Nationals draft UCLA's Cashel Dugger in ninth round

Valor Christian product heads to Washington.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Jul 121 min read

Congrats to #UCLA and former Valor Christian standout Cashel Dugger, who was drafted in ninth round by #Nationals. Via @TroyRenck on X

What happened: The Washington Nationals selected catcher Cashel Dugger, a UCLA product and Valor Christian standout, with pick No. 256 overall in the ninth round of the 2026 MLB Draft. Dugger hit .251 with a .378 on-base percentage and 39 RBIs in 52 starts behind the plate this season.

Why it matters: The pick adds catching depth to Washington's system as the club also weighs its trade deadline direction. Dugger becomes the latest UCLA player off the board this draft, a day after Roch Cholowsky went No. 1 overall to the White Sox.

By the numbers: Dugger, 20, hit .251/.378 with 39 RBIs in 52 starts at catcher this season. He was taken No. 256 overall, the ninth-round selection in the 2026 MLB Draft.

What to watch: Dugger begins his transition to professional catching duties inside the Nationals' minor league system.

Sources

@TroyRenck 2026-07-12T20:50:20.032889+00:00

CONVERSATION

Loading comments…

NFLBreakingWashington Nationals

Follow NFL Intelligence

Real-time signals and analysis

@WireReportNFL

WR Pro

The day's sports, briefed to your inbox at 7am ET. Every claim sourced.

$9/month Free weekly newsletter →