verlander, Ryan Zimmerman, Mark Reynolds, Kevin Youkilis, Chris Taylor, Alec Bohm, Jake Cave, Chas McCormick and NFL Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok @CPLBaseball.