RSS Nationals Team Notes

[Washington Nationals]

Meet Tyler Bell, The Perfect Paul Toboni And Washington Nationals Draft Target

Back in October, I took a look at Paul Toboni’s history of drafts with the Boston Red Sox in hopes of finding a clear trend in his draft philosophy. What I discovered was a tendency to target hitters in the first round, up the middle position players, and big-time strikeout stuff when he does go after pitchers. I laid out 4 prospects who I believed fit those criteria, and the first one I named was switch-hitting shortstop Tyler Bell out of Kentucky, who I just so happened to have being selected by the Nats in my first mock draft of this 2026 draft cycle, which you can check out here.

In my first 2026 MLB Draft mock draft, I have the Nats taking SS Tyler Bell from Kentucky with the 11th pick. Bell was a 2nd rounder by the Rays in ‘24 before going to UK, and is a switch hitter who had plus bat speed and exit velocities as a true freshmanpic.twitter.com/ZXVtgRLsVM

— Paul Cubbage (@PaulCubbage23) December 27, 2025

Bell is different from most other college prospects due to the fact that not only was he picked in the MLB Draft coming out of high school, but he was picked very high, going 66th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft to the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays took a risk trying to squeeze in enough prep prospects with their bonus pool money, and it resulted in not enough money being left over to convince Bell to give up his commitment to the Kentucky Wildcats, where he could play 2 seasons and enter the 2026 draft due to being 21 years old the year of his sophomore season. As far as stamps of approval come with prospects, it doesn’t get much better than them having been highly coveted by the Tampa Bay Rays.

Bell played in 56 games in 2025, and in that time, he proved why he has what it takes to be a first-round pick in 2026. As a true freshman in the toughest conference in college baseball, Bell posted a 100 wRC+ (which equates to a .907 OPS, but college baseball is also a hitting paradise), blasted 10 bombs, and played incredible defense at short for the Wildcats. While the results don’t pop off the page, what has many scouts and analysts so excited about Bell is his underlying metrics, which suggest a big breakout coming in 2026.

Bell’s exit velocities were among the best of anyone in the country, ripping the ball from both the left and the right side of the plate. He also does an excellent job at pulling fly balls, helping to maximize his power output. Bell has a very patient approach at the plate, perhaps even too patient sometimes, causing him to miss his pitches. The hit tool will be the determining factor in how high Bell goes in the draft this July, as he struck out 22.3% of the time in 2025 and had a BB/K ratio of just 0.41. I am confident in his second go-around against SEC pitching this spring that he will improve these numbers and make me even more confident in his future hitting ability at the next level.

Defensively, Bell has both a great arm and range at shortstop, handling the position beautifully in 2025 for Kentucky. Fans may be concerned about taking another shortstop when Willits was our first round selection last year, but the reality is the best athletes on the field generally end up playing shortstop, and they should be able to transition to other, easier positions smoothly when they enter pro ball. Bell has both the defensive ability and the athleticism to move to second base or third base in pro ball if needed, and I expect he could handle a corner outfield spot as well if that is where his career takes him.

Everything about Bell’s game, from his athleticism, to his defensive ability at shortstop, to his top-end exit velocities, makes me believe he is the kind of prospect Paul Toboni will be targeting in his first draft with the Washington Nationals. I expect Toboni and his staff will be keeping a keen eye on how he progresses in his second season at Kentucky, and perhaps will even make their way out to Lexington to get a look at him as the 2026 college baseball season gets rolling.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/gen...-toboni-and-washington-nationals-draft-target

 

[Washington Nationals]

Could Luis Perales make an impact for the Washington Nationals earlier than expected?

One of the most interesting moves the Nats have made this offseason is when they acquired Luis Perales from the Red Sox for Jake Bennett. It was a rare prospect for prospect trade, which saw the Nats acquire Perales, who has an electric arm. Jake Bennett was seen as the safer prospect though.

Despite being seen as the riskier prospect of the two, Luis Perales has a chance to be an impactful big leaguer in 2026. It is no secret that the Nationals need bullpen help and if they choose to make Perales a reliever, he could be an impactful one. His frame, velocity and inconsistent control makes the bullpen a natural home.

So far in his professional career Perales has been developed as a starter. He has made 47 career appearances, with 43 of those being starts. If he hits his ceiling, Perales has the chance to be a number two starter. However, he could make a very quick impact if he is unleashed in the bullpen.

His raw stuff is absolutely mesmerizing. Perales showed his stuff was as dynamic as ever coming off of Tommy John Surgery. In his first appearance back, he actually mowed down the Nats Triple-A lineup without even throwing a fastball. Yohandy Morales, Nick Schnell and Trey Lipscomb were quickly dispatched by Perales in his first outing back.

Here’s video of every pitch from Red Sox RHP Luis Perales’s electric debut tonight for Worcester: 1 IP, 3 K. 11 pitches/10 strikes. pic.twitter.com/4CdtkAxodI

— Ian Cundall (@IanCundall) September 18, 2025

As you can see, Perales can dominate when he is on his game. He was not even throwing his fastball, which is probably his best pitch. The heater sits in the upper 90’s and routinely touches triple digits. In the AFL, he hit 100 mph 20 times. The command was spotty, but that is often the last thing to come back in Tommy John recovery.

The numbers were not great for Perales in the AFL, but the flashes were still there. He can totally overwhelm guys who have good contact skills as well. Sam Antonacci is a White Sox prospect known for his hitting ability. Perales mowed him down on three pitches when they faced off. That stuff can play at any level.

Luis Perales blows three pitches by Sam Antonacci to open up the game.

Four seamer at 98.4 MLB
Cutter at 92.3 MPH
Four seamer at 100.3 MPH pic.twitter.com/i7QI8bMYBS

— Aram Leighton (@AramLeighton8) October 14, 2025

Another reason why he could make an impact in 2026 comes down to numbers. Perales already has a spot on the Nats 40 man roster. He also only has one, maybe two option years remaining. Due to his Tommy John Surgery, the Nats may be able to get an extra option year.

Regardless, the Nats do not want to simply waste 40 man roster spots. They are incentivized to use Perales in the big leagues as soon as he is ready. If he is even around the zone, he will be one of the Nats better relievers.

His stuff is just so dominant. The pitch grades absolutely love Perales. His fastball has an elite combination of velocity and carry. That makes it a plus-plus pitch on stuff models. However, he does not command it very well. Perales actually has a better feel for his cutter, which is also a nasty pitch.

Luis Perales (BOS) continues to look excellent following his return from TJS

In the AFL today, his fastball averaged 99 MPH with elite ride and his breaking balls graded out well. The Red Sox have a gem here! pic.twitter.com/egLKrALIQS

— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) October 15, 2025

This profile just screams reliever, which is probably why the Red Sox traded him. Jake Bennett is a high probability starter, even if he is unlikely to be anything more than a 4 starter. Perales is a bit more of a mystery box. He could be an inconsistent middle reliever, he could be a closer, or he could be a starter.

One thing the Nats could do is use him in a bullpen role early on while keeping the door open for a return to the rotation down the road. We are seeing more bullpen to rotation conversions in recent years. Perales could be the Nats closer for a while and then move to the rotation down the road.

His arm talent makes him a super exciting pickup for Paul Toboni and the Nats. Despite being pretty raw, he can be in the big leagues quickly. Perales turns 23 in April and has pitched in AAA. It may take him a bit to be acclimated, but I think we will see Luis Perales in a Nats uniform at some point in 2026.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/gen...act-for-washington-nationals-earlier-expected

 

[Washington Nationals]

Can Yohandy Morales make his mark on the Washington Nationals in 2026?

There has been a lot of conversation around what the Nationals could do at the first base position in 2026. Most have assumed that the Nats would bring in some sort of veteran option at the position. Toboni hinted at that idea during the Winter Meetings. However, as we get deeper into the offseason, we need to explore some of the internal solutions.

The guy I want to look at today is Yohandy Morales. Despite having some strong pedigree and decent performance, he has gotten lost in the shuffle a bit. Morales was a second round pick out of the University of Miami back in 2023. He has slowly worked his way up the ladder the last couple of years, making his way to Triple-A in 2025.

Morales has never blown up as a prospect, but he has never been awful either. In his Minor League career, Morales has hit .285 with an .800 OPS. While he has plenty of raw power, it has not totally shown up in games yet, with just 22 homers in 944 professional at bats. When he gets a hold of one, it can go a long way though.

️ YOHANDY MORALES IS ON A TEAR!!! Walk-off 3-run ! pic.twitter.com/B0OYFCFpIG

— Allsports Roc (@AllsportsRoc) July 13, 2025

Drafted as a third baseman, Morales has been playing more first base lately. He can still play some third, but is probably a better fit at first base. As a first baseman, there is going to be a lot of pressure on his bat. There are questions about whether the bat is good enough to survive as an MLB first baseman. That is why he has slowly slid down the Nats prospect rankings.

Right now, Morales is the Nats 21st ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline. Given his pedigree and solid performance, that seems a bit surprising on face value. However, as you dig into the offensive profile, you begin to find some red flags.

Morales had a strong start to the season at AA, but following a promotion to AAA, he ran into some problems. He began to get exposed a bit by higher level pitching. Morales struck out over 30% of the time and hit the ball on the ground over 50% of the time in Rochester. That is a dangerous combination, especially for a bat first prospect.

Morales actually tapped into more power this year, slugging a career high 15 homers. However, he still has a lot to figure out to become the Nats long term answer at first base. Scouts have concerns about Morales’ long swing, and some think he needs a complete swing change to survive at the next level.

His swing makes him late on a lot of pitches. Morales hardly ever pulls the ball in the air and often gets beat to the spot by premium velocity. With the new regime in place, there is a better chance that Morales can make those necessary adjustments. It did not seem like his swing changed much the past couple years despite the scouts concerns.

Interestingly, Morales has been playing some Winter League ball over in Puerto Rico, and he has been doing well in a small sample size. In his first 7 games, Morales is hitting .387. Puerto Rican winter ball is not as competitive as the Dominican winter league, but it is still nice to see him doing well.

Yohandy Morales in the Puerto Rican League:

7 G
32 PA
12 Hits
.387 AVG
.406 OBP
.548 SLG
.955 OPS
3 2B
3 RBI

The Nationals No. 18 prospect is coming off of a '25 season where he hit 15 HR with a 109 wRC+ between AA/AAA. pic.twitter.com/0DTbFQmBlh

— Tobey Schulman (@tschulmanreport) December 23, 2025

I have my questions about his profile and it is pretty clear he needs to make some adjustments. However, if those adjustments do come, he could be a breakout candidate. The exit velocities are elite, which means he would have plenty of home run power if he put the ball in the air more. At 24 years old, 2026 is going to be a big year for him.

Yohandy Morales is one of the players I am most interested in seeing during Spring Training. This feels like the year where Morales either takes that next step and becomes a big leaguer or becomes a bit of a non-factor in the organization. He has kept his head above water, but this is the year where he needs to prove he can become a big leaguer.

If Morales has a big year, he can stake his claim to the first base spot, but he needs to make improvements. He is at a crossroads in his career right now. The new player development team could be the best thing that has ever happened to him though. I am interested to see how his season goes because it will tell us a lot about him, for better or for worse.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...orales-make-mark-on-washington-nationals-2026

 

[Washington Nationals]

Who will be the Washington Nationals utility infielder in 2026?

One position we have not talked about too much this offseason is the utility infield spot. Bench spots are not the sexiest thing to talk about, but they can be very important. The Nats actually have three players that have a chance to fill that utility infield spot. Those players are Nasim Nunez, Orelvis Martinez and Jose Tena.

Unless the Nats bring in another player, like a Willi Castro, these guys are going to have a camp battle. All three have pretty unique skillsets and would bring different things to the table. How each of these guys perform this spring will tell us a lot about who wins the job.

Right now, you have to say that Nasim Nunez is the favorite to win this job. He has always been a great defender, but Nunez had an unexpected power surge. The defensive ace exploded for four homers in 39 at bats in September, which were the first four of his MLB career.

This really came out of absolutely nowhere because he only had 9 career minor league homers in over 1,500 career at bats. Is this power at all sustainable? If it is, Nunez is a very valuable player. He put up 0.8 fWAR in just 39 games last year. If Nunez can just tread water as a hitter, the defense makes him very valuable.

I hope they find a way to keep Nasim Nunez as a bench piece

The energy he brings is valuable on its own pic.twitter.com/RAk3Pqwg1i

— Kev (@klwoodjr) November 10, 2025

Nunez is also a great clubhouse presence, which is something you want from a bench guy. His energy is contagious and seems to have a strong impact on the other young players. The only real question is the offense because this power could be a blip on the radar. His bat speed was up significantly in 2025, so there is reason to believe he could hit for at least some power. Nunez is a shortstop, but can play second and probably third base. He has also gotten reps in center field before.

The next candidate has a very different profile to Nunez. Orelvis Martinez was a former top 100 prospect for the Blue Jays. However, after a steroid suspension and a rough 2025, he was let go by the club. The Nats picked him up as a minor league free agent and gave him a Spring Training invite. He ranks as the Nats 20th best prospect according to Pipeline.

Martinez can play second or third base, but is known for his jaw dropping power. When he is at his best, Martinez has elite power upside. The 24 year old has hit 123 career minor league home runs. Martinez also destroys left handed pitching, so he could be a platoon partner for Luis Garcia Jr. at second base.

ORELVIS. MARTINEZ. GRAND. SLAM.

469FT | 113.8mph pic.twitter.com/bXSL7vIYMq

— Buffalo Bisons (@BuffaloBisons) April 17, 2024

However, there are some red flags here. After a steroid suspension, his production fell off a cliff in 2025. He posted OPS numbers over .800 in AAA in 2023 and 2024, but that fell to .636 in 2025. Was he just a product of PED’s?

I guess the Nats are willing to find out. He is probably going to start the season in AAA, but if he has a strong spring, he has a chance to win a job. Martinez is not a great defender, but he can play a couple different positions. If he can get back to what he was before 2025, this could be a real nice pickup for the Nats.

The last guy I want to discuss is someone Nats fans should be familiar with. That would be Jose Tena. Since coming over as part of the Lane Thomas trade, Tena has had moments, but has not been able to put it all together.

Things are getting wild!

José Tena puts the @Nationals ahead pic.twitter.com/vRmnQvd78o

— MLB (@MLB) May 6, 2025

He seems like he should be a better hitter than he is. Despite not hitting any homers in the MLB last year, he hits the ball hard. His contact skills are pretty solid as well. However, he has been unable to lift the ball to the pull side in his MLB career. His career air pull percentage of 6.7% is 10% below the league average.

If he can unlock that skill, I think he could be a really nice hitter. The bat is going to have to do the lifting because his glove is not amazing. He can play second base, third base and even shortstop, but he is not great at any of those spots. Tena put up -5 outs above average last year.

Tena seems to be on the outside looking in here. He would be yet another left handed bat on a team that needs righties. Tena does not have the defense of Nunez or the power of Martinez. There are skills here and he could play a role at some point this season, but he will likely start this year at AAA.

If I had to guess, Nasim Nunez would be the Nats utility infielder to start 2025. He just checks the most boxes. Nunez is a stellar defender, which the Nats really need. He also showed some offensive promise down the stretch. There is a chance the hitting was just a flash in the pan, but he deserves a shot as a full time big leaguer.

Nunez should have the job if he has a good spring, but this is a situation worth monitoring. We still don’t know how the new regime values some of these players, so Spring Training will be very interesting. I am looking forward to seeing how this shakes out.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/gen...e-washington-nationals-utility-infielder-2026

 

[Washington Nationals]

What to know about the Washington Nationals 2026 international signings

Every year MLB teams sign youngsters out of Latin America looking for the next Juan Soto or Ronald Acuna. Hitting on these international prospects is an important part of building a strong farm system. The signing deadline for these prospects is on January 15th. Here is what we know about the Nats international free agent class so far.

Despite the fact that these kids are only 16 when they sign, teams have verbal agreements with these players years in advance. You can argue about the morality of that process, but it is what all the teams do. With that in mind, we have a pretty good idea of who the Nats are going to sign on January 15th.

According to reports, the Nats are signing at least 10 players, maybe more. Last season they signed 14 players. So far, last year’s international class is performing better than the prior ones. After hitting on Victor Robles, Luis Garcia Jr., and of course Juan Soto in the span of a few years, the Nats Latin American pipeline has dried up.

We are 14 days away from international signing day! Last Nats class had 14 players. German and De La Cruz posted some of the best numbers in Nats DSL history and Cortesia had a good year when healthy too. I know of 10 signings so far for 2026 hopefully this class is just as good. pic.twitter.com/oK8YzCa45X

— Nationals Source (@NationalsSource) January 2, 2026

The Nats have seen plenty of seven figure signings flame out in recent years. Names like Armando Cruz, Victor Hurtato and Cristhian Vaquero have failed to live up to expectations so far. However, there were some positive signs last year. Marconi German only signed for $400,000, but was one of the most productive players in the DSL. Big money signing Brayan Cortesia also had a solid season in the Dominican.

That brings us to 2026, where the Nationals appear to have two big ticket prospects lined up to sign. Samil Serrano and Isaias Suarez are the Nats biggest signings. Both are Dominican outfielders with projectable skillsets. MLB Pipeline ranks Serrano as the 26th best player in the class and Suarez as the 39th best player.

Baseball America is a bit higher on both of them. In an update that just came out today, Serrano ranked as the 17th best player in the class, while Suarez was ranked 19th. It seems like both are trending upwards which is exciting to see. Hopefully both guys can continue to make big improvements.

Serrano is held in slightly higher regard by both BA and Pipeline. The reason for that is his hitting ability. Scouts see Serrano as a pretty natural hitter with a smooth swing. There is not much power yet, but at 6’3 175 pounds, there is plenty of room for him to add strength. While he is not a burner, scouts like his glove in the outfield. He has great instincts and has a chance to stick in center field.

Here’s another look at OFer Samil Serrano. He’s ranked 26th in pipelines top 50 international prospects and will officially be a National in January. pic.twitter.com/KwCHY0Zmer

— Nationals Source (@NationalsSource) October 3, 2025

Given his lack of speed, there is a chance he moves to a corner. If that happens, his power will have to improve, but he is only 17. There is so much that can happen in these kids’ development. This time last year, we were not talking much about Marconi German, and now he is a major breakout candidate.

Suarez’s game is driven by his natural athleticism. He is a great runner and athlete, which allows him to thrive out in center field. At 6’2 165 pounds, he is also highly projectable. Suarez has the chance to be a plus defender in center field according to BA. The offense appears to be more of a work in progress, but he does have solid tools.

OF Isaias Suarez is going to be one of the top signings in this upcoming IFA class for the Nats. The signing will be official on January 15th. pic.twitter.com/CdVuovOzea

— Nationals Source (@NationalsSource) December 26, 2025

BA notes that he is an aggressive hitter, who scouts are split on offensively. He shows good bat speed and has power upside, but there is risk as well. Suarez seems to be a real boom or bust prospect, even for an IFA. If he hits, he could be a toolsy big league center fielder. However, there is a decent chance he flames out pretty quickly.

In the IFA market, there are always going to be more misses than hits. It is so hard to tell what a player will be at 16 or 17 years old. These kids are still growing both physically and mentally. However, it is still interesting to keep up with this process.

It is not particularly likely, but there is a minuscule chance that Serrano and Suarez are the next Juan Soto and Victor Robles. That is why it is so exciting to follow this stuff. You see plenty of flameouts, but you also might find the next big thing. The Nats will sign Serrano, Suarez and plenty of other IFA prospects on January 15th.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...hington-nationals-2026-international-signings

 

[Washington Nationals]

Could Jacob Young be a surprise trade chip for the Washington Nationals?

It has been a while since the Nats have made a move, but that should change before too long. There are some obvious moves that could occur, like signing a first baseman or trading MacKenzie Gore. However, one move that is not as obvious is trading Jacob Young. It is far from a certainty, but it would be something I would look out for.

Just to be clear, there are not any rumors around a Young trade. This is just something I think could make sense. There are no rumors now, but you could say the same thing about Jose A. Ferrer before he got dealt. Young’s narrow skillset could be more useful for a contender than a rebuilding team.

As we all know, Jacob Young is an elite defender out in center field. Over the past two seasons, Young has compiled 34 outs above average. That is the third most in all of baseball since the start of 2024, only behind Bobby Witt Jr. and Pete Crow-Armstrong. There are no questions about the glove.

Along with grading out very well, Young has a flair for the dramatic. In 2025, Young made some of the craziest catches I have ever seen. His play against the Mets where he kicked the ball into his glove to make the catch was wild. MLB ranked it as the 11th best play of the season. Young had multiple plays inside their top 100.

Top Plays of 2025: No. 11

Jacob Young: kick save and a beauty! pic.twitter.com/4p43nRi8jK

— MLB (@MLB) November 30, 2025

However, things are not as pretty on the offensive side of the ball. He was not amazing offensively in 2024, but did enough to make him quite valuable. A .256 average and .647 OPS is not great, but thanks to his defense, Young put up 2.7 fWAR in 2024. However, he took a step back in 2025, hitting .231 with a .583 OPS. There were long stretches where Young just felt like an automatic out.

He is a slap hitter, who just put the ball on the ground a ton in 2025. This lackluster offensive profile holds him back from being a true everyday player. To his credit, Young has been working on his offensive game this offseason. He went to Driveline, where he has been working on improving his swing mechanics. Hopefully those hours at the facility pay off, but it is far from a guarantee.

Check out Jacob Young putting in work at Driveline:

pic.twitter.com/gC5tGx5OYX

— Kev (@klwoodjr) November 12, 2025

In all honesty, Young is probably more valuable as a role player on a contending team than an everyday starter on a bad team. That is why a trade makes a lot of sense. With James Wood, Dylan Crews, Daylen Lile, Christian Franklin, Robert Hassell and Young, the Nats have a lot of outfielders. They also claimed Joey Wiemer earlier today. This could make Young expendable.

His defensive profile and team control make him an attractive target for teams looking to improve their outfield defense. One team that really stands out to me is the San Francisco Giants. Oracle Park is a big stadium, so a defensive specialist in center field could be attractive to them.

The Giants outfield defense was not good last season, so they could be looking for some improvements. Jung Hoo Lee is the Giants center fielder right now. He is a good player, but I think Young could be a good partner for him.

Lee performed very well against right handed pitching, hitting .276 with a .774 OPS. Meanwhile, Young has been better against left handed pitching in his career. Lee and Young could be an impressive center field platoon in San Francisco.

The Giants also have a pretty deep farm system for the Nats to explore. If the Nats wanted a big league ready arm, they could ask for Blake Tidwell or Carson Whisenhunt. There are also high upside young arms in the system like Jacob Bresnahan, Keyner Martinez and Alberto Laroche.

There are also some offensive pieces I like, such as Parks Harbor and Bo Davidson. If the Nats wanted a big leaguer, guys like Luis Matos or Hayden Birdsong make sense as well. Both of those guys have shown big time flashes, but have not put it all together yet. Birdsong intrigues me because he has all the stuff in the world, but still needs development.

There are a lot of combinations here and a need for the Giants. That is why I like them a lot as a fit. A mock package could be something like Bresnahan and Parks Harbor for Young. The idea of trading Young for Birdsong straight up excites me as well.

Again, the Giants are not the only team that could make a move for Young. There is also a good chance that Jacob Young just does not get traded. I just think this move is more likely than it appears right now. A lot of the Nats offseason moves have just come out of nowhere. This could be the next one.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/nat...-surprise-trade-chip-for-washington-nationals

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals hire Jason Sinnarajah as the President of Business Operations

Yesterday Barry Svrluga reported that the Nats hired Jason Sinnarajah as the President of Business Operations. He was previously with the Kansas City Royals and has also worked for the Buffalo Bills. It looks like the new era of Nationals baseball is not just happening on the baseball operations side.

The Nationals are preparing to announce the hiring of Jason Sinnarajah as their president of business operations.

Sinnarajah comes from the Kansas City Royals and also has experience with the Buffalo Bills. He will report to ownership while Paul Toboni runs the baseball side.

— Barry Svrluga (@barrysvrluga) January 5, 2026

Obviously, baseball is more than just a sport, it is also a big business. Sports teams have a business side and a sporting side. Paul Toboni and Ani Kilambi will be running the baseball side of things, while Sinnarajah takes care of the business side.

However, these two sides of the operation are not totally separate either. Both sides of the franchise need to be working together. In a statement, Sinnarajah said he was excited to work alongside Toboni, which I found interesting.

Nationals have announced the hiring of Jason Sinnarajah as president of business operations, a new position at the same level of president of baseball operations Paul Toboni. Was previously Royals’ COO and Bills’ senior VP of business administration. pic.twitter.com/ndSzscvqmK

— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) January 6, 2026

Sinnarajah will report directly to ownership and clearly will play a big role in this operation. The business side of baseball is not really in my wheelhouse, but it is clear that he will be a big voice in the organization.

I like that he is an experienced leader who has worked in multiple different sports. He knows what a functioning operation looks like. Hopefully he can bring that here to the Nats.

Sinnarajah will play a big role in shaping what the ballpark experience is like. That was mentioned in the statement. There are certainly ways he could help liven up that experience.

Interestingly, Sinnarajah will not have the ability to hire one of his main deputies. The Nats already hired a chief revenue officer. Chris Zaber was hired from the Pittsburgh Penguins back in August. Assuming those two are aligned, there should not be much of an issue. However, things could get hairy if the alignment is not there.

Another fun part of this hire is the new Indian presence in the Nats organization. Between Sinnarajah and Ani Kilambi, the Nats have hired two men of Indian heritage to major positions in the organization. That is pretty cool and is a sign of baseball’s growth as a sport.

The Washington Nationals are embarking on a new era. That is now extending beyond just the team itself. Obviously, the Nats have a new front office and coaching staff, but their rebuild is expanding beyond that. The Lerner family is also rebuilding the business side of the operation as well. Hiring Jason Sinnarajah as the President of Business Operations is proof of that.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...n-sinnarajah-as-president-business-operations

 

[Washington Nationals]

What Would A Successful Rookie Season Look Like For Harry Ford?

After 4.5 years with Keibert Ruiz taking the bulk of the catching responsibilities, the Nationals will enter the 2026 season likely with a new starting catcher in Harry Ford, acquired from the Seattle Mariners this offseason for Jose A. Ferrer.

Ford brings with him a background of strong hitting performance in the minor leagues, led by his plus hit tool and solid power. Turning 23 before the beginning of the 2026 season, Ford is finally going to get a chance to be the regular backstop at the big league level, after being blocked by Cal Raleigh in the Mariners organization for many years.

With Ford now being the second-highest-ranked hitting prospect in the Nationals organization and the one who is closest to helping the big league club, there are lots of expectations. There will be sectors of fans who don’t expect too much from him and will just want to see him improve as the season goes along, and there will be fans who expect Ford to be a savior for this franchise and look like a rookie of the year candidate. But what would a truly “successful” rookie season look like for Ford?

For starters, projection metrics such as Fangraphs’ Steamer project Ford for a 97 wRC+, 0.3 defensive WAR, and 0.6 fWAR in 50 games played in 2026 (They still have Ruiz listed as the starter on the site, which Nats fans know is extremely unlikely). Extrapolating those numbers out across 125ish games would give Ford 1.5 fWAR in his rookie year campaign, which would tie Keibert Ruiz’s fWAR in his first full season, 2022.

Fangraphs’ other primary projection metric, THE BAT, is lower on Ford’s bat entering 2026, projecting him for an 86 wRC+, but higher on his defense, projecting him for 3.4 defensive WAR, coming out to a projection of 0.8 fWAR in 63 games played. Extrapolating these numbers out gives Ford 1.6 projected fWAR in his rookie campaign, just besting Ruiz’s rookie year fWAR.

Using these metrics, I think it is fair to define a successful rookie season for Harry Ford as one where he puts up at least 1 fWAR. It doesn’t matter how he does it, whether it be his bat that carries him there or his defense, but putting up 1 fWAR in 2026 would not only be a solid building block for Ford entering 2027, it would also be the best production the Nationals have gotten from the catchers position in years, as Ruiz has turned in 3 consecutive negative fWAR seasons.

Another way for Ford’s rookie season to be considered at least semi-successful would be for him to get a full season of reps that better prepare him for the rest of his career. Ford’s defense has always been graded anywhere from average to below average, and he was likely done with catching full-time if he remained with the Mariners organization.

Now with the Nats, Ford has the opportunity to prove he belongs as a full-time backstop and that he can be a positive defender behind the dish. The more reps Ford has at catcher in 2026 and the more mistakes he is allowed to make and grow from, the better off Ford and the Nats will be in the future because of it.

In the end, my only real hope for Harry Ford in his first season as a National is that he becomes acclimated to his new home, gets valuable experience that will set him up for future success, and, hopefully, rakes while he’s at it. It can be hard for young players to pack up everything and move across the country, especially when they have been with a club for 5 years, but I am confident Ford has or will realize what a great opportunity he has with the Nats in front of him.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/gen...successful-rookie-season-look-like-harry-ford

 

[Washington Nationals]

The three Washington Nationals players with the most to prove in 2026

After a disappointing 2025 season and a new regime coming in, most of the Nationals roster has a lot to prove. However, there are some players that are under more pressure than others. Players like CJ Abrams and James Wood had disappointing second halves, but they have still proven themselves. We are going to talk about three players who need to show proof of concept at the MLB level.

These three players are Dylan Crews, Brady House and Robert Hassell III. All of these guys are former top prospects and still quite young. However, they need to show more in 2026 to cement themselves as long term pieces for the Nats. If they do not prove themselves this year, it could be time for some uncomfortable conversations.

In my opinion, Dylan Crews is under the most pressure of anyone on the roster, and it is not particularly close. When Crews was picked second overall in 2023, he was supposed to be the face of the next era of Nationals baseball. Coming out of LSU, Crews was seen as one of the safest prospects in recent memory. His well rounded skillset did not appear to have many holes in it.

However, it has not been smooth sailing for the young outfielder. In 116 career MLB games, Crews is hitting just .211 with a .634 OPS. Even in the minors, Crews never dominated like he did in college. In 575 MILB at bats, Crews has an .800 OPS. That is not bad, but for a guy of his pedigree you would like to see him dominate.

Crews has still shown flashes of his high potential. At his best, Crews can be a spark plug who can do a bit of everything. He can be a fearless player who can turn singles into doubles and make some super fun plays. Crews also has clear power upside, with good bat speed and batted ball data.

High risk, high reward. Hustle double from Dylan Crews! pic.twitter.com/Tlgnd0dqYC

— Nationals Advisory (@nats_advisory) September 8, 2025

He is going to need to put it all together in 2026 though. The Nats have a lot of young outfielders in the organization. If Crews continues to struggle, his playing time might be taken. As a top prospect, Crews will get the benefit of the doubt for a while, but that grace does not last forever. Entering his age 24 season, Crews needs to show he can be a productive big leaguer before it is too late.

At just 22 years old, Brady House still has time on his side. However, his first big league stint was a bit concerning. We knew House had some rawness to his offensive game, but he struggled even more than anticipated. He hit just .234 with a .574 OPS in 73 games. The lack of plate discipline was predictable, but his lack of power was more unexpected.

In 261 at bats, House hit just four home runs. That is not ideal for a player known for his power. Due to his aggressive approach, he is unlikely to ever post great OBP numbers. He also has some swing and miss in his game, striking out 28.5% of the time. With that in mind, House is going to have to hit for power, or else his offensive game cannot function.

He has the raw power and hit 13 homers in 65 AAA games, so we know it is in there. House needs to show that power, or he will lose his grasp on the third base position. On the positive side of things, House is a very good defender at third base. He posted two outs above average last year and looked very comfortable at the hot corner.

Brady House logged 261 at-bats during his rookie season in ‘25…and while the Nats’ 3B struggled with a .574 OPS, he got valuable experience as a 22 y/o + collected 2 OAA.

— Sam Fosberg (@discussbaseball) January 4, 2026

However, you still need to have an offensive game to be a big league third baseman. House is still very young and has the tools. Historically, House has struggled when he reaches a new level before figuring it out in his second attempt. We saw that in Triple-A, where he struggled in 2024 before solving the level in 2025. Hopefully we can see that same progression in the MLB.

While Brady House and Dylan Crews are fighting to hold on to starting positions, Robert Hassell III is looking to hold onto a big league roster spot. Hassell, who was a key piece in the Juan Soto trade, has had an up and down journey through the minor leagues.

Hassell was a top 10 pick back in 2020. He was very good in the lower levels of the minors and established himself as a top 50 prospect. However, the young outfielder struggled with injuries and inconsistencies once he arrived in the Nats organization. He battled with a hamate injury which really impacted his production. Hassell posted OPS numbers below .650 in the minors in 2023 and 2024.

However, he turned a corner in AAA in 2025. While playing in the minor leagues, Hassell hit .310 with an .839 OPS. He was showing more power than he had in a while and looked more like the guy he was when he was in the Padres system.

That production did not translate to the MLB level though. Hassell hit just .223 with a .572 OPS in 70 games. He was known for his pure hitting ability in the minors, but Hassell struck out over 30% of the time at the big league level. That is a massive red flag for a player of his profile.

There were some stretches where Hassell showed flashes. He had a hot run right after being recalled from AAA for his second stint. It was clear he made some adjustments. However, those hot runs never lasted for long. With the Nats crowded outfield room, Hassell will have to perform if he wants to stay in the MLB.

ROBERT HASSELL III CAPS OFF A 10 PITCH AB WITH A 2 RUN SINGLE#Natitude pic.twitter.com/y09EIs8a5q

— SleeperNationals (@SleeperNats) May 31, 2025

He has lost a lot of the luster he had when he arrived in the Soto trade. There is no guarantee that he even makes the roster coming out of spring training. At 24 years old, now is the time for Hassell to show he is a big leaguer.

He will have to find some of that hitting ability he was known for. While Hassell is a solid defender and athlete, he is not elite in that regard either. The clock is ticking for Bobby Barrels. We have to see progress in 2026, or he will become an afterthought.

One of the exciting things about this 2026 team is that so many guys have a ton to prove. We are going to find out a lot about these guys. Paul Toboni seems to be using 2026 to evaluate what he has in house. Surely, he will be taking a close look at these three players. If they do not perform, Dylan Crews, Brady House and Robert Hassell III will be on the hot seat.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/gen...ington-nationals-players-with-most-prove-2026

 

[Washington Nationals]

Baseball America releases Washington Nationals top 30 prospect list

The great folks over at Baseball America just released new top 30 prospect lists for every team entering the 2026 season. Of course, that means the Nats have a new top 30 list. We don’t want to spoil too much, but I just wanted to highlight some of the rankings I found notable.

2026 Top 30 prospect lists are here!

See the rankings for every team: https://t.co/GhfYB6SGaL pic.twitter.com/phHplyL8pn

— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) January 7, 2026

If you have not already, make sure to subscribe to Baseball America. It is a great resource for prospect enthusiasts. They have up to date rankings and very good analysis. It is a really high level resource and it makes you a smarter baseball fan.

Getting into the list itself, there is no surprise at the top. Eli Willits is the Nats top prospect, and for good reason. The first overall pick showed his well rounded and polished skillset in his pro debut as a 17 year old. Willits is a top 25 prospect in baseball and a very exciting player for the Nats.

The first surprise on the list is how BA ranks the Nats 2-5 prospects. They have Jarlin Susana at 2, Harry Ford at 3, Luis Perales at 4 and Travis Sykora at 5. I am a bit surprised that Sykora is at the bottom of that group. All of them are in the same tier, but I would have Sykora above a guy like Perales.

However, it makes sense why he is lower. Sykora is likely to miss most, if not all of 2026 due to Tommy John Surgery. While Sykora was dominant in the lower levels, he has only thrown 4.2 innings above High-A and is recovering from an injury. If Sykora were healthy and had established himself in AA, he likely would be at number 2.

With 6 more today, MLB's No. 54 prospect Travis Sykora (@Nationals) has 76 K's in 44.1 IP this season pic.twitter.com/GTUJSQAgoM

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 29, 2025

You can still argue that he should be number two, as that group of prospects are all in the same tier. Sykora has the potential to be a front line starter, but the injury hurts his development. By the time Sykora comes back, he will be entering his age 23 season without much experience above A ball. However, Sykora has the potential to make this ranking look silly.

Going down the list, it is interesting that Seaver King still ranks as the 7th best prospect in the system. The former 10th overall pick had a down year in his first pro season. However, his premium athleticism still gives him a fairly high floor. King also showed some real progress in the Arizona Fall League.

One of the biggest risers in the system is outfielder Sam Petersen. Selected out of Iowa in the 8th round of the 2024 draft, Petersen was fantastic when he was on the field. He only played 57 games, but posted a .910 OPS when he was out there. Notably, he mostly played at High-A Wilmington, which is notoriously pitcher friendly.

Nationals' 2024 8th Rounder Sam Petersen caught my eye last night. Had 3 hits and a SB. I got plus run times on him. Handled 95-96 mph fastballs well and picked up spin. Got a late start to the year coming back from injury, but has been on since joining Wilmington. pic.twitter.com/UDnxIv2hGR

— Chris Clegg (@ChrisCleggMiLB) June 11, 2025

BA was impressed by this, ranking Petersen as the 12th best prospect in the system. They gave him 55 grades for both his hitting ability and his power. In the Nats system, Petersen was able to improve his exit velocities, despite going from metal to wood bats.

If he is able to stay on the field and produce like he did last season, Petersen could make another jump in the rankings. Right now, MLB Pipeline’s list has Petersen as the Nats 26th best prospect. I think BA’s ranking is more appropriate given his tools and production.

Seeing Petersen ahead of guys like Ethan Petry, Yohandy Morales and Caleb Lomavita is new, but it is warranted. He is one of the real sleepers in this system and a guy I love. Entering his age 23 season, I am excited to see what he can do and how much he can climb up the system.

In the bottom half of the list, there are a couple young DSL prospects that excite me. Marconi German is ranked 17th on the BA list after being one of the most productive players in the DSL. He is not the biggest guy, but he has a great feel for hitting and some nice athleticism. If he can produce once he comes stateside, German will shoot up the rankings.

At 28th, BA listed a guy I am not very familiar with in Nauris De La Cruz. The 18 year old was signed last year, and like German he had a strong season in the DSL. BA notes his patient approach at the plate and impressive bat speed. Given his 40 hit tool grade, there is plenty of risk. However, De La Cruz is a name to watch.

Some other rankings I found interesting were Phillip Glasser making the list at 27. He may not have ideal tools, but Glasser is a gamer who has always hit. Glasser can play the infield or outfield, so maybe he can become a bench utility piece.

Caleb Lomavita at 18 was a little lower than I thought. BA notes that he is trending towards being a bat first backup catcher. That is a little disappointing for a guy the Nats spent a high pick on.

Andrew Pinckney all the way at 14 and above a guy like Christian Franklin surprises me a bit. He has some crazy tools, but his hitting ability is a question mark, with BA giving him a 30 hit grade. However, all of his four other tools are 55 or better, with his arm getting an 80 grade. Seems like they think he is a pretty safe bet to become a toolsy fourth outfielder.

One guy who I thought was snubbed from the list was Eriq Swan. He came over as part of the deal that sent Alex Call to the Dodgers. Swan has a big arm, with an upper 90’s fastball and a slider that flashes plus. However, his control is a pretty big question mark and he is already 24 despite not pitching above High-A yet. I see where BA is coming from, but I would put Swan somewhere in the 20’s because of his potential as a reliever.

Overall, this is a very interesting list. You guys should check out the whole thing over on the BA website. Make sure to give them a subscription as well. Their rankings are great and the scouting blurbs they write are even better. If you want to learn more about prospects, make sure to check them out.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...a-releases-washington-nationals-prospect-list

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals agree to arbitration deals with MacKenzie Gore and CJ Abrams

Two of the biggest names on the Nationals have avoided arbitration and have come to terms on deals for the 2026 season. Paul Toboni was able to avoid arbitration with both CJ Abrams and MacKenzie Gore. With their salaries confirmed for 2026, it could potentially kick start trade talks, especially for Gore.

Earlier today, Andrew Golden reported that the Nationals and CJ Abrams agreed to a $4.2 million deal to avoid arbitration. This is Abrams first year in arbitration, which is why the number is a bit lower.

CJ Abrams and the Nationals have agreed at $4.2 million to avoid arbitration, per source.

— Andrew Golden (@andrewcgolden) January 8, 2026

According to the projections, it seems like the Nats got a good deal here. MLB Trade Rumors projected Abrams to make $5.6 million in arbitration. Given it was Abrams first arb year, that projection seemed high. That turned out to be true, as Abrams signed for $1.4 million less than that. It is also good to see the two sides come together to make a deal without any drama.

Relationships can be harmed in the arbitration process. If the two sides can’t come to an agreement, they go to an arbitration court. In that hearing, the team is basically arguing about why they should pay a player less. It does not sound like a fun situation to be in.

While Abrams got less than his projection, MacKenzie Gore made almost a million dollars more than expected. MLB Trade Rumors projected he would make $4.7 million. However, Gore and the Nats agreed to a deal that pays him $5.6 million.

Source: MacKenzie Gore and the Nationals have agreed at $5.6 million to avoid arbitration.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) January 8, 2026

Unlike Abrams, Gore is in his second year of arbitration. Last season, Gore made $2.89 million. After a season where Gore made the All-Star team, he is getting a nice raise. It feels like MLB Trade Rumors projection for Gore would have been more accurate for Abrams and vice versa.

Earlier in the offseason, the Nats agreed to terms with Josiah Gray and Riley Adams. Gray is making $1.35 million, the same amount as last season, which he missed recovering from Tommy John Surgery. Adams is on a split deal that pays him $1 million if he is in the MLB and $500K if he is in the minors.

Luis Garcia Jr., Cade Cavalli and Jake Irvin are the only Nats in arbitration yet to sign. Cavalli and Irvin are in the first year of arbitration, which usually gets handled smoothly. However, Garcia is later in the process. I would not be surprised if the Nats go to arbitration with Garcia.

The $7 million dollar projection for Garcia is high, which is why he was considered a non-tender candidate. However, the Nats decided to tender him a contract. It is likely that the Nats will want to get Garcia on a deal under that $7 million number. We will see how that goes.

Arbitration is an important part of the offseason and these deals give us a better picture of the Nats salary structure. It may also help facilitate a MacKenzie Gore trade now that other teams know what he is making next year and do not have to have an arbitration battle. We will update you guys if other players sign.

UPDATE: The Nationals have announced they have signed deals with Abrams, Gore and Jake Irvin. They have until 8 PM to come to agreements with Cavalli and Garcia. Irvin’s deal is at $2.8 million.

The Nationals have avoided salary arbitration and agreed to terms on one-year contracts with the following players:

-CJ Abrams
-MacKenzie Gore
-Jake Irvin

— Nationals Communications (@NationalsComms) January 8, 2026

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/lat...ee-arbitration-deals-mackenzie-gore-cj-abrams

 

[Washington Nationals]

After the Edward Cabrera trade will the Washington Nationals move MacKenzie Gore soon?

Yesterday, we saw a big name starting pitcher get traded by an NL East team, but it was not MacKenzie Gore. Instead, the Marlins decided to trade Edward Cabrera to the Cubs for a prospect package headlined by outfielder Owen Caissie. This takes another potential Gore suitor out of contention, while also setting the market for the left hander.

TRADE The Cubs are trading their No. 1 prospect, OF Owen Caissie, plus two more prospects to the Marlins in exchange for RHP Edward Cabrera, per multiple reports pic.twitter.com/VXhWyviqCQ

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) January 7, 2026

Like Shane Baz, who was traded a couple weeks ago, Cabrera’s trade value is comparable to Gore’s. That means it is important to keep an eye on the package. In the Baz trade, the Rays went for quantity over quality. There was not a true headliner in that package, but the Rays got five solid pieces.

The Marlins went for a different approach. Owen Caissie was by far the most valuable piece in the return. He is a top 50 prospect according to MLB Pipeline and has already made his MLB debut. Caissie has spent multiple years in AAA and would have gotten more time in the MLB if the Cubs did not have such a crowded outfield.

The Marlins decided to pick up a plug and play option for their outfield which also has a very high ceiling. Neither of the other two pieces in the deal are anything special, but Caissie is a big get for the Fish. The Cabrera and Baz deals give the Nats two different routes to explore in a Gore deal. They can go for quantity and deepen their system while hoping one of the guys breaks out. The other option is to take a swing on a true blue chip guy.

I would prefer to chase the blue chip talent. If a guy like Bryce Eldridge from the Giants is available, I would take a big swing on him. It is important to note that Gore probably has slightly more value than Cabrera and Baz. Cabrera was the most effective of the three pitchers in 2025, but has pretty serious injury question marks. Baz also has injury concerns and is not a proven commodity.

Gore provides teams with a greater proof of concept, as well as serious upside. He has thrown at least 135 innings in each of the last three seasons. Gore has also shown an All-Star ceiling. Despite having a bit less team control than Baz or Cabrera, he should be slightly more valuable. Paul Toboni seems to understand this, with Chelsea Janes saying his asking price is high.

Cabrera is a year older than MacKenzie Gore with less reliable health track record and one more year of control. Keep hearing Nats are asking the moon for Gore. Seeing this return — as well as the return Rays got for three years of Shane Baz — makes me think they’re right to https://t.co/23WHmy2BN5

— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) January 7, 2026

That high asking price is probably why Gore has not been dealt yet. Sure, he has question marks, but Baz and Cabrera also do. It seems like Toboni wants a decent bit more in return for Gore than those guys got. That makes sense and good for Toboni for sticking to his guns.

When Gore is right, he can be one of the better left handed starters in the sport. Over the last two seasons, Gore is one of six southpaws with a k/9 over 10. The other five names are some of the premier starters in our game. This shows just how high Gore’s upside is.

MacKenzie Gore is 1 of 6 left-handed SP with 10+ K/9 over the past two seasons

One of the nastiest southpaws in the sport could be on the move this offseason pic.twitter.com/THdjDeQZZT

— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) January 7, 2026

As Nats fans know, Gore has not put it all together yet. It looked like he had in 2025, when he made his first All-Star team. However, Gore fell off a cliff in the second half, a common theme for the southpaw. Hitting a wall midseason has become an alarming pattern for Gore, and it is something rival teams are well aware of.

Despite this, as well as Gore only having two years of team control, the Nats do not have to move him. Lance Brozdowski pointed out that Toboni might want to make some adjustments with Gore to improve his value going into the deadline. He pointed to dropping his fastball usage as an example of something they could do.

Have to wonder whether Toboni + Mathews see adjustments to make him even better (stop throwing so much fastball) and the price is the same or more come deadline, right?

— Lance Brozdowski (@LanceBroz) January 7, 2026

There is logic here, but it is also quite risky. Pitchers come with serious injury risk, and if Gore suffers a major injury, the value would be pretty much gone. Gore would have to stay healthy and pitch very well for this gamble to pay off.

Even if Gore does pitch well in the first half, how much would that prove? We have seen Gore come out of the gates red hot the past few seasons. Teams know what Gore can do the first 2-3 months of the season. Would a strong first half really improve his value that much?

Teams value what they have seen most recently, but they will also be aware of Gore’s history. If Gore’s success comes with usage tweaks, that could help calm doubts, but they would still exist. I think the Nats should trade Gore this offseason and get what they can.

There is a chance that Gore has more value at the deadline, but that is a major risk. He would have to stay healthy, perform very well with a new arsenal and have a team that is willing to look past his history of second half woes. I don’t think the difference in value will be enough to make up for the risk.

With starting pitchers coming off the board, there should be plenty of teams calling the Nats about Gore. The Giants and Yankees are two teams that would certainly be interested. I still like my theory that the A’s could be a surprise suitor as well.

Regardless of the suitors, I think the Nats should be looking to move Gore. If the offers are not there, you can hold onto him. However, I would be pretty surprised if teams are not very interested in him. They are probably able to get slightly more than the returns for Cabrera and Baz. Assuming that is on the table, the Nats should trade MacKenzie Gore.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/gen...washington-nationals-move-mackenzie-gore-soon

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals claim Joey Wiemer off of waivers

Paul Toboni has made his first move of 2026. The Nats claimed Joey Wiemer off of waivers from the San Francisco Giants. Wiemer was a former top 100 prospect in the Brewers system, but his unrefined offensive game has led to him struggling to lock down an MLB role.

Sources: The Nationals have claimed outfielder Joey Wiemer off waivers. Wiemer, a former top prospect with the Brewers, was most recently designated for assignment by the Giants.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) January 5, 2026

The Nats appear to be giving Wiemer a chance. He is a 6’4 226 pound outfielder with elite athleticism. However, he has big whiff and plate discipline issues. So far in his career, the 26 year old has played for the Brewers, the Reds and the Marlins. He was picked up by the Giants this offseason, but was later DFA’d. Now he is with the Nats.

Wiemer’s best tools are his legs and his glove. Last season, Wiemer posted three outs above average in just 27 games. When he got real playing time back in 2023, Wiemer had a fielding run value of +10. His range combined with an absolute cannon of an arm makes him a weapon in the outfield.

Nats have claimed Joey Wiemer off waivers

pic.twitter.com/ExLoBSUJNY

— Kev (@klwoodjr) January 5, 2026

Wiemer also has big time power. In 499 career plate appearances, Wiemer has 16 homers. His exit velocities are also very good. However, his aggression and strikeouts have made him a liability at the plate. For his career, Wiemer has a .203 average with a .638 OPS.

Last season, Wiemer was solid in a brief stint with the Marlins. He posted a .715 OPS in 61 PA’s. However, he did strike out 37.7% of the time and only walked 3.3% of the time. At the plate, you just hope Wiemer can run into one.

However, his splits do intrigue me a bit. Wiemer is much better against left handed pitching. For his career, Wiemer has a .255 average with a .779 OPS against lefties. Meanwhile, he has a .178 average with a .559 OPS against righties.

If Wiemer sticks on the roster, he will probably be a platoon center fielder. Given the volume of outfielders the Nats have, I would not be surprised if he is DFA’d again at some point. The Nats probably hope he would go unclaimed and be a part of their system.

With this move, the Nats 40 man roster is full. If/when the Nats make another move, they are going to have to DFA somebody. To be honest, there are plenty of candidates, including Wiemer himself. Hopefully Joey Wiemer can establish himself as a strong center field defender who can crush lefties.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...ngton-nationals-claim-joey-wiemer-off-waivers

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals claim Blue Jays RHP Paxton Schultz off of waivers

After claiming Joey Wiemer on Monday, Paul Toboni is using the waiver wire again. This time he has claimed Blue Jays pitcher Paxton Schultz. I like this claim, and think Schultz will have a place on the roster. He is a swing man, who can fill a variety of roles and also has solid stuff.

The Nationals have claimed pitcher Paxton Schultz off waivers, per source.

Schultz pitched in 13 games for the Toronto Blue Jays last season. Was used as a reliever/opener in 2025. He was DFA’d so Toronto could clear space on their roster for Kazuma Okamoto.

— Andrew Golden (@andrewcgolden) January 9, 2026

Last season, Schultz made his debut for the Blue Jays, making 13 appearances, with two of them being starts. He held his own at the MLB level posting a respectable 4.38 ERA in 24.2 innings. Schultz’s combination of strikeouts and solid command makes him an interesting arm.

With the Blue Jays, Schultz struck out 25.5% of hitters and walked just 7.3% of them. He does this with a strong four pitch mix. His fastball averaged a touch below 94 MPH, but the pitch has a lot of carry. That movement profile is why Schultz had a 26.3% whiff rate on his heater. His most used secondary pitch is a cutter, which also has good whiff numbers. Schultz throws a changeup, mostly to lefties and a slider, mostly to righties. It is a solid mix that can get results in the MLB.

Recently-DFA'd RHP Paxton Schultz could be worth a #Padres waiver claim.

In 2025 at the MLB level:
– 25.5% K | 7.3% BB
– 27.4% Whiff & Chase (32.7% vs FC)
– 1.46 HR/9, .333 BABIP can indicate positive regression

Has 2 MiLB options left, solid swingman addition? pic.twitter.com/fTZ3531TtD

— Diego Garcia (@StatNerd_Base) January 5, 2026

He may not have a true plus pitch, but he has a solid mix and good control. Schultz gives up more hard contact and home runs than you would like to see though. He struggled with the long ball in his first MLB stint.

Schultz will be a multi inning relief option for the Nats. With guys like Schultz, Brad Lord, Andrew Alvarez and Mitchell Parker, I wonder if the Nats get more creative in how they deploy their pitchers. Do not be surprised if we see more bullpen games in 2026.

At 28, Schultz is not a youngster, but he is not old either. There could be more untapped potential, though I am not sure how much. He grinded his way to the MLB as a former 14th round pick, earning everything he has gotten.

Nats have claimed Paxton Schultz off waivers

Check out his story:

pic.twitter.com/SgQRSj7tr0

— Kev (@klwoodjr) January 9, 2026

I think Schultz has a good chance of sticking on the Nats roster for a while. He has two option years, so he can go up and down when needed. Optionable arms are something GM’s like to have. It gives them more flexibility. If the Nats just need innings to fill, they can turn to Schultz.

This claim is probably going to be more impactful than the Wiemer claim. Schultz has a clearer path to playing time and has been more productive. He may not be a flashy piece, but Paxton Schultz will fill a role for the Washington Nationals.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/lat...ls-claim-blue-jays-paxton-schultz-off-waivers

 

[Washington Nationals]

The Washington Nationals have an array of hybrid arms

The waiver claim of Paxton Schultz continues an interesting trend for the Washington Nationals. They now have quite a few pitchers that profile well in a multi-inning relief role. This makes me think that the Nats may get creative in how they use their pitchers in 2026.

Last season, the Nats used a standard five man rotation and a conventional bullpen structure. The rotation changed based on who was available, but the Nats plan was to have their starters go at least five innings if possible. Based on the makeup of the pitching staff, that may change in 2026. We wrote about this concept about a month ago.

With a more analytical mind in Paul Toboni running the show, the Nats might get more creative in how they distribute innings. I have a feeling they will use two long relief types to get through six innings much more this season. They have the arms to do this and this strategy might be the best way to maximize them.

Paxton Schultz is a perfect example of this. Last season, he made 13 appearances and two starts. He got more than three outs in 8 of his 13 outings. Schultz spent most of his Minor League career as a starter, before becoming a swingman in 2024. He has a four pitch mix that allows him to go through a lineup more than once as well. Schultz is just a Swiss Army Knife type of an arm.

Nats claim Paxton Shultz

In 24.2 IP, he showed good underlying batted-ball metrics + a knack for soft contact

His biggest knock is “Stuff” sporting below average velo and movement across the board

We’d expect him to add a sinker as it fits his current arsenal (FF, FC, CH, SL) pic.twitter.com/ohT17hSXRR

— Baseball Unstitched Podcast (@BaseUnstitched) January 9, 2026

If you need three outs in the middle innings, Schultz can do that. If you need a mop up guy, Schultz can be your man. If you need a spot start, Schultz can do that as well. He will not blow you away, but in a 162 game season, you need out getters. When you do not have a great rotation, these types of arms are valuable. Paul Toboni seems to understand this well.

Brad Lord is another example of a guy who can do the same sort of stuff. He is a better option to start games than Schultz, but he also has bullpen experience. Last season, Lord made 48 appearances, with 19 being starts. His numbers were better in the bullpen, but he also held his own in the rotation.

Brad Lord's 2Ks in the 3rd. pic.twitter.com/n8uxe6C8OF

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 8, 2025

Like Schultz, Lord can just be a chess piece on a pitching staff. He can float between the rotation and the bullpen, filling both roles admirably. In the modern game, this skillset is more valuable than ever. Only top of the rotation type arms tend to go deep in the game these days, so you need to find a way to fill innings.

I can envision the Nats just going into some random Tuesday night game, and asking Lord to give them four innings and Schultz deliver two innings. That is almost as good as a starter giving you six innings.

Another guy I could see doing this is Andrew Alvarez. He was very impressive in his five MLB starts, posting a 2.31 ERA. However, he did not go very deep into his starts. Alvarez relies on deception and fooling hitters. This leads to deeper counts and a high pitch count. It also makes him less effective when hitters see him more.

Andrew Alvarez impressed in 5 starts (2.31 ERA, tons of weak contact). Small sample, but he looked legit. Should he get a real shot at the 2026 rotation? pic.twitter.com/xnBRdZscpM

— natsfanatics (@natsfanatics_) November 17, 2025

However, Alvarez is good at fooling hitters for three or four innings. If you pair him with another multi-inning reliever, you can get six solid innings. Of course, you cannot do this every game and need guys to give length.

MacKenzie Gore can do that if he is not traded. He may not deliver seven innings, but he will usually give you five or six. Jake Irvin is also a classic innings eater. Hopefully Cade Cavalli can take a step and be a difference making starter as well. He has the stuff and the frame, but has had injury and consistency issues.

Mitchell Parker and maybe Trevor Williams when he returns are also candidates to fill this bulk role as well. The Nats pitching staff is short on proven commodities, and certainly will not be a strength as currently constructed. However, I have faith in the front office to make the unit better than it was last year.

Between improved player development and creative deployment, I trust this regime to get the most out of what they have. It will be far from perfect, but I have faith that there will be steps in the right direction. Eventually, the Nats will need to go all in on acquiring top line starting pitching, but let’s cross that bridge when we get there.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/general/88317/the-washington-nationals-have-array-hybrid-arms

 

[Washington Nationals]

Has Washington Nationals prospect Travis Sykora become underrated?

Since he was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2023 MLB Draft, Travis Sykora was seen as a crown jewel in the Nationals system. Despite not being taken until the 71st pick, Sykora got $2.6 million, which was top 35 money in his class. He was a 6’6 flamethrower from Texas with an upper 90’s fastball, and more polish than expected.

Sykora idolizes Nolan Ryan, and it is easy to see that on the mound. Like Ryan, Sykora has a big leg kick and produces easy velocity. In 2024 and the first half of 2025, Sykora was trending to be a future ace. He posted a 2.33 ERA in 2024 with a crazy 39.2% strikeout rate. Sykora just overwhelmed Low-A hitters with his mix of stuff and polish.

It was more of the same to start in 2025. After a delayed start to the season due to offseason hip surgery, Sykora was dominant. He had a few tuneup outings in rookie ball and Low-A, but really got going in High-A. In six High-A starts, he posted a 1.21 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 29.2 innings. He looked like a man amongst boys at yet another level.

Foot on the GAS! ️

Travis Sykora struck out in 6.0 scoreless innings, his 7th scoreless outing in 10 starts this season. pic.twitter.com/YBtk3uDhxq

— Nationals Player Development (@Nats_PlayerDev) June 25, 2025

However, things came crashing down very quickly. Sykora had a couple starts in AA, where he was still getting strikeouts, but was walking more guys. The more patient hitters were not chasing his pitches as much. This is something Sykora would have likely been able to adapt to, but he did not get the chance.

After striking out the side in the first inning of his second AA start, Sykora exited the game with an arm injury. A couple weeks later, Nats fans got the dreaded news that Sykora would need to undergo Tommy John Surgery. He would undergo surgery in late August.

Romans 12:2 pic.twitter.com/aEPF5PkRcc

— Travis Sykora (@travissykora1) August 21, 2025

Before the injury, Sykora was easily a top 50 prospect and was well on his way to being a top 25 prospect in the game. He was so dominant in the lower levels and had all the tools. Sykora’s fastball sits in the mid to upper 90’s. He combines that with a slider and a splitter, which both have plus potential. While his command is not perfect, it is quite advanced for a 21 year old power pitcher. He is also a smart pitcher, with the ability to mix and match well.

After the injury, Sykora’s stock has inevitably dropped. He missed the back half of 2026 and will miss most, if not all of 2026. That is a lot of development time that is now gone. Sykora was also an older high school prospect in 2023. By the time he comes back, he will be entering his age 23 season, with just 4.2 innings above A ball.

He went from a top 50 lock to a fringe top 100 prospect. Baseball America now has him as the Nats 5th ranked prospect. For me, that is a bit of an overreaction. I understand it, but still think Sykora is a top 3 or 4 prospect in the system. His results were just too good.

Prospect of the Day!
Travis Sykora
WSN, AA, SP | Rank: #62
Projection: 3.28 ERA, 11 K/9, 1.15 WHIP

The 21 year old Sykora was firmly on his way to becoming the next #1 pitching prospect in 2025, completely dominating opposing hitters with a 1.79 ERA, a 0.772 WHIP, and 15.7… pic.twitter.com/A4lLzUuYO3

— Ross Jensen (@rossjensen) December 22, 2025

For me, Sykora should be comfortably ahead of a guy like Luis Perales, who BA has ahead of him. While Perales is healthy now, he missed almost all of 2025 due to a TJ of his own. When he came back, his stuff looked better than ever, but his control was erratic. He also has much more reliever risk than Sykora.

Travis Sykora should be in the 2-4 range on the Nats prospect list. Eli Willits is the clear number one for me, but Sykora, Harry Ford and Jarlin Susana are all in the same tier. Of those three, Sykora still has the best chance of being a truly impactful player. It is easy to see him becoming a top of the rotation arm. Susana has relief risk and injury concerns of his own, while Ford has a lower ceiling.

Ranking a pitcher who won’t pitch next season is a tough exercise because of the uncertainty. Sykora is missing a lot of time to develop and it is no guarantee that he comes back the same. Most guys come back from their first TJ fine, but it is still not 100%. When Sykora does come back in 2027, he will also be on an innings limit.

The next time we are likely to see Sykora totally unleashed is 2028. He may get a taste of big league action in 2027, but he is not likely to be a full time MLB player until 2028. This surgery really pushes back his timeline and drops his stock. However, it is important not to overreact as well. A healthy Travis Sykora can still be an ace, and there are not many arms like that in the Minor Leagues.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...n-nationals-prospect-travis-sykora-underrated

 

[Washington Nationals]

Should the Washington Nationals consider trading MacKenzie Gore to the rival Mets

There was an interesting report that came out Yesterday, saying that the New York Mets have spoken to the Nationals about MacKenzie Gore. This brings up a fascinating discussion about the idea of trading a premium talent to your division rival. Of course, it would not be ideal, but the Mets happen to have one of the best farm systems in the sport.

Source: The Mets recently spoke to the Nationals about starter Mackenzie Gore

Plus: Details about Edward Cabrera talks https://t.co/HNtHHx0Jy1

— Pat Ragazzo (@ragazzoreport) January 10, 2026

Despite talking to the Mets, the report said that nothing is close and that the Nats asking price on Gore is “astronomically high”. The price should be high, especially for a division rival. If you are going to trade your best pitcher to your rival, you better nail the return. However, the Mets elite farm system makes it easier to nail a return.

The only Mets prospects totally off the table are Nolan McLean and Carson Benge. Those are both top 30 prospects and guys the Mets are counting on. However, there are plenty of other talented players in their system.

Jonah Tong could be a fun headliner if he is available. He posted a 1.43 ERA with 179 strikeouts in 113.2 minor league innings. Sure, he struggled in the MLB and needs to refine his breaking stuff, but he dominated the minors. Tong is also very young, at just 22 years old. His high release, combined with an elite fastball/changeup combination is very exciting.

However, Tong is far from the only guy the Nats could target in that system. The Mets have impressive depth and could give the Nats a fun quantity based package. A return of Brandon Sproat, Ryan Clifford and Jack Wenninger would be quite enticing. Those are two close to the big league arms and a potential first baseman of the future.

There are so many quality options to choose from in this Mets system and they match up nicely with the Nats needs. However, the Mets are going to need to pay up if they want Gore. If the packages from other teams are comparable, the Nats are likely to choose those deals. The Mets do have the ability to provide the Nats a return they cannot turn down.

The Mets are not the only team in New York interested in Gore though. There have also been reports that the Yankees are interested in the southpaw. Obviously, Nats fans would be more comfortable with the idea of Gore going to the Bronx. Even if the Yankees system is not as good as the Mets, they still have some interesting assets.

Feels like Brian Cashman will want to pursue a cheaper starter, so MacKenzie Gore fits the description perfectly

While he is another lefty (which the Yankees probably want to stay away from), his stuff is undeniable. Gore has an extremely high K/9, and if he can find a bit more… pic.twitter.com/gxMMBIXeMN

— Freddie (@PlayoffYankees) January 8, 2026

The Yankees have a few arms that would entice the Nats. Guys like Elmer Rodriguez, Carlos Lagrange and Ben Hess all excite me. Building a return around two of those three arms would be fun. Lagrange is massive and has electric stuff, which Paul Toboni clearly values. Hess looks like a prototypical middle of the rotation arm. Lastly, Rodriguez has a great feel for spin and a deep mix.

If the Nats wanted to do something a bit different, they could target Will Warren. He is not a prospect and is actually the same age as Gore. However, he has five years of control instead of two. He showed promise in his rookie season last year. A package based around Warren and Ben Hess could be worth considering.

Of course, the New York teams are not the only options here. The Giants make a ton of sense, especially if you can pry Bryce Eldridge away from them. I still believe the A’s could be a potential dark horse here.

Due to his upside and cheap price, most teams around the league should be interested in Gore. Only having two years of control is a limiting factor, but he is still a controllable piece for other teams.

We also know Gore’s salary for next year. The other day, the Nats and Gore agreed to avoid arbitration, giving him a $5.6 million deal for the 2026 season. That is extremely cheap compared to the free agent arms on the market like Framber Valdez and Ranger Suarez. Gore has a similar ceiling to those guys at a fraction of the cost.

Source: MacKenzie Gore and the Nationals have agreed at $5.6 million to avoid arbitration.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) January 8, 2026

With another year of team control in 2027, Gore also comes at a major discount for next season. This is super valuable from a roster building perspective. In exchange for the cheap price and upside, teams are going to have to give the Nats a lot of prospect capital. Paul Toboni knows this, which is why he is asking for a lot.

The Nats seem to be in a good position to trade him this offseason. Teams are starting to get desperate as we get closer to Spring Training. Hopefully that killer offer comes in, but if it does not, Toboni seems to be comfortable holding on to Gore.

I am not opposed to the idea of trading Gore within the division, but the return better be stellar. If the Mets are offering the best package, it would be foolish to turn them down just because they are division rivals. The reason you are trading Gore is because the team is unlikely to be a true contender in the next couple years. If the Mets give you a package that helps make you a contender in the long term, take it.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/nat...ls-consider-trading-mackenzie-gore-rival-mets

 

[Washington Nationals]

How Much Does James Wood Need To Improve On Defense in 2026?

James Wood’s defense was a tale of two seasons in 2025. To begin the season, he looked like a very solid defender out in left field, putting up 2 OAA in June, which brought him to an even 0 OAA entering July, surpassing many fans and experts’ expectations. In the second half, however, his defensive cracks began to show, as he posted -6 OAA from July to September, including -3 OAA in September alone. Overall, despite his roughly average arm strength and sprint speed, Wood finished near the bottom of left fielders in terms of overall defense.

Entering 2026, the left field job is all Woods, as he is the best bat on the ball club and the future of the organization, but with how much talent the club has in or near the big leagues in the outfield, it is fair to start to wonder when it’s time to consider James Wood as a full-time designated hitter.

For starters, it would make an extension much easier to get done, as Wood would likely be cheaper to lock up as a DH than an outfielder. It could also help Wood maximize his ability as a hitter, as he is more rested from not playing outfield and has more time to focus on his offensive game.

It would be a shame to write off James Wood as a defender so early in his career, however, especially when he showed some flashes as a defender in the first half of 2025, so let’s take a look at how much Wood needs to improve on defense this season to hold the left field job entering 2027.

Of the 33 qualified left fielders in baseball, Wood ranked 29th among them in OAA at -7. While he was a much better hitter than the names slightly above and below him on that leaderboard, it still is rough company to be in, especially at such a young age when he should be near his athletic prime. For Wood’s 2026 season to be considered a defensive success to me, I’d like to see him get to around -3 to -4 OAA, still below average, but an improvement from where he was in 2025.

According to Statcast, the aspect of left field Wood needs the most work on is fielding balls hit to his right, his non-glove side, on which he had a -5 OAA. While towards the foul line can be very difficult to defend for non-left-handed right fielders, getting Wood closer to -1 to -2 OAA on those plays would be a strong starting point in improving his overall defense in the outfield.

Wood also faced some issues with balls hit behind him, where he posted a -2 OAA in 2025. While good coaching will be critical in helping Wood improve his jumps and routes to fly balls, maybe the most important step in improving on defense will come from Wood himself, and learning from his full season of experience in 2025.

While he doesn’t need to go from one of the worst to one of the best in a year to make me confident in him as a defender, he for sure cannot afford to regress as a defender if he wants to avoid becoming a full-time DH sometime soon. If 2026 proves to be more of the same, Wood becoming the Nats’ designated hitter isn’t the end of the world, as it cheapens a possible extension and frees up playing time for youngsters such as Robert Hassell and Christian Franklin.

For those interested, linked here is a tool in Baseball Savant that allows you to play around with all sorts of defensive situations Wood was faced with in 2025, anywhere from his success by exit velocity, distance, to catch probability.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/general/88342/how-much-james-wood-need-improve-defense-2026

 

[Washington Nationals]

MLB Draft 2026: Cameron Flukey is a high octane college arm the Washington Nationals can dream on

It has been a little while since we have done our last draft profile, so let’s do one today. The Nationals need pitching, so I decided to break down Cameron Flukey, one of the best college pitchers in the class. Flukey, who is the Coastal Carolina ace, has an exciting blend of stuff and command.

Despite being a sophomore last year, Cameron Flukey was one of the best pitchers in college baseball. He helped lead Coastal Carolina to the College World Series championship game, where they fell short against LSU. Flukey still had a very impressive campaign, and is a near lock to go in the top 15.

Cameron Flukey, 97mph ️ (home plate view). pic.twitter.com/P0kaEALC6g

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 22, 2025

With the Nats sitting at pick 11, there is obviously a chance Flukey is off the board. However, with a strong crop of college pitchers, there is a decent chance Flukey falls to pick 11. If he is there, the Nationals will have to seriously consider taking him.

So, what makes Cameron Flukey so special? Well, he is pretty close to the complete package. Flukey possesses a mid to upper 90’s fastball he maintains deep into his starts. The pitch gets above average carry as well. Flukey also has two above average breaking balls with a plus hammer curveball and an above average slider. All of those pitches play up due to his above average command.

Some Cameron Flukey highlights for your feed. I would love to see the Athletics land him at pick No. 8 in the '26 draft, pairing him with Jamie Arnold.

60-grade Fastball
60-grade Curveball
55-grade Slider
55-grade Control

In '25:

101.2 IP
3.19 ERA
4.92 K/BB
.206 BAA
1.00 WHIP pic.twitter.com/mCIwj7OLgQ

— Tobey Schulman (@tschulmanreport) December 10, 2025

Most young pitchers struggle with command, and Flukey was no exception as a freshman in college. He walked 27 batters in 55 innings his first season. Flukey also struggled to keep the ball in the yard. However, his command took a massive leap forward in his sophomore year. In 101.2 innings, Flukey only walked 24 batters. That is 2.1 BB/9, which is elite even for a big leaguer.

Flukey also gave up fewer homers despite pitching nearly double the innings. With his now elite control, Flukey is a super safe college pitching prospect. This is the type of profile the Nationals need. They have a lot of flame throwers with command questions, but not many complete pitchers.

Despite making massive strides as a sophomore, Flukey is still working on his craft. There is a fun video of Flukey working on ironing out his mechanics and refining his pitch shapes. If Flukey takes yet another leap, the Nats could be out of luck, given the fact they are picking 11th.

Cameron Flukey Pen Day

A winter break of refining shapes and eliminating an over drift. Cam looking sharp and ready to go for @coastalbsb this spring.

Fastball 94-97
Slider 84-86
Curveball 76-78
CH 84-86
️#Develop #Coastal @MLBPipeline @bigdonkey47 @OnTheClock_1… pic.twitter.com/tg6QGDtOSs

— Baseball Performance Center (@The_BPCsj) December 27, 2025

While Flukey is great, he is not a perfect prospect. His stuff is good, but it does not jump off the page like a Jackson Flora, who we wrote about last month. I am also interested to see how his curveball translates to pro ball.

Flukey’s curveball is arguably his best pitch. It is a bit of a throwback, as it is a slow 12/6 hook. We do not see many sub 80 MPH benders these days, especially not as a primary secondary pitch. I wonder if the Nats would have him lean on his slider more if he gets drafted by them. Flukey clearly has a strong capacity to spin the ball, so maybe the Nats can play with his breaking ball shapes.

Flukey’s fastball is good, but not elite either. Despite that, many people believe Flukey is the best college pitcher in the draft. His command and stuff is a package that does not come around very often.

Cameron Flukey is my running favorite to be the first pitcher drafted in 2026. Let's break down why pic.twitter.com/phexiw0rdo

— Nate Rasmussen (@RasmussenBase) September 17, 2025

There seems to be a big three when it comes to college pitchers in this class. Flukey, Flora and Liam Peterson of Florida will all battle it out to be the top college arm. The Nats are unlikely to have their choice of the three, but one of them is likely to slip into their range.

Flukey is the safest of the three. He has a strong four pitch mix with good command. There may not be a true plus pitch, but he does everything at a fairly high level. He was also the best performer of the three last year, posting a 3.19 ERA in over 100 innings.

There also could be more in the tank for Flukey. At 6’6 210 pounds, Flukey has a chance to fill out and add even more velocity. The draft is still a ways away, but we usually know who most of the top guys are. Flukey is going to be one of those guys. MLB Pipeline ranks him as the 9th best prospect and Baseball America has him at 10, so he is a realistic option for the Nats.

This is the kind of prospect I would love for the Nats to draft. Flukey has a chance to fly to the big leagues and make an impact quickly. He could follow the path taken by guys like Trey Yesavage and Chase Burns. Hopefully he can help the Nats in a 2027 playoff run.

Flukey may not have true ace potential, but he is a strong bet to be a number 2 starter. The Nats need guys like that and with the strength of this draft, they should have a chance to get one. If he is on the board, Cameron Flukey would give Paul Toboni the chance to draft a guy who can make an MLB impact quickly.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/mlb...ane-college-arm-washington-nationals-dream-on

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals create new Minor League development camp ahead of Spring Training

Yesterday, the Washington Post reported that the Nationals are launching a Minor League development camp in West Palm Beach that will open later this month. This camp will host about 60 minor leaguers and will run from January 20th until the start of Spring Training. The Nats have never done anything like this before, so this is an exciting development.

Next week, the Nationals are hosting a supplemental camp for ~60 minor leaguers before spring training starts. Talked to AGM Devin Pearson about why.

That, plus some prospects who will be there, updates on new technology/spending and more:https://t.co/1REe3m1juY

— Andrew Golden (@andrewcgolden) January 12, 2026

When Paul Toboni arrived in DC, he promised a scouting and player development monster. This camp was clearly part of his vision. The camp will allow for minor league players to get an early start and have more time with team officials. It is a very exciting idea and is a sign that a new regime is in town.

The previous regime was not this hands on when it came to offseason training. As a result, the club began to lag behind when it came to player development. This new regime is going to do whatever it takes to fix that. Creating a player development pipeline is a big reason why Toboni was hired and now he is turning words into action.

There are going to be some exciting players at this camp. A lot of the Nats 2025 draft class will be down in West Palm, including number one pick Eli Willits. Coy James and Miguel Sime Jr. are also among the players who will be there according to the Post.

Some notable names from the Nationals' most recent draft class that are expected to be at this camp: Eli Willits, Miguel Sime and Coy James. https://t.co/g62RhNmvtq

— Andrew Golden (@andrewcgolden) January 12, 2026

Seeing these talented, but raw high school players being developed is so exciting. Over the years, the Nats have drafted plenty of players with elite physical gifts. However, they have not found a way to turn those players into big leaguers. Hopefully that can change with this new regime.

It really does seem like the organization is all in on becoming a player development monster. Toboni has been given free reign to execute his vision, at least on the player development and technology side of things. Hopefully, free agent signings come down the road, but when it comes to player development and tech, ownership is putting their money where their mouth is.

Speaking of technology, it was noted in the story that the Nats will have multiple Trajekt machines this season. Of course, the Nats not having any of these machines became a source of controversy last season. Trajekt machines are state of the pitching machines that can replicate the arsenal of any pitcher.

Also in @andrewcgolden's story: The Nationals are expected to have at least two Trajekt machines this season, per sources, one in Washington and one in West Palm Beach.

They were one of just a few MLB teams who didn't have one last year.https://t.co/ZpDblrb6nX

— Spencer Nusbaum (@spencernusbaum_) January 12, 2026

Last season, the Nationals were one of only a handful of teams not to have the machine. It just drove home the idea that the Nationals front office was behind the curve and that ownership was not willing to spend money on technology. Now, the Nats are going to have two machines, one in West Palm and one in DC.

This is a super useful resource to have and it helps Nats hitters prepare for the pitchers they are about to face. However, there is just as much symbolic value in this as well. The lack of a Trajekt machine was a symbol of how far behind the Nationals had fallen. Now, with the new regime, the Nats are all in on technology.

This camp and the new tech should create some optimism for fans. Sure, the Nats aren’t spending big in free agency, but ownership is allowing Paul Toboni to act on his vision. The results of this project may not show up in 2026, but these steps will make the Nationals a better team down the road. I am very excited to see this organization take the steps required to modernize.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/lat...league-development-camp-ahead-spring-training