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Top prospect Lucas Giolito to make MLB debut for Nationals on Tuesday

The top pitching prospect in baseball is coming to the majors.

Lucas Giolito will start for the Washington Nationals on Tuesday against the New York Mets, manager Dusty Baker told reporters Monday.

Drafted by the Nationals in 2012 as the heir apparent to Stephen Strasburg, Giolito will essentially be replacing the ace in Washington's rotation after Strasburg went on the disabled list Sunday. The hard-throwing 21-year-old has yet to pitch above Double-A, where he is currently 5-3 with a 3.17 ERA in 14 starts for Harrisburg, but scouts have long raved about his abilities.

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"He's ready for the task," Baker told reporters.