RSS Nationals Team Notes

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals in the middle of the pack in farm system rankings

SURPRISE, AZ - NOVEMBER 05: Seaver King #5 of the Scottsdale Scorpions bats during the game between the Scottsdale Scorpions and the Surprise Saguaros at Surprise Stadium on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Baseball America released their farm system rankings, and they are not the only outlet to do so in the past week or so. ESPN and The Athletic have also put out their rankings. The general consensus is that the Nats farm system is in the middle of the pack, though that feeling is not universal.

BA is the lowest of the three outlets on the Nats farm, ranking them 16th. The Nats have been in this range for them over the past few years. Last year, the Nats were 14th and in 2024 they were 15th. The system was at its strongest in 2023, ranking 7th. This makes sense, given that it was right after the Juan Soto trade.

NEW FARM SYSTEM RANKINGS

The @Pirates have baseball's best system entering 2026.

See how every org ranks: https://t.co/VPAOelUvbr pic.twitter.com/FUwpa32qnj

— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) February 4, 2026

The reason the Nats system is lower is because of graduations and some regression. At this time last year, Dylan Crews was still prospect eligible. He was regarded as a top 10 prospect in the game. Brady House, Cade Cavalli and Daylen Lile all graduated as well.

The Nats 2024 draft class also struggled in their first taste of professional action. Seaver King and Luke Dickerson were very disappointing in 2025. Caleb Lomavita was fine, but did not exceed expectations either. With none of those guys emerging as top 100 caliber prospects, the Nats were unable to replace the guys they graduated from within.

Paul Toboni saved the Nats from being ranked deep into the 20’s with his moves. BA noted that the Nats acquired half of their top 20 prospects within the last year. The additions of Harry Ford, Gavin Fien, Luis Perales and others have made the Nats system deeper than ever.

The biggest reason why they are not higher is the lack of a true blue chip prospect. Eli Willits is the closest thing the Nats have, but BA has him ranked at 30th overall. He is not a top 10 prospect in the game like the Nats have had with Wood and Crews. Prospects like Travis Sykora, Jarlin Susana, Harry Ford and Gavin Fien are all very good, but also come with plenty of risk.

Keith Law of The Athletic really sees the promise in these guys. That is why he has the Nats system ranked as the 6th best, by far the highest I have seen. He noted that the Nats have done an impressive job restocking their system under Paul Toboni and in the 2025 draft.

The #Nationals have the 6th best farm system as ranked by Keith Law of The Athletic. The #Nats are ranked by him in his Second Tier. https://t.co/1g6rOrWKCB

— Talk Nats (@TalkNats) January 29, 2026

However, he also notes the risk in a lot of these players. Law said that a lot of the talent the Nats have picked up is underperforming talent, based on where they were drafted or when they emerged as prospects.

I am not sure I agree with the underperforming part, but I do think a lot of the top guys have questions. Susana, Sykora, Perales and Alejandro Rosario have injury concerns. Harry Ford has some defensive issues and young infielders like Eli Willits and Gavin Fien are years away. There is no Konnor Griffin or Kevin McGonigle in the Nats system.

In the past, the Nats system has been very top heavy. They had a couple blue chip prospects, but not a ton else beyond that. Now the Nationals system’s strength is its depth. The question now is whether some of these promising pieces become top prospects.

Kiley McDaniel over at ESPN is one of my favorite prospect evaluators going back to his days at Fangraphs. He has the Nats system ranked as the 14th best. Last year, McDaniel had the Nats at 12. That was on the back of the top end guys like Dylan Crews. This year, the strength comes from the depth.

and here's my ranking of each farm system 1 through 30 with dollar values so you can see how quickly your team can rise https://t.co/TIUtsK5MOk

— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) January 29, 2026

According to his write-up, the Nats acquired four of his top 200 prospects this winter. He pointed out Landon Harmon as a prospect to watch. I like that shoutout a lot. Harmon is quite similar to what Travis Sykora was coming out of high school a couple years ago. Both are 6’6 righties with upper 90’s heaters.

Sykora had a more filled out frame, but Harmon’s fastball might be even better. Harmon’s heater has good shape, while Sykora’s was more velocity dependent. However, Harmon’s secondary pitches are not as advanced as Sykora’s were.

At this time next year, I would be pretty surprised if the Nats did not have a consensus top 10 system in baseball. We wrote about what the system could look like at the end of the year, and Paul was very optimistic.

There are so many breakout candidates in this system. The reason the Nats system is not top 10 right now is that not a ton of these guys have done it yet. Once the Nats youngsters prove themselves, they will rise in the ranks. Even if the ranking is lower, the Nats farm is as healthy as it has been in a long time under Paul Toboni. Finally, the Nationals prospect pool has depth.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...on-nationals-middle-pack-farm-system-rankings

 

[Washington Nationals]

Will Harry Ford be the Washington Nationals starting catcher on Opening Day?

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 11: Harry Ford #5 of the Seattle Mariners smiles after the game against the Los Angeles Angels at T-Mobile Park on September 11, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Mariners won 7-6 in 12 innings. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Nationals are going to have a number of position battles this spring. Not many spots on the pitching staff are secure, and it is anyone’s guess as to who the first baseman will be. However, the camp battle that intrigues me the most comes at the catching position.

Keibert Ruiz has been the full time starter since 2022, and has a contract that runs through the 2030 season. However, the last two seasons have been disastrous for Ruiz. His combined OPS since the start of 2024 is only .610, which is an issue for a bat first catcher. With the trade for top catching prospect Harry Ford, Ruiz is fighting an uphill battle to be the starting catcher.

It is telling that the first major transaction Paul Toboni made in DC was trading for a catcher. When speaking to fans yesterday, Toboni said there are no limits on Ford. He said the trade was a unique opportunity for the Nats that was only possible due to the fact the Mariners have such an elite catcher.

“Candidly, I think one of the only reasons we were able to make that trade is because the Mariners probably have the best catchers in all of baseball with Cal Raleigh.” Toboni added that there will be “no limits” on Harry Ford this season, and the work with him has begun. pic.twitter.com/DjNldacPYQ

— Ryan Shenker (@RyanShenker) January 31, 2026

While Toboni has said all the right things about Ruiz, his actions tell me that he is high on Ford and has questions about Keibert Ruiz. If the organization had things their way, I think they would want Ford to win the job. That does not mean the job will be handed to the youngster though.

Ford is going to have to earn the job. While he has made his MLB debut, he is not proven enough to have a job handed to him. The Nats are committed to both players, so this will be a real competition. Ownership is committed financially to Ruiz and the new front office is committed to Ford because they are the ones who traded for him.

One interesting twist in this competition is the World Baseball Classic. Harry Ford will be playing for Great Britain during the event. It is a great honor for Ford, who has British parents, but it also could cost him in this competition. This could be a major opportunity for Ruiz or even Drew Millas to impress the new staff while Ford is away.

Harry Ford will play for Great Britain in the WBC once again pic.twitter.com/1r6EXtqoSS

— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) January 5, 2026

Great Britain play their first exhibition on March 3rd, and their last group phase game is on March 9th. That means Ford will be gone for at least a week of Spring Training. Britain is in a group with the US, Brazil, Italy and Mexico. The top two teams in the group will advance. America will be a shoe in, but the second spot will be up for grabs. With Ford and Jazz Chisholm on the team, Britain has a chance to advance. If they do, Ford will be out even longer.

Despite this, I still think Ford should be considered the favorite to be the starting catcher. He has already proven he can do it at AAA. Last season, Ford hit .283 with an .868 OPS at the highest level of the minors. If the Mariners did not have Cal Raleigh, Ford would probably have more MLB experience by now.

Harry Ford had a very great past season for the Seattle Mariners organization. He spent most of the year playing in Triple-A for Tacoma where he was the PCL Top MLB Prospect and got called up to the majors in September. The top prospect was traded to the Washington Nationals this… pic.twitter.com/0PFNaCj4eS

— Milb Central (@milb_central) January 30, 2026

The Nats are a young team with low expectations. That is the perfect spot for a player like Harry Ford. He will get the chance to learn on the job and get MLB reps. Unless he struggles mightily this spring, I have a hard time believing he will not be on the roster.

Another thing to consider is how the playing time will be split. Davey Martinez really rode his starting catchers hard, especially Keibert Ruiz. The new regime is probably going to be more open to playing two catchers. It would not be surprising if we see Ford catch 60% of the games and Ruiz catch 40% of them. That timeshare will be important for Ruiz in particular, who has suffered the wear and tear of being an everyday catcher.

The Nats also have depth options behind these two. Drew Millas has never been given an extended run of playing time, but has always looked good in his chances. He is also the best defender of the group. Despite being DFA’d, Riley Adams remains in the organization and has plenty of big league experience. He also has some interesting power upside that has not quite been realized yet.

With the addition of Ford, the Nats catching situation should be much better than it was last year. To be blunt, the production the Nats got behind the plate was abysmal. Toboni saw those numbers and knew he could not roll with the status quo. He added a young hot shot in Ford, while keeping the door open for the catchers on the team last year.

Developing catchers has become a real art, and it is something the Nats have not been good at in recent years. Hopefully the new regime can improve the Nats catchers, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.

If I had to bet, I think Harry Ford will be the Nats starting catcher. However, he is not going to be playing every day like Keibert Ruiz was under Davey Martinez. That will keep him fresh and give Ruiz one last opportunity to try to live up to his contract and potential. This is the happiest I have been about the Nats catching situation in quite some time.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...ington-nationals-starting-catcher-opening-day

 

[Washington Nationals]

Why are the Washington Nationals hiring so many people from Driveline?

There is one place we have talked about a lot in passing when discussing the Washington Nationals coaching hires. That place is Driveline Baseball. So many of the Nats new coaches have ties to the famed baseball lab. I wanted to do a deeper dive on Driveline and talk about why so many Nats coaches are coming from there.

In short, Driveline is an incubator for some of the brightest young baseball minds out there. Paul Toboni clearly wanted to build a staff full of bright young minds, so Driveline is a great place to look. ESPN actually did a great profile on Driveline last week which was a great read. It dug into how Driveline is trying to change the game for hitters.

I spent two days in Arizona last week with 22-year-old White Sox catcher Edgar Quero as he went through Driveline’s hitting program for the first time.

What it entailed, and what it says about the state of the game …https://t.co/9jVwRKcCZD

— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) January 30, 2026

Driveline Baseball emerged as the place to go for players who wanted to improve their game. It was founded by Kyle Boddy back in 2007, but did not really emerge as the place to be until about a decade later. As the Moneyball era evolved into the Statcast era, Driveline was the place to be, especially for pitchers.

It was where pitchers went if they wanted to increase velocity or learn new pitches. Driveline’s state of the art cameras and high level instructors help players learn more about their bodies. If they have a mechanical flaw that costs them velocity, Driveline will fix it. If they need to overhaul their arsenal, Driveline will show them new pitch grips. A good example of the ladder is Luis Severino, who totally overhauled his arsenal which helped him get a big contract.

New Nationals pitching coach Simon Mathews actually worked at Driveline for a bit. He was also involved in another similar pitching lab. After doing that, he found his way into pro ball. He was a rehab specialist for the Reds before becoming their assistant pitching coach last year. After a year of being an assistant, he took the pitching coach job with the Nats.

Mathews is far from the only Nats coach to have Driveline connections. Minor League pitching coach Luke Dziados also came from Driveline. However, the Nats went even more Driveline heavy on the hitting side. While Driveline started as mostly a pitching lab, they have been changing the game for hitting development lately as documented in the ESPN story.

With that in mind, the Nats took two of Driveline’s top hitting minds. The first guy I want to discuss is Travis Fitta, who is now an assistant hitting coach in AAA. Earlier this offseason, before he was hired by the Nats, Fitta was working with Jacob Young. Driveline put out a really cool video of their session together.

"That was so unbelievably insane. But that's like such a good athletic movement."⁠
⁠
Washington Nationals center fielder Jacob Young joins Hitting Coordinator Travis Fitta in this swing design.
Full video on YouTube pic.twitter.com/6uLnluCQgS

— Driveline Baseball (@DrivelineBB) November 12, 2025

Fitta’s main emphasis was trying to translate the athleticism Young has on the field to his hitting. The way he talks about hitting is so impressive and high level. It is so scientific which really interests me. Young seems to be leaving a lot of meat on the bone from a biomechanics standpoint, and Fitta was trying to fix that. His specialty is optimizing these players’ swings.

I think this will be very helpful for Nats in the MLB and in the minors. One guy that stands out to me that Fitta will be working with is Yohandy Morales. The former second round pick has so much raw power, but his swing is not optimized. He hardly ever pulls the ball and hits it on the ground a lot. This tells me that Morales is not on time consistently due to his swing. Hopefully Fitta can change that.

At the MLB level, Andrew Aydt was added as an assistant hitting coach. Aydt was the assistant director of hitting at Driveline and helped players like Ivan Herrera take the next steps in their development. Now, he will get the chance to work with the likes of James Wood, Dylan Crews and Daylen Lile every day.

Some Nationals coaching news: Washington is planning to hire Andrew Aydt as its assistant hitting coach, per sources.

Aydt serves as the assistant director of hitting for Driveline Baseball.

— Andrew Golden (@andrewcgolden) November 21, 2025

After looking at Driveline, and the kind of people they attract, it is easy to see why Paul Toboni is poaching their employees. They are full of young people who are at the cutting edge of baseball. That certainly fits the Toboni ethos of creating a player development monster.

Toboni wants the Nats to be a place to be for young, up and coming minds. It is only natural then that he is poaching from Driveline, which is currently the place to be for those people. The Nationals will be all in on things like adding pitches or making data backed swing changes. That should really excite you if you are a Nats fan.

For players that want to improve their game, Driveline is the place to go. You can only go to Driveline in the offseason though. Toboni is bringing Driveline into the organization so players can improve their games in season. The Drivelineification of the Washington Nationals is very exciting and will be something to watch this season in the MLB and on the farm.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...ington-nationals-hiring-many-people-driveline

 

[Washington Nationals]

3 Takeaways From My Top 30 Washington Nationals Prospects List

Yesterday, I released my preseason top 30 Washington Nationals prospects, which you can find here. The driving focus of my rankings was a combination of prospects’ performances so far in their careers, their underlying numbers for those performances, and the tools they have, which could lead to future success. Here are the 3 biggest takeaways from my list that you should know about.

#1: The Nationals’ farm system is the deepest it’s been in a long time

For the last few years, the Nationals’ farm system has had plenty of top-end talent, with names such as Dylan Crews and James Wood, but lacked the depth that rebuilding teams should be accumulating. Thanks in large part to the 2025 draft, where the Nationals selected Eli Willits first overall and acquired even more talent in the later rounds with the savings from the pick, 1-for-1 deals this offseason such as Jose A. Ferrer for Harry Ford and Jake Bennett for Luis Perales, and the big MacKenzie Gore trade this offseason, the Nationals farm system has depth it hasn’t had perhaps ever, with prospects ranked in the 10 to 20 range who could be plus big leaguers one day.

An important part of building depth in the Nats’ farm system is not only acquiring players in trades, but acquiring the right kind of prospects in those deals. Mike DeBartolo and Paul Toboni have done an excellent job acquiring prospects in deals that have the tools required to succeed at the big league level, such as power potential in hitters and strikeout stuff in pitchers.

Pitchers like Griff McGarry and Eriq Swan, who take up spots at the backend of my top 30, are valuable not because they’re excellent now in the minor leagues, but because they have the stuff and projection to be good MLB players one day. Once you have enough of these high-risk type prospects, over time, a few of them will break out and give you great major league talents.

#2: The MacKenzie Gore trade was a shot of adrenaline for the farm system

Speaking of the MacKenzie Gore trade, the deal is unique because not only did the Nats acquire 5 prospects in the deal, but all 5 prospects have tools that make them more than just throw-ins, with all 5 ranking in my top 15 Nats prospects, and 3 within the top 10.

Fien and Fitz-Gerald could wind up as top 100 prospects by the end of 2026, Rosario was a top 10 pitching prospect in the sport before his injury and could wind up being a steal if he returns fully healthy, and Cabrera and Ortiz have the tools to be solid regulars one day. All in all, while the headlines may say the Nats received 0 top 100 prospects in return for Gore’s services, the truth is they received a package with a high chance of producing 2 or more impactful big leaguers one day.

#3: Marconi German is a name to watch in 2026

The prospect in my top 30 Nationals prospects you are least likely to recognize is Marconi German, a 17-year-old, switch-hitting shortstop, and while my ranking may seem rather high for a player who’s only played in the Dominican Summer League in his career, I have complete faith this ranking will be justified once the 2026 season gets underway.

German was one of the best hitters in the DSL in 2025 while also being one of the younger ones, posting a 159 wRC+ and hitting 8 home runs in 53 games. He showed great plate discipline, posting a 1.02 BB/K ratio, and punished pitchers when he got his pitch, with a .513 slugging percentage. He also has great speed, with 33 stolen bases in those 53 games.

German’s first major test will come in 2026 when he heads stateside to play in the complex league. If he continues to hit well there, he’ll likely get a chance in Low A, his first taste of affiliated minor league play. I’m excited to see how German progresses in 2026, as I believe he has the tools to be a very good shortstop or second baseman in the big leagues one day.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...om-top-30-washington-nationals-prospects-list

 

[Washington Nationals]

Looking at the Washington Nationals ties to the upcoming World Baseball Classic

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 13: Harry Ford #1 of Team Great Britain is is given a crown and robe after hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning during Game 5 of Pool C between Team Colombia and Team Great Britain at Chase Field on Monday, March 13, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Last night, the World Baseball Classic rosters were released. Seeing that got me really fired up, especially considering how much fun the last one was. There are current and former Nationals players and coaches littered across the rosters. I wanted to take a look at some of the Nats ties to this amazing event.

The Nats current roster is not exactly littered with participants. Only two players will be leaving big league camp to play in the event. Harry Ford will be playing for Great Britain and Matt Mervis will suit up for Team Israel. Both players participated at the last WBC as well, so they are not new to this.

C Harry Ford (Great Britain) and 1B Matt Mervis (Israel) are the only Nationals players in big league camp this spring who will be participating in the World Baseball Classic.

— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) February 6, 2026

While both players are born in the US, they have ties to the countries they are representing. Ford has British parents and has represented the country for a while now. Mervis is representing Israel because of his Jewish faith.

It is interesting timing for them though. Both Mervis and Ford will be leaving camp while competing for a roster spot. Mervis is part of a wide open first base competition. As a left handed bat, his main competition is likely to be Abimelec Ortiz. Mervis leaving camp could provide an opportunity for Ortiz to lock down a job. The same thing goes for Keibert Ruiz, who will get a chance to show what he has without Ford around.

Harry Ford is one of the biggest names on the Britain roster. He will co-captain the team along with Yankees star Jazz Chisholm. Ford was one of the breakout stars of the last competition. The event elevated his stock as a prospect, with Ford swinging a hot bat. He hit a key home run against Colombia, which was his signature moment.

HARRY FORD GOES YARD

: WBC on FS2 pic.twitter.com/e8sGn4VPoj

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 13, 2023

However, these current players are not the only people with Nationals ties participating at the event. There are plenty of former Nats who are in the competition. Team USA has a couple of them, with Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber. Other big stars like Juan Soto will be playing at the event as well.

There are also some lesser known former Nats at the WBC. Cult hero Joey Meneses will be representing Mexico and Erasmo Ramirez will be with Nicaragua. Some of the coaches also have ties to the Nats as well. A pair of 2019 Nationals will be coaching at the event. Gerardo Parra will be the first base coach for Venezuela and Yan Gomes will be the catching coach for Brazil. Here is a list of all the former and current Nats at the WBC.

Current and former #Nats players (farmhands included) participating in the WBC.

The last slide is coaches: pic.twitter.com/bYKOlWC8Ai

— Hashim Horne (@_SoundTheHorne) February 6, 2026

There are a lot of forgotten Nats on that list! The WBC is such a special event that I had so much fun watching in 2023. Hopefully this WBC is just as exciting as the last one. However, I am rooting for America to come out on top this time.

Who is your favorite former or current Nat at the event and who are some guys that you totally forgot about that are participating? Let me know down below. Also, who do you guys think will win the WBC this year? Can Japan repeat, or will Team USA or the Dominican Republic be too strong? The WBC starts in about a month and the final is on March 17th in Miami.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...onals-ties-to-upcoming-world-baseball-classic

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals claim former top prospect Ken Waldichuk off waivers

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Ken Waldichuk #64 of the Oakland Athletics reacts after the third out in the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 29, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Paul Toboni and Ani Kilambi have been doing work on the waiver wire lately. They are churning through players on the fringes of the 40-man roster. Today, they claimed Ken Waldichuk from the Rays and DFA’d George Soriano in the process. Soriano was only claimed last week, but the Nats still decided to move on.

Washington Nationals claim LHP Ken Waldichuk.

Waldichuk ranks eighth in all of Minor League Baseball (min. 275.0 IP) with 13.02 strikeouts per 9.0 innings since the start of the 2019 season.

Read more: https://t.co/dBsuIMyBPV

— Nationals Communications (@NationalsComms) February 5, 2026

On the surface, Waldichuk is a weird claim. He posted an ERA over 8 in the minor leagues last year as a 27 year old. However, there is more than what meets the eye here. Waldichuk is a former top 100 prospect with some pedigree. He was part of the trade that sent Frankie Montas to the Yankees in 2022.

At the time of that trade, Waldichuk was a big deal. He pitched in the Futures Game for the Yankees and was a strikeout machine in the minors. For his career, Waldichuk’s K/9 in the minors is 13.02. Despite low to mid 90’s velocity, Waldichuk’s fastball has always played up.

Yankees top pitching prospect Ken Waldichuk gets the save in the Futures Game! pic.twitter.com/RZajHJD3QR

— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) July 17, 2022

In 2022, he got a cup of coffee in the MLB with the A’s, before spending all of 2023 in their rotation. He has 175.2 career innings with a 5.28 ERA and 165 strikeouts. Things did not work out very well for him in the MLB, but he was still a young pitcher.

However, he had to undergo Tommy John Surgery, missing all of 2024. When he came back in 2025, he did not look like the same guy. The Minor League ERA of 8.17 makes that pretty clear. His velocity was down about 2 ticks and his control was not there.

Despite that, Waldichuk was still getting strikeouts. He fanned 68 batters in 54 minor league innings last year. The fact he was still getting strikeouts makes him sort of interesting. A lot of pitchers struggle in their first year back from Tommy John before looking better as they get further removed from surgery.

There are some signs that this could be the case for Waldichuk. In bullpen’s this offseason, his fastball averaged 93.9 MPH. This season, he only averaged 91.6 MPH on his heater. If the Nats can get Waldichuk to sit 94 consistently, they could have something here.

Whoever picks up @Ken_Waldichuk is getting an absolute steal.

Hardest avg and top FB velocity since pre TJ (and it was a bullpen).

Shapes are coming together. Big year ahead for him as he returns to his former self @TreadHQ https://t.co/KkDaJxhtBZ pic.twitter.com/Ql0bblWB5s

— Turner Givens (@TurnerGivens) February 3, 2026

Despite being a starter for his whole career, I think the Nats should transition Waldichuk to the bullpen. He has proven he is not a very effective starter at this point. Waldichuk throws his fastball a lot and I think letting it rip in shorter spurts could help him. A lot of his profile just feels like a failed starter who could thrive in the bullpen.

Even if the velocity is back, Waldichuk will still need to improve his control. Walks were a concern before the surgery, and the control was very bad last year. This is another reason why I think a move to the bullpen makes sense.

As we have seen, there is a chance Waldichuk is not on the team next week. Just ask guys like George Soriano and Micky Gasper. However, I think he is an interesting enough reclamation project for Toboni to want to see what he has in Spring Training. If he does not look good this spring, you can always DFA him again.

The Nats have made a lot of additions on the waiver wire lately, but this one is more intriguing than some of the others. Waldichuk has a pretty high ceiling and has more pedigree than your average waiver claim.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...aim-former-top-prospect-ken-waldichuk-waivers

 

[Washington Nationals]

What would a successful season look like in 2026 for the Washington Nationals?

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 27: James Wood #29 of the Washington Nationals celebrates with CJ Abrams #5 after hitting a home run during the game between the Chicago White Sox and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Saturday, September 27, 2025 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Olivia Vega/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The Washington Nationals are highly unlikely to make the playoffs in 2026. Paul Toboni knows that and so do Nationals fans. Even finishing above .500 feels like a pipe dream. However, that does not mean the Nats season is destined for failure. We are just going to have to look at things beyond the win/loss record. Here are some things that would make the Nats 2026 season a success.

Continued Growth of the Young Core of Position Players:

Despite the failure of the previous regime’s rebuild, the Nationals still have a group of promising young position players at the MLB level. The development of players like James Wood, Daylen Lile, Dylan Crews, Brady House and CJ Abrams will be crucial. If those players develop, this Nats season can be a success even if the team struggles to reach 75 games.

James Wood is the most important piece of this young core and his growth is paramount to the success of this team moving forward. In the first half, Wood looked like a potential MVP contender. He posted a .915 OPS with 24 homers. However, Wood really tailed off down the stretch due to out of control strikeout rates.

Wood has so much natural talent and he has the ceiling of a 40 home run, 20 stolen base guy. He is the only player on this team with top 10 player in baseball upside. Hopefully, this new staff can help him make adjustments and help him stay locked in for a full season.

Superstar Spotlight: James Wood ️

The Capitol's Kaiju:

Age: 23 – 6' 7" | 234 lbs (The size of an NFL defensive end)

• 80-Grade raw power with "freakish" speed for his size.
• Advanced barrel control and a coordinated "short" swing despite his long levers.

2025 MLB… pic.twitter.com/fIwkCDO8Da

— oBAWanKenobi (@wOBAWanKenobi) February 1, 2026

He is not the only young position player this staff will need to develop though. Dylan Crews and Brady House showed they have a long way to go with their MLB performances last year. The talent is still there for both, especially Crews. It is critical for the health of the rebuild that at least one of those guys takes a big step next year.

There is also new catcher Harry Ford. Toboni’s first big move as Nats POBO was to acquire him in exchange for Jose A. Ferrer. We know Ferrer has big upside and a lot of team control. That means the Nats are going to have to turn Ford into a quality starting catcher to make this trade a win.

Given his production and pedigree, Ford has a good chance of becoming that. However, this new coaching staff will need to help him, especially on the defensive side of the ball. If Ford becomes a starting catcher, this trade is an easy win for the Nats. Overall, the Nats have a lot of position players that could break out. For this season to be a success, a few of them need to take major steps in the right direction.

Find Breakout Stars on the Mound:

The Nationals pitching staff has very few name brands, especially after trading away MacKenzie Gore. Given the names on the roster, it would be tough to project the Nats pitching staff to be even average. I would expect some blowup outings this year. However, the season could still be a success if a few Nats arms really break out.

My breakout candidate on the staff is Cade Cavalli. He has tremendous stuff and finally has a full, healthy offseason. There are a lot of smart people that really like what Cavalli has to offer. His fastball is in the upper 90’s and he has a filthy curveball to go with it. Cavalli’s changeup also shows major promise as well.

Cade Cavalli, Bound to Breakout:

A Thread pic.twitter.com/LqzynzjSxs

— Remi Bunikiewicz (@RBunikiewicz) August 17, 2025

New pitching coach Simon Mathews will have a lot to work with here. However, Cavalli is far from a finished product. He gets hit harder than a guy with his stuff should. That comes down to his command within the zone. Cavalli was throwing strikes, but too many pitches were in the middle of the plate.

Sequencing is one thing a lot of Nats pitchers could improve. Last season, Nats pitchers were throwing way too many fastballs. We saw what happened when Kyle Finnegan cut his fastball usage after his trade to the Tigers. I would expect the Nats fastball usage to come way down this season.

Too many Nats pitchers were throwing their average heaters far too often. This applies to the likes of Jake Irvin, Mitchell Parker and relievers such as Jackson Rutledge. I think all of these pitchers will be leaning more on their secondary stuff this year.

Speaking of relievers, Paul Toboni is betting on internal improvement and his ability to find hidden gems. There is no clear closer right now, though my prediction would be that Clayton Beeter gets the 9th inning. Given his love for the waiver wire, I could really see Toboni churning through bullpen arms until he finds the right combination.

Clayton Beeter slams the door for his 1st career save 13.2 straight scoreless, 20 Ks, just 2 hits allowed since joining the Nats. 96+ heat, filthy slider. The kid’s nasty. #NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/JtgcqKPGN7

— natsfanatics (@natsfanatics_) September 15, 2025

Even when the Nats were good, Mike Rizzo struggled to build bullpens. I have more faith in Toboni to find the right mix in the ‘pen. The Red Sox had a really good bullpen last year despite not having many big names besides Aroldis Chapman.

Whether it is Paxton Schultz, or Jackson Rutledge, or Cole Henry, I expect a couple of these under the radar bullpen arms to surprise us. I have no idea which ones will though. The pitching will likely struggle this year, but hopefully the Nats can find a few hidden gems in the rubble.

Development on the Farm:

While the MLB team will have the most eyeballs, some of the most important Nationals developments of 2026 will be taking place on the farm. Paul Toboni’s stated mission is to build a scouting and player development monster. A lot of that process will be taking place in the minors.

Toboni has already improved the Nats farm system with his trades, but that is only the first step of his process. He has placed a huge emphasis on improving players and building organizational depth. We will get a chance to see that in action on the farm.

Right now, the Nats farm is considered to be in the middle of the pack by most. However, I believe the Nats will have a top 10, if not top 5 farm by the end of the year. While some of that will be due to future trades and the draft, the main improvement will come from internal development.

The Nationals farm system is good right now but has a chance to be special this time next year. Our guy @PaulCubbage23 examined what the Nats system could look like in a year https://t.co/chHn954Zyv

— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball) January 30, 2026

The Nats have so many breakout candidates on the farm right now. It feels like at least a couple of them have to explode this year. There is finally a proper infrastructure around these talented players and a real focus on their development.

There may not be a ton of winning at the MLB level, but I think we will see a lot of wins on the farm. Paul Toboni is building this thing from the ground up. That means we will see success at the minor league levels before the MLB. While minor league records do not mean a ton, do not be surprised if these Nats farm teams win more games. It would be a good sign of improved depth in the system.

A lot of the Nats talent is at the lower levels right now. The Fred Nats in particular should be a lot of fun to watch. Following these guys from Low-A to the big leagues is very exciting. Hopefully, the guys we see on the Fred Nats right now are playing playoff games for the Nationals in 5 years.

What Does Success Look Like:

For 2026, winning a lot of games is not what will make the Nats season a success. Sure, it would be awesome if this team shocked the world and made the playoffs, but that is unlikely. There are also other ways to measure success for this team.

I get that it is tiring to have to measure success through development rather than wins, but that is the reality of the situation. The Nats are not built to win now. Hopefully this team can win more games than last year, but even if they win 65-70 games, the season can be successful if the right players take the right steps and the farm system is in a healthy position. The hope is that these moral victories will turn into actual victories in the future.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...eason-look-like-2026-for-washington-nationals

 

[Washington Nationals]

Which Washington Nationals player would be the best in the NFL?

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 16, 2025: Elijah Green #21 of the Washington Nationals bats during the fifth inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the New York Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 16, 2025 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

With the Super Bowl tonight, I got to thinking. Which Washington Nationals players could be NFL players? There are a lot of really good athletes on this team, so I had plenty of options. However, I settled on four players. Three of them are currently in the organization, while one is no longer with the Nats.

The four players are Elijah Green, Trea Turner, CJ Abrams and Joey Wiemer. All of them are absolutely freakish athletes that would fit in on an NFL field. All of them have positions on the field that would suit them as well. Without further ado, let’s get into it.

Elijah Green has struggled due to hit tool issues in pro ball, but the former top 5 pick might be the freakiest athlete of the four. He is 6’3 225 pounds with an elite blend of power and speed. Football is also in his blood, with his dad Eric being a pro bowl Tight End back in the day.

When you look at him running, you can just picture him being a big safety or a sideline to sideline linebacker. Green is just a freakish mover for his size. There is actually a player in the Super Bowl with a similar combination of size and speed. That is Seahawks rookie safety Nick Emmanwori.

20 year old @Nationals prospect Elijah Green running some sprints preparing for the season. pic.twitter.com/TknEzi2ZvO

— Prospect Dugout (@prospectdugout) January 23, 2024

Green and Emmanwori have very similar measurables. They are both 6’3, but Emmanwori is 5 pounds lighter at 220 pounds. Emmanwori has been a key part of the Seahawks defense as a rookie. He has been a highly versatile defensive back who specializes playing in the slot. Green has the same sort of movement skills. Given his struggles in pro ball, this could honestly be something to consider.

The only former Nat I put on the list is Trea Turner. You just could not make a list of potential NFL players with Nationals connections without him. Even at 32 years old, Turner is still one of the fastest players in the league. He is also incredibly smooth and fluid as an athlete.

Trea Turner’s Sprint Speed and where that ranks in MLB:

2025- 30.3 (1st in MLB)
2024- 29.6 (21st in MLB)
2023- 30.3 (4th in MLB)
2022- 30.3 (4th in MLB)
2021- 30.6 (1st in MLB)
2020- 29.9 (4th in MLB)
2019- 30.3 (2nd in MLB)
2018- 30.1 (6th in MLB)
2017- 30.3 (5th in MLB)
2016-… pic.twitter.com/rJo5EY2v9A

— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) January 2, 2026

All of those things would make him a great wide receiver. At 6’1 185 pounds, he would probably have to bulk up a bit though. However, if he put on another 10 pounds, his measurables would be similar to Seahawks star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. JSN is listed at 6’0 197 pounds. Turner is 6’1 185 pounds, so not too far off.

I actually think Turner is a bit faster than JSN. However, Smith-Njigba’s route running is what makes him special. Obviously, Turner would not be that level of route runner, but his speed and overall movement skills would make him a good receiver.

To stop elite receivers like JSN, you need lockdown cornerbacks. This is where I think CJ Abrams could thrive. A lot of the best corners are on the leaner side like Abrams. They rely on their speed and ability to turn and run. Abrams certainly has that ability to run, as we see on the basepaths.

enjoyed this closer look at CJ Abrams

ugly start on a bad team made it hard for him to really pop but a 22-year-old SS w/ 18 HR/47 SB (& only caught 4 times!) should've been a bigger deal

clearly more adjustments needed but the physical tools are still freaky

big '24 in store https://t.co/QCTu8Rme07 pic.twitter.com/iZHlghcMBC

— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) January 31, 2024

At 6’0 191 pounds, he also just looks like a cornerback. He is a very similar size to former Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, who is 6’0 185 pounds. Both also have dynamic movement skills and speed.

You can just picture Abrams running with receivers and matching them step for step. While he is not on the list, Jacob Young also has the natural athleticism to be one of the rare white cornerbacks. Cooper DeJean showed us it could be done. Maybe in another life, Young could have followed that career path.

Finally, the last player I am going to talk about is not as well-known and is new to the Nationals. The Nats claimed Joey Wiemer off of waivers earlier this winter. They did so because of his defense, athleticism and power. He does not have great hitting ability, but he is a tremendous athlete. Wiemer can make highlight reel plays in the outfield.

Joey said 'not today'.

Vote Wiemer for All-Star: https://t.co/QW3CNiAUAT pic.twitter.com/TGZrgfIRbj

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) June 7, 2023

At 6’4 226 pounds, Wiemer is an impressive physical specimen. With that size, he could play linebacker in the NFL. Fred Warner, the best linebacker in football, is a similar size at 6’3 230 pounds. Wiemer’s size and speed would make him a formidable backer in the league. He probably has the frame to add about 10 pounds if he really wanted to play football as well.

There are a lot of really high level athletes who have played in the Nats organization. Many of them would not look out of place on an NFL field if that was what they decided to pursue instead of baseball. Maybe we could have seen CJ Abrams trying to guard Trea Turner in another life.

I am very excited to watch the Super Bowl and watch these amazing athletes. Who do you guys think will win tonight? Also, do you think I left off any Nationals players who could have been NFL stars if they played football? Let me know in the comments.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...hington-nationals-player-would-be-best-in-nfl

 

[Washington Nationals]

The Washington Nationals need to make additions as Spring Training approaches

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 9: Rhys Hoskins #12 of the Milwaukee Brewers walks back to the dugout after breaking his bat and fouling out during the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on September 9, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Pitchers and catchers report to camp tomorrow, and the Washington Nationals roster still feels painfully incomplete. Even for a team that does not have serious playoff aspirations, there are still holes that need to be filled. The team lacks veteran leaders and proven commodities. Hopefully new President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni can do something to fix that as the offseason winds down.

For his part, Toboni has acknowledged that the team needs more additions. In interviews from the past couple of weeks, Toboni said that the team is not set heading to West Palm Beach and that the team is actively looking for pitching help. However, no deals have materialized since then, besides waiver wire action.

From two weeks ago, a compilation from 2 interviews that Paul Toboni gave:

"By no means do we feel we're set going into West Palm."

"We're actively looking in that [pitching] market, and I think there's a chance we can sign a player here in the next week or two. But we will… pic.twitter.com/OAE86MOtge

— Talk Nats (@TalkNats) February 5, 2026

Hopefully Toboni sticks to his word because he is right that the team is not complete. In fact, they are far from it. The Nats have as many holes as Swiss Cheese right now. There are question marks at first base, DH, the rotation and in the bullpen. You can have internal competitions at some of those spots, but it would be unsettling to do it at all of those positions.

The Nats are not going to be a good team this year, but fans still want to see a respectable product on the field. Right now, it does not seem like there is a serious effort to do that. The only free agent signing Paul Toboni has made is the $5.5 million addition of Foster Griffin, who has spent the last three years in Japan.

The Nats have not signed a player to a big league contract that actually played in the big leagues last year. Even in a rebuilding year, that is unacceptable. It is something Toboni needs to fix, for the sake of the fans if nothing else.

Most of the high profile free agents are off the board, but that is okay because the Nats were never fishing in that pool. However, there are still some solid free agents available that could be in the Nats price range. Some names to watch could be Rhys Hoskins and former Nats draft pick Lucas Giolito.

Now only eight of the @TheAthleticMLB's top 50 free agents remain unsigned, including none of the top 20.

21. Zac Gallen
30. Lucas Giolito
31. Chris Bassitt
37. Zack Littell
38. Marcell Ozuna
41. Max Scherzer
43. Rhys Hoskins
50. Michael Kopechhttps://t.co/a6wfQyi7RK

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) February 6, 2026

The Nats need reliability at first base and in the rotation. Giolito and Hoskins are veteran presences who can provide that. While the underlying numbers suggest Giolito’s 3.41 ERA from last year is not sustainable, he should still be able to provide league average production which the Nats desperately need in their rotation.

Other starters they could turn to for that include Nick Martinez, Chris Bassitt and Zack Littell. Zac Gallen is also on the market, but Toboni is likely to stay away from him due to his price tag and the qualifying offer attached to him. Toboni does not seem like he is in the business of giving away draft picks.

Another area that could use a boost is the bullpen. The Nats had the worst bullpen in all of baseball last year and it got worse on paper over the offseason. Toboni traded away Jose A. Ferrer, the Nats most promising reliever. It was a deal I liked, but it still weakens the bullpen. The Nats are projected to have the worst bullpen in baseball again in 2026.

Fangraphs RP DC Rankings (Bottom 5)
26th: Athletics (1.3 fWAR)
27th: DBacks (1.2 fWAR)
28th: Rockies (1.1 fWAR)
29th: Giants (1.1 fWAR)
30th: Nats (0.4 fWAR)
Bullpens shouldn’t be the main focus of a rebuilding team, but they cannot go into 2026 without any new additions https://t.co/9TP84FDuFK

— Paul Cubbage (@PaulCubbage23) February 2, 2026

The free agent options are slim, but there are still some names available. Michael Kopech could be an interesting flier to take. He has injury issues, but also possesses huge upside. If the Nats wanted a safer option, veteran lefties Danny Coulombe or Jalen Beeks could be options.

I am not expecting any massive additions, but are a couple stabilizing additions too much to ask for? With this pitching staff, the Nats are really running the risk of bottoming out and losing 100+ games. Even in a rebuild, that is not something you want to do, especially with a draft lottery in place.

A few veterans would help the young guys develop and keep the fans engaged. Speaking of the fans, how about an addition of Max Scherzer? I know that would fire me up and he would be such a great leader for this young team. Both the Nats and Scherzer have reasons to not be interested in each other, but it would be a ton of fun.

Pitchers and catchers report tomorrow and the Nats roster just feels so unfinished. Can you really roll out there with this rotation, Abimelec Ortiz or Matt Mervis at first base, and this no name bullpen? It just feels like you would be asking for trouble. I guess we are going to find out based on what Paul Toboni does in the coming days and weeks.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...eed-make-additions-spring-training-approaches

 

[Washington Nationals]

Fangraphs’ ZiPS Doesn’t Like The 2026 Nationals Much. Does That Matter?

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 27: James Wood #29 of the Washington Nationals takes a swing during a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox at the Nationals Park on September 27, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Following a disappointing 2025 season where the Nationals went 66-96, Fangraphs doesn’t expect the results to be much improved entering the 2026 season, with their ZiPS projection system placing them at an estimated 63-99 record this season. While this number won’t bring much joy to Nats fans about how this season is going to look, it’s important to look at this number in context and understand how accurate these projections really are.

First off, it’s important to understand what ZiPS is and why it’s worth looking at when evaluating a roster as a whole. ZiPS uses player aging curves, along with all sorts of Statcast data and injury history, to project how every player on a team will perform in an upcoming season.

Once that has been compiled, they project the playing time of all these players on a club, and then run roughly 10,000 simulations of the season to find the most likely scenario for a ballclub. While it shouldn’t be taken as gospel, as there are so many external factors that go into a team’s season, it can offer a useful guide for how clubs should be viewed entering a season.

I’ve compared ZiPS projected record for the Nats from 2025 to 2015 (excluding 2020) to their actual records in those years, and a few things stand out. For starters, the only years I’d say the projection system was way, way off were in 2021 and 2022, years where the Nationals roster was changing vastly from beginning to end of the year.

ZiPS still had faith in the Nationals’ big three of Scherzer, Strasburg, and Corbin to hold down the rotation in 2021, and thought the big bats of Juan Soto and Trea Turner, with the addition of Josh Bell and Kyle Schwarber to the lineup, would be enough to keep the Nationals at least relevant that season. The 2021 Nats had a wide range of outcomes, and, unfortunately, they ultimately ended on the bad side of that outcome range, finishing 18 wins under their projection with 65.

In 2022, it’s hard to say quite why ZiPS thought the Nats would be at least a watchable group, but it also couldn’t have projected for the midseason loss of Juan Soto or the atrocious performance of Nelson Cruz after nothing but years of raking. ZiPS also anticipated a rebound in success from Patrick Corbin and Stephen Strasburg to pitch at least a portion of that year, 2 things that we now know did not happen at all. 2022 was ZiPS’ biggest miss in modern times when it comes to projecting the Nationals’ record, with the actual 2022 Nats finishing a whopping 21 wins under their projection.

Outside of those 2 years, ZiPS has been rather on the money with its Nationals record predictions, finishing within 10 games 7 of 8 years, and within 5 games in 4 of those 8. It’s done particularly on the money on the Nats club of the past 3 seasons, undershooting slightly on the 2023 and 2024 Nats win totals, before overshooting a little bit on the 2025 Nats.

So what does all of this mean for the 2026 Nationals? It means it could be another long season full of growing pains, but it’s also worth considering the external variable that could affect this projection. For starters, there is an entirely new front office and coaching staff in place from years past, meaning new voices for the players to hear from and potentially help find another gear of success in them.

There are also plenty of youngsters on the ballclub, such as Brady House and Harry Ford, who could break out at anytime, something the model struggles to account for as compared to veterans that it has lots of success to back up its projections.

Overall, while these models and projection systems can be fun to look at and attempt to decipher during the offseason, all bets are off once it’s time to playball, as the 2026 Nationals could come out swinging and make these numbers all look silly. Still, based on the historical trend of these projections, it would be unwise to dismiss them completely.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...s-doesnt-like-2026-nationals-does-that-matter

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals bosses Paul Toboni and Blake Butera meet with the media before Spring Training

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 17: Washington Nationals President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni (R) introduces Washington Nationals Manager Blake Butera (L) during a press conference at Nationals Park on November 17, 2025 in Washington, DC. Butera became the eighth manager in Nationals team history and the youngest manager in Major League Baseball since 1972. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Earlier today, the Nationals held a virtual press conference with Paul Toboni and Blake Butera before pitchers and catchers officially report tomorrow. I was actually able to participate in the presser, and asked a question to Blake Butera. Unfortunately, time ran out before I could ask my question to Toboni, but there is always next time. For the full presser, here is the link.

Manager Blake Butera (12:00) and President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni (12:20) will meet the media this afternoon. Tune in to the link below to watch live:https://t.co/0yrrYYrxrn

— Nationals Communications (@NationalsComms) February 10, 2026

It was a lot of fun to be a part of this, and I was truly honored. We have come a long way as a site in the past year or so, and hopefully this is the first of many press conferences for us.

Toboni actually shouted out the Washington Post Nats team which was recently laid off. I thought that was a cool touch. He seemed genuinely shocked and horrified by the decision. I feel the same way about it too. It was a very classy move from him and something I appreciated.

On to the questions themselves, I asked Butera about which player he thinks will surprise people this season. If you want to watch along, my question is at the 11:30 mark. Butera said that Robert Hassell III is the player that could surprise people.

Got to ask Blake a question about who could surprise this spring. He shouted out Robert Hassell III. Hopefully I can get a chance to ask something to Paul next time https://t.co/0PF4tWlkv7

— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball) February 10, 2026

He told me that when discussing the Nats deep group of outfielders, “Sometimes people forget about Robert Hassell”. Butera noted that Hassell was motivated to get bigger and stronger this offseason. He told me that he was impressed with how hard Hassell worked this offseason. As one of the players that got down to Florida early, Butera got to see Hassell put in that work.

Hassell’s focus on getting bigger and stronger this offseason has already become a storyline heading into camp. At a fan event a couple weeks ago, Butera said that Hassell put on 25 pounds of bulk this offseason. That is a big change and will be something to follow as we head into the season.

Blake Butera said @robert_hassell3 put on 25 pounds of bulk. pic.twitter.com/rHL8jX5E6O

— Talk Nats (@TalkNats) January 31, 2026

We saw Jacob Young put on muscle last offseason and it did not have the desired effects. Hopefully, Hassell’s added weight helps his game. When you looked at him last year, it was pretty clear that he had room to add weight. However, 25 pounds in one winter is a big transformation. I am curious to see how he carries that weight and if he can maintain his athleticism.

As for the press conference as a whole, there was not any groundbreaking news, but it was still interesting. Toboni and Butera got to talk about their process which I found neat. Butera discussed some of his first impressions about the players and how he is settling into the job.

Toboni talked about his process oriented vision. One part I found interesting was when Toboni said he and the staff will be challenging players on their weaknesses. The example he used was chase rate. If a player is chasing too much, they will show them the specific numbers until they get better.

This was a cool event for me and a big step for the site as a whole. I am grateful to the Nats for letting me be a part of this. We will be heading down to West Palm Beach for a week in March, so hopefully we get more opportunities to talk with Blake and Paul soon.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...lake-butera-meet-media-before-spring-training

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals acquire Andre Granillo for recently DFA’d George Soriano

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - AUGUST 16: Andre Granillo #65 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch against the New York Yankees at Busch Stadium on August 16, 2025 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) | Getty Images

With one day before pitchers and catchers report to camp, Paul Toboni made a move. He traded the recently DFA’d George Soriano for Cardinals reliever Andre Granillo. This is just an exchange of two players on the fringes of 40 man rosters, but it is one the Nats did well in. Granillo has some interesting traits as a slider heavy reliever.

Nationals acquire right-handed pitcher Andre Granillo https://t.co/julmvXgGHg

— Nationals Communications (@NationalsComms) February 10, 2026

This is an interesting trade because the Cardinals could have waited to claim Soriano, but wanted to jump the line. They probably gave Toboni the choice of a few players on the edge of the 40 man roster and gave him a choice. Granillo might have been the one the Cardinals DFA’d if they decided to just claim Soriano.

Granillo is a 25 year old reliever who has some intriguing qualities. His primary pitch is his slider, which he just spams. In the MLB, he threw the pitch 65% of the time in his 14 outings. At the AAA level, he threw it 55% of the time. Despite the heavy usage, the pitch was still dominant.

MLB hitters only batted .245 against the pitch with an expected batting average of .188. Granillo also got whiffs at nearly a 35% clip. The slider was even more dominant in the minors with a .139 expected batting average and a 47.5% whiff rate. Here is a look at the pitch.

Nats trade George Soriano to the Cardinals for Andre Granillo pic.twitter.com/wM0mCpLx2n

— Kev (@klwoodjr) February 10, 2026

While Granillo is very slider heavy, his fastball has enough life for hitters to respect it. He averaged 94.6 MPH on the pitch, but his fastball shape is not very good. It can be used as a pitch to keep hitters off guard though.

Granillo had a 4.71 ERA in 14 outings at the MLB level, but he showed some promising flashes. He only struck out 19.8% of hitters, but his whiff rate was excellent at 31.5%. Granillo also limited hard contact well with an average exit velocity of 86.7 MPH and a hard hit rate of just 27.7%. These are some things for the 25 year old to build on.

While the results in the MLB were mixed, he was dominant in AAA. He posted a 1.29 ERA in 42 innings with 58 strikeouts. Getting a pitcher that is that productive, who is still pretty young is a major win for Toboni.

Andre Granillo at Triple A in 2025
-42 IP, all in relief
-1.29 ERA
-2.42 FIP
-27.3 K-BB%
-91st percentile xwOBA
-92nd percentile whiff rate
-94th percentile strikeout rate
Acquired for a guy picked up off waivers a few days ago? That’ll play. https://t.co/ds8S6QgLXY

— Paul Cubbage (@PaulCubbage23) February 10, 2026

I am also interested to see what Toboni can do with Granillo. He might try to diversify Granillo’s pitch mix. There is an intriguing changeup that Granillo threw that could be used as a third pitch more frequently. He also experimented with a sinker, which could be a good idea given his lack of ground balls and sub-optimal fastball shape.

It feels like Toboni may have fleeced his former boss Chaim Bloom here. Granillo is not likely to ever be a closer, but he looks like a solid medium leverage option who is young and has options.

The corresponding move to this was sending Trevor Williams to the 60-day IL. This is unsurprising given that Williams is coming back from elbow surgery. It also underscores the Nats need for starting pitching.

The Nats will be able to open up at least one more 40-man spot with DJ Herz likely to start the year on the 60-day IL. Hopefully that spot can go to a starting pitcher. Picking up Granillo is a nice move, but the Nats still need more pitching.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...tionals-acquire-andre-granillo-george-soriano

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals pitchers and catchers officially report today

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUG 13: Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jake Irvin (27) and Washington Nationals catcher Drew Millas (81) walk to the dugout after warming up before a MLB game between the Washington Nationals and the Kansas City Royals on August 13, 2025, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The day has finally arrived. Washington Nationals pitchers and catchers are officially reporting to camp today. After a long winter, the baseball season is finally here. While the weather is still chilly in DC, the first sign of spring is here. The expectations for this team are not very high, but it is still exciting to see the Nats back in action.

We made it.

Pitchers and catchers report today and baseball is officially back. The long winter is over and Nationals season starts now.

Who are you most excited to watch this spring? pic.twitter.com/4KunbQMjLL

— natsfanatics (@natsfanatics_) February 10, 2026

This is one of the best days on the baseball calendar. I can’t help but feel so alive when I hear the crack of the bat or the pop of the catchers mitt. This Spring Training is going to be different for the Nats. It is the first camp without Davey Martinez and Mike Rizzo running the show for a long time. Instead, we have the youthful duo of Paul Toboni and Blake Butera.

Pitchers and catchers are the only ones who officially report today. However, there are plenty of early arrivals to Nats camp. The Nats social media pages put out plenty of content yesterday, and a lot of players were already in West Palm Beach. Brady House, Luis Garcia Jr., Dylan Crews and more were spotted in West Palm yesterday.

look what we found pic.twitter.com/wdn7L1rs6d

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) February 10, 2026

This does not surprise me one bit. The Nationals are a young roster and these players have a lot to prove. They are also going to want to impress their new bosses. Paul Toboni is not as directly tied to these players as Mike Rizzo was, which makes them more disposable. Toboni was not the person who drafted or signed most of these players. That means these players will want to make a strong first impression.

For guys like Garcia, House and Crews, 2026 will be a major year for their careers. All of them had disappointing 2025 seasons, at least at the MLB level. Garcia is looking to bounce back, while House and Crews are looking to establish themselves. The new bosses seem very open to competition, and these guys want to prove themselves.

Speaking of the new bosses, both Toboni and Butera did a press conference before setting sail for West Palm Beach. There was nothing overly newsworthy in it, but both men talked about what they wanted to see this spring, as well as their philosophies. I also got to ask a question to Butera, which was fun.

I attended a virtual press conference with Blake Butera and Paul Toboni. Here are my takeaways and what I asked Butera https://t.co/efeYrPCJrJ

— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball) February 10, 2026

Speaking of those philosophies, they will be meaningfully different from the last regime. There is going to be more of a focus on analytics and using technology. For the first time, the Nats will have a Trajekt Arc machine at their Spring Training facility. I am sure that is not the only new piece of technology we see.

It will be interesting to see what kind of changes these players make based on the new data. I would not be surprised if a bunch of Nationals pitchers add new pitches or tweak their arsenals. A potential big storyline this spring will be Nats pitchers throwing fewer fastballs.

The Red Sox have been leading the way on cutting fastball usage, and that is where Toboni comes from. A lot of Nats pitchers were throwing mediocre fastballs too much. That should change in 2026, and we will see the first signs of that this spring.

It is so exciting to see baseball back. The clips the Nats media team puts out of the boys in action will just warm my heart. Sure, the team may not be good, but a bad baseball team is better than no baseball team. There are also going to be plenty of great storylines to follow in the drama that is the baseball season. Buckle up, because the boys are back in town.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...als-pitchers-catchers-officially-report-today

 

[Washington Nationals]

How will the Washington Nationals rotation look with Miles Mikolas in the mix?

CINCINNATI, OHIO - MARCH 28: Josiah Gray #40 of the Washington Nationals pitches in the first inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on March 28, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Yesterday, Paul Toboni finally made a move in the rotation. Bringing in Miles Mikolas on a one-year $2.25 million deal is not exactly what fans were dreaming of, but it is a move. With Mikolas highly likely to be in the rotation, I wanted to take a look at what the Nats pitching staff could look like entering 2026.

RHP Miles Mikolas and the Nationals are reportedly in agreement on a contract. pic.twitter.com/OvTHDDCkR8

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 11, 2026

While the rotation is full of uncertainty, I do think there are three locks. Those are free agent signings Foster Griffin and Miles Mikolas. The other is Cade Cavalli, who is the highest upside arm on the team. It will be an open competition for the last two spots. I think Jake Irvin will take one of them, but after how he performed last season, he is not a lock.

Brad Lord is an interesting case. He had an impressive rookie season last year, but was more effective in a relief role. In his 19 starts, Lord posted a 4.99 ERA. For 2025 Nats standards, that is not awful, but it is still not good. However, in his 29 relief outings, Lord posted a 2.79 ERA. With Lord’s increased velocity in the ‘pen and his limited pitch mix, a bullpen role could be a better fit. Still, Lord may be one of the five best guys for the Nats in the rotation.

The Nats are short on proven commodities, but they have plenty of options. Guys like Josiah Gray, Mitchell Parker, Andrew Alvarez and even waiver claim Ken Waldichuk could get a shot to compete for rotation spots. The quality may not be great, but the Nats have more bodies than they have had in the past.

Projecting the arms who could make up the Nationals' rotation in 2026:

Cade Cavalli
Brad Lord
Miles Mikolas
Josiah Gray
Jake Irvin

Also receiving votes:
Foster Griffin
Mitchell Parker
Ken Waldichuk
Andrew Alvarez
Riley Cornelio

— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) February 11, 2026

Gray is an interesting case as well. He has missed most of the past two seasons due to Tommy John Surgery. However, he made the All-Star game and posted a sub-4 ERA the last time he pitched a full season in 2023. Even in that season though, we saw Gray’s flaws and that sub-4 ERA was pretty lucky based on the underlying numbers. If his stuff looks good this spring, he should get a spot in the rotation though.

There are also a couple of guys on the mend that could play a role later this season. The Nats have already placed Trevor Williams and DJ Herz on the 60-day IL. This is not much of a surprise, as both are recovering from elbow surgeries.

Herz is a guy I am particularly intrigued by though. He was super promising in 2024, and was a popular breakout candidate for 2025. However, he looked bad in Spring Training last year and then it was revealed that he needed Tommy John Surgery. If Herz can come back and be the guy he was in 2024, he will be a massive piece of the Nats rotation.

Herz does have some command concerns, so there is a chance the Nats just decide to let him rip in the bullpen. Luis Perales is in a similar boat, but he is further removed from his Tommy John. He should start the season in the Minors, but could play a role, either in the rotation or the bullpen.

The biggest X-factor in the Nats rotation though is Cade Cavalli. On paper, Cavalli will be the Nats ace. He showed major promise down the stretch last season. His stuff looked very sharp, and his fastball averaged 97.

Cade Cavalli first major league win comes against the Phillies

pic.twitter.com/R2uDIfgmtm

— Kev (@klwoodjr) August 16, 2025

Manager Blake Butera has already praised Cavalli’s mound presence. For the first time in a while, Cavalli will be entering a season with no health restrictions. He is ready to rock and roll. The 2020 first round pick is finally going to be able to be a part of the rotation on a full time basis.

I also think he is going to really be helped by the Nats new pitching philosophy. He has the stuff, but his execution and sequencing could use some work. Hopefully, new pitching coach Simon Mathews can help him out with that.

For the guys who do not make the rotation, they could still make an impact as long relief options. Paul Toboni and Blake Butera do not seem married to the idea of having a set five man rotation where the goal is for these guys to go at least five innings every time. That philosophy could make the roles of Mitchell Parker or Andrew Alvarez important.

Alvarez showed some nice things down the stretch. He does not have amazing stuff, but he has a deep mix and can throw any pitch in any count. Alvarez also has a strong feel for spin and executes well. He is a guy who can fool lineups for one or two turns, but does not have the stuff to face hitters a third time. The Nats new regime will have a use for a guy like that.

There are still more questions than answers on this Nats pitching staff, but the pickup of Mikolas does provide some clarity. The Nats now have a guy they will be confident in to take the ball every fifth day and give them some length. I also wonder if the Mikolas pickup makes Irvin a bit redundant. Last year, he was the innings eater with not great stuff. If he comes out throwing 90-92 MPH again this spring, he could be in trouble.

There is competition all across this roster. For a team that is not very good, I like that. If we can find one or two unexpected breakout guys who could be a part of the next good Nats team, that would be a win. Also, so much can change between now and even the start of the season. Buckle up ladies and gentleman, because baseball is here.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...-nationals-rotation-look-miles-mikolas-in-mix

 

[Washington Nationals]

Which Washington Nationals Non-Roster Invite has the best chance of making the roster?

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 16: Warming Bernabel #25 of the Colorado Rockies reacts during the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Saturday, August 16, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Casey Paul/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Every year, teams have non-roster invites to Spring Training. They are a mixture of prospects who are not on the 40-man roster and veterans trying to fight their way on to the roster. The Nats have found some gems among their pool of NRI’s the past couple years. In 2024, Jesse Winker was a non-roster invite and last year Brad Lord made the team out of camp as an NRI.

This year the Nats have 62 total players at camp, which is on the bigger side. The NRI’s range from prospects, to journeymen, to familiar faces who have been DFA’d lately. While most of these guys will not make the roster and head to the Minor Leagues, one or two of these players are likely to stick.

our 2026 spring training roster is official pic.twitter.com/2B3drg3ktu

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) February 9, 2026

I wanted to go over a few of the players who have the best chance of making the team. The battle for the first base position will be one of the biggest stories this spring. There will be a few NRI’s who are battling for that first base position. Warming Bernabel, Matt Mervis and Yohandy Morales all have a chance to win at least a share of the first base job with a strong spring.

The first player I want to discuss is Morales. He was the Nats second round pick in 2023, and is a fairly well regarded prospect. However, his stock has been slowly dipping the past couple of years due to some red flags in his profile. In college, he played third base, but has made the move to first now. Naturally, sliding down the defensive spectrum hurts.

However, the biggest concerns stem from his bat. Morales has huge raw power, but his batted ball profile and his whiff issues are concerning. Last year, he hit the ball on the ground over 50% of the time and struck out over 30% of the time in AAA. Morales had a good start to the year in AA, but the move up to Triple-A saw mixed results.

He still has a chance to make the team with a big spring though. I am very interested to see if he is helped by the new hitting coaches. Scouts have been worried about Morales’ swing mechanics and hopefully the new staff can clean them up. He was highly productive in the Puerto Rican Winter League and in the Caribbean Series, but the level of competition there is not the highest. Still, we got a glimpse of his raw power.

Yohandy Morales is on a heater.

The Nats 2023 second rounder crushed a 445 foot homer in the Caribbean Series semifinals and finished winter ball hitting .395 in Puerto Rico.

Stock up? pic.twitter.com/z0iE7htXyX

— natsfanatics (@natsfanatics_) February 7, 2026

Morales is a player I will be watching closely. There are a few players who are ahead of him in the race for first base at the moment. However, Morales may have more upside than anyone. It is far from a given, but he is a breakout candidate.

Matt Mervis and Warming Bernabel are two minor league free agents the Nats signed this offseason. Both will have a chance to win the 1B job this spring. There is a chance Bernabel and Mervis could be platoon partners if both impress this spring.

Bernabel became a bit of a cult hero for a horrid Rockies team after a hot start to his MLB career in late July. The 23 year old was hitting .500 with 3 homers in his first week as a big leaguer. However, he came crashing down to earth. Bernabel ended the season with a .252 average and .698 OPS.

He still has some interesting traits though. Bernabel makes a lot of contact and hits the ball in the air a lot. He only struck out 17.1% of the time and pulled the ball in the air over 20% of the time. Both of those numbers are above average. This gives him a path to some offensive production.

I truly hope Warming Bernabel has a Joey Meneses-like breakout with the Nationals. pic.twitter.com/Ak2W7yZx7j

— Sam Fosberg (@discussbaseball) December 20, 2025

However, Bernabel does not hit the ball very hard and chases a lot. That is not a great combination, especially for a first baseman. Maybe Bernabel can be a platoon bat at first base, but his upside is not very high. However, he is still very young and provides quality depth.

Matt Mervis is a very different profile from Bernabel. He is your stereotypical left handed slugger at the first base position. Mervis has big time power and has shown it throughout his minor league career, with over 100 MILB homers. However, his hitting in the minors has not translated to MLB production.

Mervis, who is from Washington, DC, grew up a Nats fan. It would be a cool story if he could play for his hometown team. He said he grew up idolizing Ryan Zimmerman. Mervis looked like he was finally breaking through with the Marlins last April. He hit 7 homers in April and posted an .848 OPS.

Matt Mervis hit 7 HR with an .848 OPS across 68 at-bats in April. The Nats still believe. pic.twitter.com/DTEtmxUX1j

— Sam Fosberg (@discussbaseball) December 25, 2025

After a disastrous May, he lost his job and was eventually DFA’d. He will look to make it back to the big leagues this year. Mervis has big power, but he also has big swing and miss issues. He struck out 37.3% of the time last year. While it would be a cool story, Mervis seems like your standard Quad-A slugger.

There is one non-first baseman I want to take a look at and that is Orelvis Martinez. He is a true wild card, with a ton of upside but a low floor. A few years ago, the 24 year old Martinez was a top 100 prospect for the Blue Jays. His massive power and ability to stick on the infield made him highly touted.

He hit at least 28 homers in the minors every year from 2021 to 2023, where he steadily climbed the ranks. Some of those homers were truly majestic shots. Martinez has plus, maybe even plus-plus raw power and it shows up in games.

ORELVIS. MARTINEZ. GRAND. SLAM.

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

— Buffalo Bisons (@BuffaloBisons) April 17, 2024

After hitting 17 homers in 74 AAA games in 2024, and making his MLB debut, disaster struck. Martinez was popped for steroid use, and suspended 80 games. He was a shell of himself when he came back in 2025, hitting just .176 with 13 homers in 99 AAA games. Was he a product of steroids, or was it just a down year?

The Nats seem interested to find out, as they gave him a minor league deal with a spring training invite. Martinez can play second or third base at an adequate level. He has also been good against left handed pitching in his career. If Martinez has a good spring, he has a small chance of winning a platoon role. A pairing of Garcia and Martinez at second base could be interesting.

It is likely that he starts the season in AAA and looks to rebuild his stock. I would not be surprised at all if we saw Martinez in the MLB at some point this year. If last year was truly just a blip on the radar, the Nats could be getting a steal.

Those guys are the ones most likely to make the team, but there are a few other notable NRI’s to shout out. Andry Lara, Shinnosuke Ogasawara, Riley Adams and Trey Lipscomb were all DFA’d this offseason, but managed to clear waivers unclaimed. They were all invited to camp. A few of these guys have a chance to play a role at some point this year, but are unlikely to break camp.

Jarlin Susana and Travis Sykora are the Nats two best pitching prospects, and both got invited to camp. However, neither will pitch because they are injured. Sykora had Tommy John Surgery and Susana had Lat Surgery. Other notable prospects at camp include Seaver King, Andrew Pinckney and Caleb Lomavita.

There are also a few grizzled vets in the mix. Tres Barrera and Trevor Gott were Nats at one point. Now, they are looking for one last shot and are at big league camp. Sergio Alcantara is another veteran looking to catch on.

The position player side is more interesting this year, but guys like Zach Penrod and Bryce Montes De Oca are intriguing. Overall, this is a fun group and there are plenty of guys we will see on the roster at some point this season.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...n-roster-invite-has-best-chance-making-roster

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals sign veteran starting pitcher Miles Mikolas

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 2: Miles Mikolas #39 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the Athletics in the first inning at Busch Stadium on September 2, 2025 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Well, the Washington Nationals have made a free agent signing. It is not exactly a sexy addition, but according to Jake Mintz of Yahoo Sports the Nats have signed Miles Mikolas. The 37 year old Mikolas had been with the St. Louis Cardinals since 2018. At his peak, he was a solid mid rotation starter but now he is a true innings eater.

Nats are signing veteran SP Miles Mikolas, sources tell Yahoo Sports.

— Jake Mintz (@Jake_Mintz) February 11, 2026

This is not going to be a pretty season for the Nats pitching staff, and they need bodies to soak up innings. That is exactly what Mikolas can do. Mikolas has thrown at least 155 innings every season since 2022, and has made at least 31 starts every year in that time. The results have not been amazing in that time, with a 4.51 ERA over the last four years, but he takes the ball every fifth day.

After a disastrous 2024, where Mikolas posted a 5.35 ERA, he bounced back slightly in 2025. He posted a 4.84 ERA in 31 starts last year. Mikolas is a control first starter. He has walked less than two batters per 9 innings for his career. That allows him to go deep into games and give his team a chance to win. Since 2022, he is tied for the second most starts by a pitcher.

Mikolas, 37, had a 4.84 in 31 starts for the Cardinals last year. He's tied for the second most starts in MLB over the last four seasons.

Nats now have a second player older than their new manager, Blake Butera.

— Jake Mintz (@Jake_Mintz) February 11, 2026

This is obviously not a flashy addition, and I think there were more interesting innings eating options available. However, he can be a mentor for the young pitchers and take the ball every fifth day. I cannot say I am exactly excited by this news, but I understand the appeal I guess.

Maybe Simon Mathews can do something to help him out, but old dogs like this do not really learn new tricks. One potential option could be to just really trim his 4-seam fastball usage, but he does not really have a standout secondary pitch either. This really is just the epitome of an innings eater.

Mikolas actually does have some history with the Nats. Back in the 2019 playoffs, he and Juan Soto had a bit of a feud over the Soto shuffle. Mikolas was not a fan of the move, and when he got Soto out, he grabbed his crotch as retribution. So, there is that.

Juan Soto and Miles Mikolas grab their junk at each other, a breakdown pic.twitter.com/jgt2g9MgXU

— Jomboy (@Jomboy_) October 12, 2019

I am not a massive fan of this move because I do not see any real upside, but someone has to eat those innings. With Mikolas in the fold, I wonder how the rotation will look. Before his addition, the rotation consisted of Cade Cavalli, Josiah Gray, Brad Lord, Jake Irvin and Foster Griffin. It will be interesting to see which one of those five get the boot.

Lord was much more effective in a relief role last season, so that could be the plan. Gray’s spot will be dependent on how he looks this spring. He has missed a lot of time due to injury and we will have to see what his stuff looks like. In a rotation full of question marks, the Nats now have a proven commodity in Miles Mikolas.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...-nationals-sign-veteran-pitcher-miles-mikolas

 

[Washington Nationals]

Three MLB draft prospects for Washington Nationals fans to watch as the college season starts

CORAL GABLES, FL - MARCH 02: Florida pitcher Liam Peterson (12) pitches in the fourth inning as the Miami Hurricanes faced the Florida Gators on March 2, 2024, at Mark Light Field at Alex Rodriguez Park in Coral Gables, Florida. (Photo by Samuel Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The college baseball season starts today, which means it is officially draft season. I wanted to highlight a few college prospects that could be available for the Nats to select with the 11th pick. It is supposed to be a very good draft this year, so the Nats will have plenty of options.

Let's play ball! ️

https://t.co/i73Q25MuVk#NCAABaseball pic.twitter.com/yikZUKh7fl

— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) February 13, 2026

We have already written about a few prospects the Nats could take like Tyler Bell, Cameron Flukey, Jackson Flora and Chris Hacopian. The three prospects we are highlighting today are Florida RHP Liam Peterson, TCU outfielder Sawyer Strosnider and Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey. All of these players have wide ranges, but have a chance to be the pick for the Nats at 11th overall.

I want to start with Peterson, who is the most famous of the three. Some early rankings had him as the top college pitching prospect in this class, but Cameron Flukey and Jackson Flora are ahead of him on most boards now. As an SEC pitcher, he will be facing a higher caliber of hitter compared to Flora and Flukey, who play at UCSB and Coastal Carolina. That means he could end up being SP1 by the end of the season.

Peterson arguably has the best raw stuff of any pitcher in college baseball. His fastball is in the mid to upper 90’s with explosive life at the top of the zone. He also has two breaking balls with a chance to be plus pitches, showcasing a slider and a 12/6 curve. Peterson also shows a changeup with some promise, but is not as comfortable throwing it. One stuff model actually thinks Peterson is the nastiest returning pitcher in all of college baseball.

Happy College Baseball Opening Day! Here are the Top Returning Pitchers in Stuff+

Liam Peterson- 114
Thomas Burns -113
Cade Townsend – 113
Jackson Flora – 112
Robert Orloski – 112
Camron Seagraves – 111
Luke McNeillie – 111
Jack Ohman – 111
Joey Volchko – 111
Jacob Dudan – 110 pic.twitter.com/G8D5poyhY4

— Timothy Chen (@TimStats) February 13, 2026

Consistent strike throwing is the question mark for Peterson right now. His BB/9 went from over 6 his freshman year to 4.2 as a sophomore. However, that is still a bit higher than you would like. He also allowed more hits than you would think for a guy with his stuff, giving up 67 hits in 69.1 innings. Both Fangraphs and MLB Pipeline note some stiffness and effort in his delivery, which is worth monitoring. That could be why they both rank him at 13th, while Baseball America has him at 9th.

Peterson has very loud stuff, and that could attract Paul Toboni. At 6’5 205 pounds, Peterson also has a prototypical frame. There is a ton of intrigue here, but Peterson will need to perform in his final season at Florida to maintain his stock. He has yet to have a season with an ERA under 4, and that will have to change this year.

The next guy I want to talk about is Sawyer Strosnider, a toolsy outfielder from TCU. Strosnider is a draft eligible sophomore, so he will be younger than most college prospects, having just turned 21 before draft day. He is a freak athlete, with speed and power for days.

Strosnider is not just pure projection though. In his freshman year at TCU, he hit .350 with 11 homers, 10 steals and a 1.070 OPS in 56 games. That made him one of the most productive freshmen in the nation. His speed, power and production make him a tantalizing prospect.

SAWYER. STROSNIDER.

6 RBIs • 2 home runs pic.twitter.com/zztT4X3woi

— TCU Baseball (@TCU_Baseball) March 23, 2025

He is not a perfect player though. That is why Fangraphs has him ranked at 15th and Baseball America has him at 18th. Pipeline is the highest on Stronsider, ranking him 9th overall. Both Pipeline and BA note Strosnider’s chase happy approach as a question mark. Fangraphs has some swing and miss concerns, but he was making more contact as the season went on.

Strosnider actually started his college career very slowly, going 5/35 with 17 strikeouts. However, he turned things around after that, hitting .389 with a 14% K rate the rest of the way. Strosnider actually plays right field due to TCU having another high profile outfield prospect in Chase Brunson. He has the tools to play center though, and whoever drafts him will try him out there.

This is a player that could intrigue Paul Toboni. Strosnider has massive tools and big time production. If he has another good season, he could be in the Nats range, and potentially be a top 10 pick.

The last player I want to talk about is Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey. Based on the rankings, he seems like a pretty divisive prospect. Fangraphs is very high on him, with Lackey being their number four overall prospect. Baseball America is much lower on him though, putting the catcher 25th in their rankings. Pipeline is in the middle, ranking him 12th.

With the addition of Harry Ford, the Nats are not as desperate for catching in their system, but Lackey could be a player they like. He is universally praised for his defensive ability and athleticism. Lackey is a lock to stick behind the plate and could be a plus defensive catcher.

However, the offense is where the disagreements come from. Lackey advocates like Fangraphs see him as a good contact hitter with the potential to add average power down the road. However, skeptics are not as convinced by the power and are worried his approach is too passive. He also hits the ball on the ground more than you would like due to his flat swing. Lackey has decent raw power, but will he get to it?

The profile for @GTBaseball junior Vahn Lackey continues to grow.

Syncs up well here for the frozen rope at 112 EV. Barrel feel

Most versatile defender on the roster, plus glove behind the plate. Tools litter the 6-foot-2 frame.

Day one pick.@PB_DraftHQ || @DSeifertD1PBR pic.twitter.com/aVIukZb7lS

— Ian Smith (@IanSmittyGA) January 24, 2026

Lackey has only hit 10 home runs in two seasons at Georgia Tech. He also does not have a very long track record. Lackey was not super highly touted coming out of college, and only hit .214 his first year at Georgia Tech. However, he had a huge breakout in 2025, hitting .347 with a .921 OPS.

That makes this season a huge one for Lackey. If he can show his 2025 was not a fluke, he could be an option for the Nats. However, if the power does not come and he takes a slight step back, he will become more of a late first or early second round guy. The defense makes him a high floor prospect, but the bat will determine his ceiling.

This is going to be a very exciting college baseball season. I am going to try to watch as much as I can to monitor these prospects. It is a shame the Nats were not eligible to pick first overall because Roch Cholowsky is the best college shortstop prospect in over a decade. However, there is a ton of talent and depth in this class. I trust Paul Toboni to strike oil here.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/mlb...on-nationals-fans-watch-college-season-starts

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals top pick Eli Willits added needed strength this offseason

FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA - SEPTEMBER 7, 2025: Eli Willits #13 of the Fredericksburg Nationals in action during a Carolina League game against the Carolina Mudcats at Virginia Credit Union Stadium on September 7, 2025 in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The Mudcats beat the Nationals, 6-3. (Photo by Rodger Wood/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

Last July, the Washington Nationals made Eli Willits the youngest first overall pick ever. With more famous prospects like Ethan Holiday and LSU ace Kade Anderson available, it was a bit of a risky pick. However, after a strong pro debut, Willits’ stock is higher than it was on draft day. Despite ranking behind Holiday in draft rankings, he is now ahead of him in prospect rankings.

And by the way, Eli Willits ranks ahead of Ethan Holliday in the shortstop rankings for those who were so bent on July 13 during the MLB Draft. #Nats #NextGenNats https://t.co/wAtKLf79en

— Talk Nats (@TalkNats) January 21, 2026

While Willits was considered a very well-rounded prospect, there was one part of his game that caused some concerns. That was his lack of raw power. It is important to note he was just 17 last year, but his exit velocities were still below average in his pro debut. When you looked at him, he still looked like a kid because well, he was a kid.

Entering this offseason, Willits knew he had to hit the weight room. He will never have James Wood power, but if he can get to average power, Willits has star upside. The rest of his game is so solid. He has elite contact skills and plate discipline as a hitter. In the field, he has smooth actions at shortstop. Willits is also a well above average runner.

Willits acted accordingly, and was in the weight room early and often. All offseason, you would see him posting videos lifting weights. When you saw him on the field, it was clear that Willits had room to add weight. He still looked like a baby out there. His goal this offseason was to add some man strength.

Eli Willits knows what he needs to do to improve. If he puts on some strength, there are no holes in his game pic.twitter.com/Oar4d6BpPO

— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball) October 23, 2025

It is not like Willits is tiny. He is listed at 6’1 and could still be growing. There is room to pack strength onto his frame. Willits’ pro debut showed all of his strengths and weaknesses. He hit .300 and had a great feel for the strike zone. However, basically all of his hits were singles. Out of his 15 hits, only two went for extra bases and none were home runs.

His slugging percentage was only .360, which is not very good. However, his .397 OBP allowed him to post a solid .757 OPS. For a 17 year old in pro ball, that is highly impressive. He adapted to pro ball like a duck to water, starting his career with a 9 game hitting streak. Most high school draftees either struggle or don’t even play in their draft year, but not Willits.

Eli Willits: 9-game hitting streak to begin his pro career

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 Draft (@Nationals) has a .419 AVG with a .500 OBP for the Single-A @FXBGNats at just 17 years old. pic.twitter.com/UdtYGSCvFc

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 31, 2025

However, the physical limitations were still clear. Willits’ 90th percentile exit velocity was the lowest of any top 100 prospect. As the youngest player on the list, that is easy to explain away though. We will still need to see that improve though. As you rise through the minor leagues, defenses get better and Willits will have to hit the ball with more authority to get hits.

I think we will see him hit the ball harder though. Willits looked noticeably bigger and stronger when he arrived to camp a couple days ago. His lower half was so much sturdier and it was clear he put in the work.

eli pic.twitter.com/BncCZtXsA6

— Nationals Player Development (@Nats_PlayerDev) February 11, 2026

The before and after of Willits is pretty crazy. He truly developed from a boy into a man in one offseason. Given his age and bloodlines, this is not overly surprising. Most people get a lot bigger and stronger from that 17 to 18 mark. You start to gain that adult strength.

Willits looking much bigger and stronger after the offseason, especially in the legs https://t.co/OImFWPiM2Y pic.twitter.com/tulGtBJEOx

— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball) February 11, 2026

Another reason why I was confident Willits would add weight is just seeing his family. His brother Jaxon is the star shortstop at the University of Oklahoma, and actually a pretty good draft prospect. Jaxon Willits is listed at a sturdy 6’0 203 pounds. Eli looks like he might be close to 200 pounds after this offseason.

As we know, there are some potential downsides to adding too much muscle. It can come at the expense of your quick twitch athleticism. Hopefully that will not be the case with Eli. I do not think it will because his frame had room to add good weight before this offseason.

Even if he does lose a little bit of twitch, it would be a fine trade off. Willits needs the strength to reach his potential. With his feel for hitting, he will be able to maximize the power he has. It will never be light tower power, but he could hit 15-18 homers one day.

As long as he is able to stick at shortstop, the strength will be a good addition to his game. Even if he does lose half a grade of speed, I am still confident in his ability to field. The best part of his defensive game is his IQ and hands. Willits is so fundamentally sound that he does not need to be a hyper-athlete to be a good defender.

That also applies to the basepaths. He will be able to maximize all the speed he has due to his IQ and his ability to get good jumps. Willits loves trying to take the extra base and is a true grinder. He combines that hard scrabble style with elite talent. That is what made him the first overall pick.

Willits’ baseball IQ allows him to make the most of his tools. However, you can only do so much without power. Willits clearly spent this winter trying to add power. Given how he looks, I think the mission was a success. He is already the 13th ranked prospect in baseball, so it is scary to imagine his ceiling if he starts hitting for power.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...top-pick-eli-willits-added-strength-offseason

 

[Washington Nationals]

Nationals Cade Cavalli Is Working On A New Pitch That Could Change The Game For Him

Cade Cavalli made his long-awaited return to the big league mound in August 2025, and in his 48.2 innings pitched, he flashed brilliance, posting a 95th percentile chase rate, 95th percentile barrel rate, and 93rd percentile groundball rate. Outside of a disastrous outing against the Yankees in August, where he allowed 7 earned runs over 2 1/3 innings, Cavalli was extremely productive in his starts, giving up more than 3 runs just once.

One of the few areas in which Cavalli struggled in his return to action in 2025 was against right-handed hitters, who had his number with a .381 opponents batting average and .990 opponents OPS, much worse in comparison to his .221 opponents batting average and .651 opponents OPS against lefties. He bumped up his curveball and sinker usage and bumped down his fastball and changeup usage against righties, but it wasn’t enough to keep them from hitting at a high clip against them.

The good news is that, entering the 2026 campaign, it appears Cavalli is working on a new pitch that will give him an edge against righties. According to Mark Zuckerman of Nats Journal, Cavalli has spent the offseason working on a sweeper for his arsenal, a pitch similar to a slider, but less sharp and with more verticality. If he can get a feel for it and incorporate the pitch into his pitch arsenal, he may finally have the answer he’s been looking for to getting right-handed hitters out consistently.

Pretty much everybody with the Nationals couldn't wait to go home at the end of the 2025 season. Cade Cavalli wished he could stay. "I felt like I could go pitch more and more. I was kind of just getting going."

On the finally healthy, would-be staff ace:https://t.co/rBuKk5kJ8O

— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) February 12, 2026

The sweeper has been around for many years, with Corey Kluber throwing a version of the pitch in the 2010s, but it gained popularity within the last few years, surging in usage in 2022 and 2023. Today, it’s a weapon in the arsenal of some of the best pitchers in the league, with Garrett Crochet and Paul Skenes ranking near the top in run value with the pitch.

The slider is the more traditional pitch that pitchers use to get same-side hitters out, so why a sweeper for Cavalli? My theory is that a sweeper will tunnel better than a slider with Cavalli’s curveball, his most used pitch against righties at 33%. Pairing a sweeper with his curveball will not only give hitters another pitch to worry about, but it also prevents them from being able to sit on Cavalli’s curveball in any given count.

Pitchers tinker with new pitches all the time, and while they don’t always stick due to lack of feel or command, Cavalli being able to keep the sweeper in his arsenal would be massive in his development as a frontline starter for the Nats. With improved success against righties, as well as more and more experience against big league lineups, I believe Cavalli has what it takes to not only potentially start on Opening Day for the club in 2026, but in years beyond.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...king-on-a-new-pitch-could-change-game-for-him

 

[Washington Nationals]

Could Washington Nationals star James Wood join Team USA for the WBC?

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 27: James Wood #29 of the Washington Nationals takes a swing during a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox at the Nationals Park on September 27, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Any intriguing potential Nats storyline emerged earlier today. It was reported that Corbin Carroll broke his Hamate bone in batting practice and will be missing the WBC. That means Team USA will have to find a replacement. Nationals star left fielder James Wood is reportedly on the shortlist of names according to Jon Morosi.

. @WBCBaseball news:

USA Baseball officials are working through possible injury replacements for Corbin Carroll.

Steven Kwan, Tyler Soderstrom, Riley Greene, Roman Anthony, James Wood, Wyatt Langford and Kyle Stowers are under consideration, per source.@MLBNetworkRadio @MLB

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) February 11, 2026

This is an exciting and potentially impactful development. While Wood is far from a lock to be the man Team USA picks, I think he is one of the top candidates. With Carroll out of the picture, Team USA’s outfielders are now Byron Buxton, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Aaron Judge. Wood would be a nice complement to those three. He brings an element of left handed power that this trio misses.

Clearly, that is what the folks running Team USA are looking for. Wyatt Langford is the only right handed bat in the mix. If Team USA wanted a contact oriented profile, Steven Kwan is the obvious pick, but the other options are power bats. However, none of the other names have quite as much raw power as Wood.

I think Wood has the most upside of anyone in that group. We know what he can do when he gets hot. It would also be a great experience for him as well. He would be able to take in knowledge from some of the game’s best players. Fellow giant outfielder Aaron Judge would be a great person for him to learn from. Judge had strikeout issues when he entered the league, but has fixed those.

When Wood gets a hold of a baseball, it looks like a left handed Aaron Judge at times. The raw power is totally jaw dropping. I remember his home run against the Orioles early in the season so well. It was the one of the first flyballs he pulled all season and he sent it 460 feet and hit the ball about 117 MPH.

#InWBC

pic.twitter.com/jOk7jwuFxF https://t.co/NXw1g9vZMn

— Kev (@klwoodjr) February 11, 2026

While his Home Run Derby appearance did not go according to plan, the fact he got the invite shows he is highly thought of. You have to think people at Team USA may view Wood as a potential successor to Judge for the future. Bringing him to this event would be a great opportunity for him and Team USA.

It is easy to forget just how young James Wood is. He is entering his age 23 season and still has so much ahead of him. In his first full season as a big leaguer, Wood hit 31 homers and posted an .825 OPS. The second half and all the strikeouts left a sour taste, but that is still one heck of a season for a guy who was 22 for most of the year.

James Wood dominated in Year 2, slugging 31 HR on his way to an All-Star season! #BlackHistoryMonth pic.twitter.com/X7WvH2RKIX

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 9, 2026

However, sending Wood to the WBC would not be without some risks. He would obviously be away from the team for a couple weeks. That could be time spent working with the Nats new coaches where he can refine his swing. There is also some injury risk, but that also exists in regular Spring Training games.

I think the reward far outweighs the risk though and it would be a good opportunity for Wood himself. He is not around any veteran stars in DC, so being with some of the best in the game at the WBC would be great for him. Wood is likely to learn a thing or two from the future Hall of Famers he is playing with. The chance to represent your country is always an honor as well.

Given he would be a replacement player, Wood probably won’t start the biggest games. However, he will still get playing time and would be a strong piece. If Team USA needed a big hit late in a game, Wood would be a great pinch hitter for a guy like Pete Crow-Armstrong.

Again, it is far from a guarantee that he will make the team, but James Wood is in the mix for Team USA. The Nats only have two players at the WBC right now, which is fewer than most teams. Hopefully James Wood can add a third Nat to the mix at this great competition.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/nat...tionals-star-james-wood-join-team-usa-for-wbc