Paul Toboni named Devin Pearson, Boston's director of amateur scouting since 2021, as his first hire since becoming Washington's president of baseball operations in November. Pearson worked under Toboni in Boston's front office for four years. The hire was announced Wednesday.
Pearson ran amateur scouting for the Red Sox through two draft classes—2022 and 2023—that produced shortstop Marcelo Mayer (fourth overall, now Boston's top prospect), outfielder Roman Anthony (second round, now ranked second in the system), and catcher Kyle Teel (first round, third-ranked). Boston's 2023 class added five players now sitting in Baseball America's organizational top-30. Pearson's 2024 draft work is visible in extended spring training but won't carry a report card until mid-2025.
The move tells you three things. First, Toboni values the amateur pipeline over immediate major-league roster construction—a rational stance for a club that won 71 games last season and holds the eighth pick in June's draft. Second, Pearson's track record suggests Washington will spend its pick on college bats or advanced prep arms with shorter development curves; Boston under his watch favored polished college position players over high-variance high schoolers. Third, the hire signals Toboni's timeline: he's building for 2027 playoff contention, not 2025 wild-card chaos.
Washington's farm system ranks 22nd by consensus industry lists. The club has $47 million in guaranteed contracts expiring after 2025, creating payroll flexibility Toboni hasn't yet spent. Pearson's first draft—June 14th in Cleveland—will shape whether Washington trades its expiring veteran pieces (Lane Thomas, Jesse Winker) before the July 30th deadline or holds them as bridge assets. Rival executives expect Washington to sell; Pearson's hire makes that easier to justify internally.
The Nationals haven't announced Pearson's exact title. Washington's amateur scouting director role has been vacant since De Jon Watson left for Arizona in October. Pearson is expected to assume that post, reporting directly to Toboni. His first task: finalizing pre-draft boards for college showcase events beginning in February. Boston's front office has not yet named his replacement.
Watch for Washington to add a second Boston alumnus—likely in pitching development or international scouting—before Opening Day. Toboni brought six staffers with him when he moved from the Cubs to Boston in 2020; he's following the same playbook. Also watch the Nationals' spending at the July 15th international signing period; Pearson oversaw Boston's pivot toward Latin American infrastructure in 2022, when the Red Sox opened a $4 million academy in the Dominican Republic. If Washington increases its international budget beyond the usual $5.1 million pool, Pearson's fingerprints will be visible.
The Nationals open Grapefruit League play February 22nd. Pearson will be in West Palm Beach by then, watching college arms throw bullpens.