RSS Nationals Team Notes

[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

 

[Washington Nationals]

Can reliever Cionel Perez bounce back with the Washington Nationals?

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 20: Cionel Pérez #58 of the Baltimore Orioles throws a pitch during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 20, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Nationals finally made a free agent signing to their bullpen, bringing in Cionel Perez on a minor league deal. This is different from the other minor league deals they have signed, as Perez has a good chance of making the team. Before a disastrous 2025, Perez was a mainstay in the Orioles bullpen.

Sources: The Washington Nationals are in agreement to sign left-hander pitcher Cionel Pérez to a Minor League contract, including an invitation to MLB Spring Training.

Perez, 29, has a strong chance of making the Opening Day roster.

— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) February 14, 2026

If Perez makes the team, he will make $1.9 million plus another $700,000 in potential incentives. As long as he does not look terrible this spring, Perez should make the team. From 2022-2024, Perez made at least 60 appearances in the O’s bullpen. He posted a combined 3.12 ERA in those three seasons.

So what made Perez such an effective reliever over those seasons and why did he fall off a cliff in 2025? Well, Perez is elite at generating ground balls with his heavy sinker. For his career, Perez has posted a 55.5% GB rate. Even in his horrible 2025 season, he still was great at keeping the ball on the ground, with a 58.2% GB rate.

However, Perez is not a big strikeout guy and has had control issues throughout his career. That makes him reliant on his defense and batted ball luck. Last season, he was a victim of terrible batted ball luck, with a .379 BABIP. This bad luck, combined with a 16.4% walk rate was why Perez posted an 8.31 ERA in 19 outings.

Despite some of these awful numbers, statcast was still bullish on him. Last season, his xERA was a respectable 3.93 despite his awful surface level numbers. His actual batting average against was .322 but his xBA was .213. I am not sure I have ever seen a gap that wide.

These discrepancies make him an interesting bounce back candidate for the Nats. If Perez can get his walk rate closer to 10% and he has better batted ball luck, Cionel Perez can be a solid piece in the bullpen. In a bullpen from January, he was already sitting 95-96, which is nice to see this early in the offseason.

Several teams have shown interest in left-handed reliever Cionel Pérez.

The former Oriole is training in Tampa as he does every offseason, and he looks noticeably sharp, sitting at 95–96 mph with his fastball. pic.twitter.com/Romiuuf5UK

— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) January 10, 2026

His velocity has gone from 97 in 2022 to 95.6 last year, so hopefully he can recapture some of that old velo. There are a lot of if’s here, but Perez has the ceiling of a dependable middle reliever. On this team, that probably means looks at the back end of the bullpen.

Honestly, Perez does a lot of the same stuff that the traded Jose A. Ferrer did. Both are left handers who throw very hard but are ground ball oriented pitchers rather than strikeout guys. The biggest difference though is that Ferrer has much better control.

Another thing I am interested about here is if they will make any tweaks with Perez. Last season, he threw a sinker, a new slider, a slurve and a 4-seam. Despite being added before the worst year of his career, Perez’s new slider was actually very effective. It was a nice complement to his slurve, which had been his primary secondary pitch for years.

Cionel Pérez, Dirty Curveballs…and is fired up. pic.twitter.com/4yLxDEaRF6

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 2, 2024

Going back to Ferrer, he featured a really nice changeup. I wonder if the Nats will want to give Perez a changeup. Perez has been much more effective against lefties in his career. Lefties have hit just .211 against Perez, while righties have hit .270. A changeup could be a good weapon for him to have against right handed hitters.

Some pitchers just never have great feel for changeups, so that could be hard. However, the invention of the kick changeup has been helpful for those pitchers. The kick change does not require pronation like other changeups. It is the grip that is doing the work. Maybe that could be something Perez could learn.

Overall, this is a low risk, medium reward move. If Perez can’t hit the broadside of a barn in Spring Training, he just won’t make the team. However, if he looks like the guy he was before last season, he will be a reliable piece in the Nats bullpen.

Still only 29, Perez combines experience with at least some youth. He also could be a trade candidate if he performs well in the first half. This is an interesting flier that could work.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...l-perez-bounce-back-with-washington-nationals

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals sign long time Mets reliever Drew Smith

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JUNE 19: Drew Smith #33 of the New York Mets pitches during the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on June 19, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After signing Cionel Perez a couple days ago, the Nats picked up another veteran reliever on an incentive-laden minor league deal. This time Paul Toboni and the Nats picked up Drew Smith, who was a mainstay in the Mets bullpen for a few years. From 2021 to 2024, Smith featured prominently in the Mets bullpen, but missed last season recovering from Tommy John.

Former Met reliever Drew Smith stays in the NL East agreeing to a minor league deal with the Nats. $1.75M if he makes the team, with $1.25M in performance bonuses, according to sources

— Michelle Margaux (@mmargaux8) February 16, 2026

However, he should be ready to go right away. The surgery was back in July of 2024, so plenty of time has passed. This is Smith’s second Tommy John, so it is not a given that he looks like his old self. If he does bounce back, the $1.75 million price tag if he makes the team could be a steal.

Back when he was on the Mets, Smith was known for his swing and miss stuff. His fastball sat around 95 MPH and he had a strong feel for spin. Smith throws a cutter, a slider, a curveball and an occasional changeup to go with his lively heater. He can be susceptible to hard contact, but he makes up for it by getting swing and miss.

Nats sign reliever Drew Smith pic.twitter.com/qn38X4MUze

— Kev (@klwoodjr) February 16, 2026

Earlier this offseason, I actually brought up Smith as a potential under the radar target. His career 3.48 ERA and his ability to generate whiffs stuck out to me. It seems like Toboni was also impressed by those skills.

Spring Training will be huge for Smith though. He will need to prove that his stuff is still good after a second major surgery. There are examples of pitchers who have succeeded after a second Tommy John, but there are also plenty of guys who struggle to bounce back from that second surgery. Hopefully Smith can be part of the former group.

Importantly, he will be ready to go immediately. There was some optimism that he could return at the end of the Mets season, but he just could not quite make it. Given how far removed he is from the surgery, this offseason was probably relatively normal for Smith.

It's still far too early to know with any certainty, but Mets reliever Drew Smith (recovery from Tommy John surgery) has some optimism that he'll be able to return in late September or October. He's on track to begin throwing bullpen sessions next month — a good sign.

— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) May 26, 2025

Due to his injury status, Smith is less likely to break camp with the team than Cionel Perez. However, he might have more upside to his ability to generate whiffs. This is another worthwhile dart throw from Toboni. If Smith does not look like the same pitcher, he can just be a depth arm in Rochester. However, if the stuff does return, he could be an important veteran in the Nats bullpen.

At 32 years old, Smith should have gas in the tank if he is fully recovered from the injury. He also provides some experience and veteran leadership to a Nats bullpen that does not have much of that.

If Smith can pitch to a 3.48 ERA, which is his career mark, this would be a great pickup. There is also no risk because this is a minor league deal. I like these small bullpen moves Toboni has made in the last few days.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...ngton-nationals-sign-mets-reliever-drew-smith

 

[Washington Nationals]

Julian Fernández Could Be A Sneaky Bullpen Weapon For the Washington Nationals

If this article is your first time hearing of Julian Fernández, I can’t blame you. The 30-year-old right-handed reliever was acquired in August off waivers from the Dodgers, and in 12.2 innings pitched with the Rochester Red Wings, he posted a 7.82 ERA and 5.47 FIP. He made his Nationals debut at the end of September in 2025, posting a 3.00 ERA and 5.80 FIP in 3 outings.

On the surface, Fernández’s Triple-A and major league numbers don’t suggest he is due for a major breakout in 2026. And yet, Fangraphs projects Fernández not only to be better in 2026, but to be one of the better rookie relievers in all of baseball, with Steamer projecting him to post a 3.72 ERA and 16 K-BB% in 59 innings.

Some other projection metrics, such as ZiPS and THE BAT, aren’t quite as high on Fernández, projecting him for an ERA in the low 4s, but the sentiment remains: Julian Fernández will be better in 2026 than his past performance dictates.

So what exactly does Fernández do so well that has the projection systems so high on him? It starts with the swing and miss stuff, as he struck out over 11 batters per 9 innings in 54 innings at Triple A in 2025. Fernández has a very intriguing pitch arsenal, throwing only 2 pitches: a fastball about 60% of the time and a changeup about 40% of the time.

The fastball is loud, sitting 97 MPH with the pitch in 2025, but gets hit around quite a bit, with a 46% hard hit rate in Triple A. The changeup, on the other hand, is lethal, with a 43% whiff rate and .162 opponents’ expected batting average on the pitch in Triple A.

Fernández also does an excellent job of limiting free passes, with a 77th percentile walk rate in Triple-A in 2025. Not many pitchers are able to combine strikeout stuff with strike-throwing ability like Fernández, and that’s why he ranked 10th in K-BB% among all Triple-A pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched.

The key culprit to Fernández’s struggles in 2025 was his unbelievably high home run numbers. In his 54 Triple-A innings in 2025, Fernández had a home run to fly ball ratio of 14.5%, including an unreal 30.8% HR/FB ratio as a National.

For reference, the average HR/FB is generally around 10.5% league wide, far below where Fernández was last season. While some of that was his tendency to give up loud contact, with a 23rd percentile barrel rate in 2025, he’s bound to see some positive regression in the home run department in 2026, which will lead to better results overall.

If I were Simon Mathews, the Nationals’ new pitching coach for 2026, my main focus for developing Julian Fernández into a plus big league reliever would be to start throwing his nasty changeup much more often, as well as looking to add a third pitch to his arsenal to keep hitters guessing.

He’s shown that he can miss bats with his stuff at Triple-A, and the addition of a new pitch, such as a sinker (which he did tinker with at the end of 2025, throwing it just 0.3% of the time overall) to help induce more groundballs could help him take him from an “if” to a sure thing in a currently shaky Nationals bullpen.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...y-bullpen-weapon-for-the-washington-nationals

 

[Washington Nationals]

James Wood has a point to prove entering the 2026 season

JUPITER, FL - FEBRUARY 12: James Wood #29 of the Washington Nationals throws the ball during Spring Training workout day at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on Thursday, February 12, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Lucas Casel/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

If you have followed the Nats at all over the past couple years, you would know that James Wood is not the most emotional guy. He is not one of those players that wear their heart on their sleeves. Wood is what you would call a slow heartbeat guy. However, Wood wants to make it clear that he still has a fire that burns bright inside of him.

We are only a couple days into the spring, but it is obvious that is the message he wants to convey. After a breathtaking first half and a disappointing second half, Wood is far from satisfied. The Baltimore Banner just started Nats coverage after the collapse of the Washington Post, and their first story was about Wood’s internal fire.

Don’t let James Wood’s demeanor fool you. There’s a fire burning inside the Nationals star.

“He’s not close to being done in terms of achieving his ceiling."

From Nationals camp in West Palm Beach:https://t.co/eV08hYR9AT

— Andy Kostka (@afkostka) February 16, 2026

I love that Wood wants to make it known that he is a true competitor. There are times when you watch him play where he can look lackadaisical and lower energy. However, that is just his style of play rather than a lack of competitiveness. He is going to have to turn up the dial sometimes, and I think he understands that. You are never going to see the chest pumping intensity from Wood that you saw from guys like Bryce Harper and Max Scherzer.

Despite that, Wood is making it clear that he wants it just as bad as those guys. I was on a zoom call with him yesterday, and you can tell he wants to bounce back from that rough second half. Wood still has that casual, nonchalant demeanor, but he feels more present as well. The zoom call was with Wood and manager Blake Butera. Wood being the only player on the call tells me he wants to be heard, which is encouraging.

He got asked plenty of interesting questions including one about his offseason plan. Wood emphasized that he wanted his offseason to be a bit more organized this year after wearing down in the second half.

I got the chance to ask Wood a question about his approach at the plate and whether he wants to pull the ball in the air more. He gave me an interesting answer where he talked about how he is more comfortable letting the ball travel and taking that extra beat to make decisions. While Wood said he might make pulling the ball a bigger part of his game at some point, he has enough power to hit the ball out to any part of the park.

James Wood gave me an interesting and insightful answer about his hitting approach and whether he aims to pull the ball in the air more. My question starts at around 13:35 and his answer begins at around 13:50 https://t.co/jRWaycsjIz

— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball) February 16, 2026

Despite wanting to be seen as more of a competitor, Wood is not going to totally change who he is as a person. He is still just a 23 year old with crazy athletic gifts and a side of dry humor. Wood told us he has confused coaches for players a couple times already this spring.

On the field, the biggest key for Wood is keeping that strikeout rate under control. Due to his long levers and big strike zone, Wood will always strike out a decent amount, and that is okay. It is all about keeping that number in check though. In April, May and June, his K rate was consistently between 26 and 27%. That should be where he lives.

Wood was also walking around 14% of the time in the first half, which helped offset some of the strikeouts. Another thing that makes up for the whiffs is just how hard he hits the ball. Due to his 98th percentile hard hit rate, Wood’s batting average on balls in play will always be high. That is why he still hit a respectable .256 despite a 32.1% strikeout rate.

In his prime, I actually believe Wood has a chance to be a .300 hitter. It is similar to players like Judge and Ohtani. Both of them whiff a good amount, but hit the ball so hard their batting averages are high. Wood has that kind of horse power if he can put it all together.

We are already seeing some clips of Wood showing his power early this spring. He absolutely torched a ball off of Cole Henry yesterday. The ball just comes off his bat a little differently compared to most guys in the league. I got a reminder of that when I saw that video yesterday.

James Wood tagged Cole Henry in Live BP for what would surely be extra bases. pic.twitter.com/tS6pG1kMHC

— Ryan Shenker (@RyanShenker) February 16, 2026

As disappointing as his second half was, we cannot forget about the ceiling Wood has. He is still only 23 years old and has so much room for growth. A lot of these bigger players take a bit longer to establish themselves, but Wood was already an All-Star at 22. By contrast, Aaron Judge did not truly break out until he was 25 years old. Wood still has so much time ahead of him.

There is a lot of doom and gloom in Nats land, and it is understandable. However, Wood has a chance to be a true star player. The goal for Wood in 2026 is to prove he is a player worth building around. If he can do that, it will be on Paul Toboni and Mark Lerner to build a contender around their super sized star.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...mes-wood-has-point-prove-entering-2026-season

 

[Washington Nationals]

If you could sign one Washington National to an extension, who would it be?

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 26: Daylen Lile #51 of the Washington Nationals tosses his bat after hitting a home run against the Chicago White Sox at Nationals Park on September 26, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images

This time of year, there are always a few young players across the league that get contract extensions. Teams try to buy out a few free agent years at what they think will be cheaper costs, while players get long term security. Bobby Witt Jr., Jackson Merrill, Kristian Campbell and Keibert Ruiz are all young players who have signed lucrative extensions right before a season over the last few years.

From that list, you can see this is a high risk, high reward approach. If you sign the right player, you will be getting these guys on huge bargains for most of their primes. However, extending the wrong guy could be an anchor on the franchise. Not only financially, but also from an opportunity cost standpoint.

Paul Toboni comes from a Red Sox organization that has extended several young players in the last few years. Garrett Crochet, Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell, Ceddanne Rafaela, Garrett Whitlock and Brayan Bello have all signed extensions in Boston, with most taking place before those guys hit arbitrations. Could Toboni replicate this process with the Nats, and if he does, who should he extend?

In my opinion, Daylen Lile is the best and most obvious extension candidate on the roster. Unlike a few of the Nats other young players, he is not represented by Scott Boras, so that makes talks easier. He is not projected to hit free agency until 2032, which also means an extension will not be that pricey. As players accrue more service time, the price of their extension goes up.

Lile showed a phenomenal feel to hit in his first taste of MLB action in 2025. He hit .299 with an .845 OPS. The speedy outfielder also compiled an insane 11 triples in just 91 games. His speed and gap to gap power make him a constant threat for triples. He hit a ton in the minor leagues as well, so this is no fluke.

Daylen Lile is going to shock a lot of people this year! In 2025:

351 PA
.299 / 9 HR / 41 RBI / 8 SB

.302 xBA
.199 ISO
.348 xwOBA
16 K%

Power/speed potential going at ~200 ADP.
pic.twitter.com/HSEnkuO82t

— Andrew DeCeglie (@Andrew_FBB) February 11, 2026

I also think Lile has room to grow, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Right now, he is not a good defensive outfielder. However, I think he has the athletic ability to be at least an average defender in a corner. His reads need sharpening, but he has been making a point of improving that. Lile’s reads could also improve when it comes to stealing bases. Despite 92nd percentile sprint speed, he was inefficient as a base stealer.

Lile’s combination of current production and upside make him the guy Toboni should approach. He is already a good player, but he has clear areas of improvement. Lile also has the athleticism to improve in those areas, which makes development possible.

Honestly, the Nats should try offering him an 8-year $65 million contract with a couple team options attached as well. It is a bit more than the 8-years $50 million that Keibert Ruiz got, but Lile has produced more than Ruiz ever has.

He is not the only guy the Nats should approach though. Dylan Crews and James Wood are Boras clients, which complicates things, but it is still worth asking. That is especially true in the case of Wood, who has shown super star upside when he is at his best.

ICYMI, Harry Ford made the switch from Boras to RocNation as his agents. With Gore gone, the Nats have James Wood and Dylan Crews as Boras guys. By our calculations, that's the lowest number since 2010 on the projected Opening Day roster. https://t.co/6rTcyDtGdG

— Talk Nats (@TalkNats) January 31, 2026

Given how Wood has performed at his best and his agent, this extension will be pricey. If Scott Boras were even willing to listen, he would probably use the Julio Rodriguez contract as a point of comparison. That is a 12-year $209 million deal, but it has incentives that could take it up to $470 million. Boras would want more guaranteed money, but there would not be as much incentive based money.

A Wood extension is not very likely, but you never know. He is a local kid whose family has a lot of roots in DC. However, I do not see that happening unless the Nats absolutely blow him away. Given how they have been spending lately, I find that hard to envision.

One player who I certainly do not see the Nats extending is CJ Abrams. Despite not being a Boras client, it really seems like the extension window has closed with Abrams. He is much more likely to be traded in the next year than extended, at least in my opinion.

It is not just my opinion though. Those around the game see an Abrams trade as a matter of when not if. There was an Athletic article about potential Spring Training trade candidates, and Abrams was at the top of the list.

Will there be a good old-fashioned blockbuster deal this spring?

Never say never.

Our panel weighs in on the MLB players who could get traded, with Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams leading the pack.https://t.co/edo1yNGln2 pic.twitter.com/1jMv9nQdTu

— The Athletic MLB (@TheAthleticMLB) February 16, 2026

I do not think Abrams will be traded before the season, but a deadline deal seems like a real possibility. The piece on Abrams was actually quite interesting. They talked about how those Giants rumors had legs, even if the move did not come to be. It was also mentioned that the Nats goal right now is making the best farm system in baseball, and that they will do whatever it takes to achieve that goal.

Abrams only has three years of team control remaining and is on the trade block. Combine that with some of the maturity questions, I do not see an extension coming. If it does happen, I would be pleasantly surprised because I still think Abrams can be a long term piece for this group.

Now I am going to flip the question to you guys. Who would you want to extend and are there any guys you would stay away from? An extension this spring would be a good PR move from the Nats as well. With all the losing, there is apathy setting in. There is also a sense that ownership is checked out. An extension would not quell all of those concerns, but it would be a positive step. For me, I would be on the phone with Daylen Lile’s agent non-stop.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...ne-washington-national-extension-who-would-be

 

[Washington Nationals]

Why are Washington Nationals pitchers wearing a black band on their elbow?

JUPITER, FL - FEBRUARY 12: Josiah Gray #40 of the Washington Nationals pitches in the bullpen during Spring Training workout day at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on Thursday, February 12, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Lucas Casel/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The first piece of Nationals related content I saw was DJ Herz doing some throwing. This is great because it shows he is making progress in his Tommy John recovery. However, what interested me was the black band on his left elbow. Herz is not the only pitcher to be wearing one of these bands. In fact, it has been common this spring.

DJ Herz (recovering from Tommy John) has the black elbow band on, and is getting some work in this morning. pic.twitter.com/1llbUYS5G1

— Ryan Shenker (@RyanShenker) February 18, 2026

I wanted to learn more about this device and see why so many Nats pitchers are using this thing. What I found was very interesting. The device is a Pulse workload monitor made by Driveline. It costs $320 and is designed to help pitchers know their limits. Pulse measures arm speed and workload metrics. If a pitcher’s arm speed drops unexpectedly, you now know when to take a break.

This is a really cool device and is in line with the Nats new vision. We wrote about the Nats Driveline connection earlier this month, and this is just another example of that. While the Nats want to add stuff to their pitchers, they are also going to be aware of the potential injury risk that comes with that.

Seen this a lot in pictures this spring with Nats pitchers. They are driveline pulse sensors and they measure workload on the arms. More much needed tech added for the Nats! https://t.co/Eyoftg38J3

— Nationals Source (@NationalsSource) February 18, 2026

Based on my research, I think the implementation of this device is being driven by Pitching Coach Simon Mathews. Driveline mentions that the Reds were early adopters of this device. Kyle Boddy, the founder of Driveline actually worked for the Reds for a bit. There is an article from 2021 describing how the Reds had been implementing the Pulse device.

Mathews actually joined the Reds organization in 2021, and was involved in their rehab work for pitchers. That means he is very aware of this device and is likely a big proponent of it. It is no coincidence that it is all over Nats camp now. With that rehab background, Mathews is putting an emphasis on arm health.

However, this device is not just for pitchers with injuries. Healthy Nats arms have also been using it to track their workload. On one of the first days of camp, the Nats posted a photo of Brad Lord throwing, and he had the Pulse band on. It is easier to find a Nats pitcher wearing one than it is to see them without it.

baseball things are happening pic.twitter.com/PudV98hLsf

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) February 14, 2026

This is such a cool contraption and it is one of many pieces of new technology the Nats have. Pulse obviously helps you catch potential injuries, but it can also help you optimize throwing plans. It allows you to know how far you can push a player while not risking injury or overuse. Optimizing performance is so important for pitchers, and this is a great tool for that.

It is not just the big leaguers using these things though. I saw a video of Nats third round pick Landon Harmon throwing a bullpen, and the 19 year old had a Pulse band on his right elbow. Honestly, this tool might be even more important for young pitchers who do not totally understand their limits yet.

#Nationals 2025 3rd round pick Landon Harmon, 19, is throwing absolute gas for strikes this morning. pic.twitter.com/5o0mDWJIUh

— Ryan Shenker (@RyanShenker) February 17, 2026

That is not to say it can’t help veterans. There is a cool video from a couple years ago of Reds pitcher Nick Martinez talking about how much the Pulse band has helped him. For so long, the Nats were not taking part in these kinds of innovative practices. Now, with Paul Toboni at the wheel, the Nats are all in on innovating.

Honestly, keeping pitchers healthy might be the next great frontier for baseball minds. We know so much about how to optimize stuff, but it comes at the cost of pitchers’ elbows. If we can find a way to keep guys healthy while throwing nasty stuff, you can get an edge over the competition. The Pulse monitors are only the first step in that process, but it is cool that the Nats are trying this out.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...ationals-pitchers-wearing-black-band-on-elbow

 

[Washington Nationals]

Fangraphs ranks three Washington Nationals prospects inside their top 100

JUPITER, FL - FEBRUARY 12: Harry Ford #17 of the Washington Nationals is seen in the bullpen during Spring Training workout day at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on Thursday, February 12, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Lucas Casel/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Yesterday, Fangraphs released their top 100 prospect rankings. It is always interesting to see their rankings because they are not afraid to go against the grain. Eric Longenhagen always does a great job over there. At least when it came to Nats prospects, there were not any massive surprises. Eli Willits was ranked as the 15th prospect, Jarlin Susana was 29th, Harry Ford was 74th and Travis Sykora was one of the next 10 at 109th.

2026 Top 100 Prospects https://t.co/SRSf58uzM0

— FanGraphs Baseball (@fangraphs) February 16, 2026

I wanted to dive into his rankings and talk a bit about his writeups as well. Before I get started though, I wanted to mention that Longenhagen’s praise of number one prospect Konnor Griffin was unlike anything I have ever seen from him before. He said that Paul Skenes could be the Pirates second best player before too long and Griffin could leave a legacy like Mean Joe Greene in Pittsburgh if he sticks around. High praise from a publication that is usually on the conservative side when ranking prospects.

Back to the Nats, Eli Willits was unsurprisingly the team’s top prospect according to Fangraphs. He was the number one overall pick in the 2025 draft and had a very impressive pro debut as a 17 year old.

the moment @EliWillits became the youngest #1 pick in MLB history pic.twitter.com/gKwJbhUQZi

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 13, 2025

Longenhagen gave Willits 60 grades for his hit tool, his defense and his running. That is a very strong foundation to build on. Despite Willits not hitting for power in his pro debut, Fangraphs still projects him to have fringe average power. Longenhagen said it is easy to project that Willits will add strength to his frame. Based on the photos we have seen this spring, it looks like he has already done that.

However, Longenhagen also does not want Willits to get too big because his fluidity is a big part of his game. Interestingly, he said that Willits’ swing reminds him of Colt Emerson’s coming out of the draft. Now, Emerson is Fangraphs 11th ranked prospect and is the shortstop of the future for the Mariners. Willits is the highest ranked player from the 2025 class, and 32 spots ahead of Ethan Holliday.

Fangraphs and Longenhagen have been high on Jarlin Susana for years now. With that in mind, it is not surprising to see him rank 29th on their list. Logenhagen just can’t quit Susana’s off the charts stuff. Even with control questions and an injury that will keep him out until midseason, Susana is still in the top 30.

He has always gushed about Susana’s slider. In this write-up, he called it one of the nastiest pitches on the planet. Longenhagen compared it to Brad Lidge’s slider, only Susana’s is harder. He gave the pitch an 80 grade. Here is a look at that slider in action against a stacked Double-A Erie lineup.

13 STRIKEOUTS for Jarlin Susana in just 5.0 innings of work (2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB) pic.twitter.com/VH3viG25Xj

— Nationals Player Development (@Nats_PlayerDev) August 20, 2025

While Fangraphs views the slider as Susana’s best pitch, let’s not forget that this guy sits at 100 MPH. He can even touch 104 MPH on the heater. Before Susana got hurt last year, the command was showing signs of improvement. If that is even average, Susana can be an ace.

As long as he is healthy, the worst case for Susana seems to be him becoming a lights out bullpen arm. The fastball-slider combination is reminiscent of Mason Miller. I would love for Susana to be a starter, but a dominant closer is not a bad contingency plan.

Harry Ford is the only prospect the Nats acquired this offseason in Fangraphs top 100, and he ranks 75th. The Nats picked him up from the Mariners in exchange for Jose A. Ferrer. Ford has been known for a long time, but was blocked in Seattle due to Cal Raleigh.

harry ford season 1 teaser trailer pic.twitter.com/hYx4m3zhJv

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) February 13, 2026

Longenhagen gave all five of Ford’s tools an average grade. However, he noted that Ford’s excellent plate discipline could allow his average power and hitting ability to play up. Some scouts are low on Ford’s defense, but Fangraphs projects it to become average.

They noted that Ford has slowly but steadily improved his defensive game over the years. His framing went from bad to mediocre. He has also gotten better controlling the running game over the years. Ford’s athletic ability has always made him very good at things like popping out of his stance for dribblers and other quick reaction plays. He also totally eliminated his passed ball problem.

Overall, Fangraphs views Ford as a solid prospect, but not an elite one. They think he is a very smart pickup for the Nats and has a good shot of being a quality starting catcher. However, the lack of a clear above average tool does worry them a bit.

While Travis Sykora is not in the top 100, Fangraphs did rank an additional 10 prospects and had him at 109th. If not for the Tommy John Surgery that will cost him this season, Sykora would have likely been a top 50 prospect. He is already on the road to recovery though and has started doing some light throwing this spring.

Looks like Washington Nationals Pitching prospect Travis Sykora is working his way back from TJ and he is at long tossing! @RyanShenker | @TheFutureNats pic.twitter.com/12tDBAThmj

— TheNatsReport (@TheNatsReport) February 17, 2026

Longenhagen’s assessment of Sykora was pretty glowing. He mentioned that Sykora’s velocity was up from 2024 to 2025. That was probably due to him feeling better after his hip surgery in the 2024 offseason. He was averaging 96 MPH on his heater and could run it up to triple digits.

Fangraphs sees Sykora as a complete pitcher, not just a flamethrower. They project his slider and splitter to be plus pitches. Also, they gave his command an above average projection. Sykora’s funky release traits, feel for pitching and raw power just overwhelmed lower level hitters.

Longenhagen also described Sykora as an articulate kid who wants to know the ‘why’ not just the what. That mental game could help Sykora reach that top of the rotation upside once he gets back on the mound.

Based on the writeup, Sykora seems like a prospect you can fast-track once he gets back from injury, assuming the health checks out. He already has a coherent arsenal, top tier velocity and a feel for pitching. At the end, he noted this injury could be a blessing in disguise for the Nats because Sykora’s service time window will now line up perfectly with the Nats new contention window.

Gavin Fien did not make the list, which was not overly surprising to me. Longenhagen really values swing mechanics, and Fien does not have the cleanest looking swing. However, if Fien performs to start the year, he will force his way on to the list.

The Nats are a farm system on the rise, and I think Fangraphs is starting to realize that. Right now the Nats may only have three players in the top 100. However, I think there could be double the number next year.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...washington-nationals-prospects-inside-top-100

 

[Washington Nationals]

Landon Harmon is one of several breakout candidates in the Washington Nationals farm system

In 2026, the Nats are not likely to make a ton of progress at the MLB level, at least when it comes to wins and losses. However, we should see Paul Toboni’s new plan lead to quick results at the minor league level. The Nats have several breakout candidates in their system. One of them is 19 year old RHP Landon Harmon, and I wanted to chat about him today.

Harmon was selected in the third round of the 2025 draft, but was given a $2.5 million signing bonus. That is way above slot value, and shows the Nats valued Harmon like an early second round talent. The industry also viewed him that way, with MLB Pipeline ranking Harmon as number 48 prospect in his class.

After getting drafted last year, Harmon did not appear in any professional games, which is very common for high school pitchers. That means this will truly be his first pro season. Heading into this year, he has a lot of buzz behind his name. Fangraphs mentioned him as a guy who could be a top 100 prospect a year from now. MLB Pipeline also ranked him in the top 10 of the Nats system.

Picks to Click: Who We Expect to Make the 2027 Top 100 https://t.co/NAkmngu426

— FanGraphs Baseball (@fangraphs) February 19, 2026

Now that we know the level of hype he has, let’s dive into what makes the Mississippi high school righty such an intriguing arm. His bread and butter is his fastball, which consistently gets plus grades. Pipeline has it as a 65 grade pitch and BA put a 70 on his heater. That makes it easily a plus pitch, with plus-plus upside.

The heater has everything you want. Harmon throws very hard, sitting in the mid-90’s. However, he can run that heater up to 98 or 99 MPH when he wants to reach back. When you look at his slender 6’5 frame, there is also more velocity to dream on. He could be a pitcher who touches triple digits one day.

However, it is more than just the velocity that makes Harmon’s fastball great. The pitch also has explosive life and comes from a flat approach angle. This makes his heater look even quicker than it is. It also has a bit of cutting action at the end as a little cherry on top. He was able to blow the fastball by even good high school hitters like Ethan Holliday at showcase events.

Possibly the best pick of the 3rd round in the 2025 MLB draft, the Nationals signing RHP Landon Harmon.

65-grade Fastball
55-grade Slider

Changeup could use some improvement, but at 6-ft-5, the 19-y/o's ceiling is incredibly high.

Here's him vs. the No. 4 pick Ethan Holliday… pic.twitter.com/pF9EvlwAzC

— Tobey Schulman (@tschulmanreport) December 25, 2025

The heater gives him a strong foundation to build on, but there are also some interesting breaking ball shapes here. He throws both a sweeper and a harder slider. Neither are outstanding right now, but they both have above average potential. The fact he already has the ability to spin multiple different breaking ball shapes is also a positive indicator. It indicates a feel for spin and an ability to experiment.

The changeup is admittedly a work in progress right now. He did not need to use it much as a high schooler because he could overwhelm hitters with his fastball and sliders. When he did throw it, the pitch was not anything special. However, at 19 years old, Harmon has plenty of time to find an off-speed pitch.

You can teach that, but you cannot teach Harmon’s size and fastball quality. Those building blocks make him a strong candidate to be a top 100 prospect in a year. They have some differences, but Harmon reminds me of Travis Sykora after he got drafted. Both have outstanding stuff and a better feel for pitching than most kids their age.

Sykora obviously had a massive year in 2024, becoming a top 100 prospect. He was on his way to being one of the premier pitching prospects in the game before having to go under the knife in 2025. Harmon could be on a similar trajectory given his talent level.

There is already footage of Harmon at Spring Training throwing a bullpen. I do think it is a bit notable that we have seen him, but not guys like Miguel Sime or Coy James yet. It may mean the Nats are more comfortable letting Harmon be seen by the public due to feeling he is more advanced.

#Nationals 2025 3rd round pick Landon Harmon, 19, is throwing absolute gas for strikes this morning. pic.twitter.com/5o0mDWJIUh

— Ryan Shenker (@RyanShenker) February 17, 2026

Another indicator to see what the Nats think of Harmon is how they assign him. If they send him straight to Low-A, that means they have a high level of confidence in him to produce right away. If they think he is a bit raw, they will have him make starts in the FCL.

Harmon should spend most of the season in Low-A, but he might get a taste of High-A if he dominates with the Fred Nats. I think that is in the cards due to the quality of his stuff. He is also a guy who should be helped by the Nats new development team. Harmon is a big ball of clay for those pitching gurus to work with. Hopefully, they can turn him into a high end prospect.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...andidates-in-washington-nationals-farm-system

 

[Washington Nationals]

Which Washington Nationals waiver claim will make the biggest impact this season?

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 29: Chicago White Sox pitcher Gus Varland (37) pitches in the seventh inning during the Detroit Tigers versus the Chicago White Sox game on Wednesday September 29, 2024 at Comerica Park in Detroit, MI. (Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Towards the end of the offseason, Paul Toboni went on a spree of waiver claims. In particular, he added quite a few bullpen arms to the mix. With the number of guys he got, odds are that at least one of them hits and makes an impact for the team. I took a look at my three favorite claims he made.

My favorite pitcher Toboni acquired from this process is Andre Granillo. While he technically was not a waiver claim, he came to the Nats as part of the waiver process. The Nats claimed pitcher George Soriano from the Braves on January 30th, then quickly DFA’d him on February 5th.

However, the Cardinals wanted to cut the waiver line to get Soriano. To do that, they just traded reliever Andre Granillo to the Nats in exchange for Soriano. Honestly, I do not really get this move from the Cardinals perspective because I think Granillo is the much better pitcher. In his first taste of MLB action last year, Granillo posted a 4.74 ERA, much better than Soriano’s 8.35 ERA. Granillo is also the younger pitcher.

In addition to mostly holding his own at the MLB level, Granillo was dominant in AAA. He posted a 1.29 ERA in 42 innings at the Triple-A level. Granillo’s bread and butter is a wipeout slider he throws well over half the time. At the MLB level, Granillo threw the slider 65% of the time. Despite the heavy usage, the pitch was still effective and got whiffs almost 35% of the time in the MLB.

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

— Kev (@klwoodjr) February 10, 2026

While Granillo’s fastball sits at about 95 MPH, the quality of the pitch is not great, so he has to rely on that slider. However, that slider is good enough to make him a solid middle reliever. Granillo also showed an occasional changeup to lefties which had some promise. If that can become a real weapon, there could be higher leverage upside for the 25 year old.

I just think Granillo has everything you want in a waiver claim reliever. He dominated in the minors, is still young, has intriguing stuff, has minor league options and held his own at the MLB level. At worst, Granillo will be a solid up and down relief arm. However, I think he is fully capable of grabbing a full time spot in the bullpen.

Another pitcher who has the talent to grab a full time bullpen spot is Gus Varland. He looked like he was on his way to doing that with the White Sox back in 2024. That season, he posted a 3.42 ERA in 26.1 innings with 27 strikeouts. However, Varland’s 2025 was ravaged by injuries.

He did not appear in the MLB and only made 8 appearances in the minors. If he can get back to what he was in 2024, that is a big league reliever though. Unlike Granillo, Varland’s bread and butter is the fastball. He sits 95-96 MPH and the pitch has great shape. It has explosive life at the top of the zone at its best.

Gus Varland – first appearance on the mound. First strikeout. #ThisIsMyCrew | @GusBusVarland pic.twitter.com/z8j7KoPoXK

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) March 30, 2023

Varland’s heater gets both run and ride. It has 18 inches of ride and 11 inches of run. Both of those numbers are above average. That life is why he was able to throw his heater 55.6% of the time and still get quality results. To go with the heater, Varland has a hard slider that is a bit inconsistent. It can be good at times, but is also susceptible to damage.

Like Granillo, Varland has experimented with a changeup, and making that a consistent third pitch would be helpful. I just think Varland has the ability to be a solid middle reliever who can make 60 appearances in a season and put up an ERA around 3.50. That is nothing flashy, but the Nats need guys like that.

The last potentially impactful waiver claim I want to talk about is a slightly different profile. Paxton Schultz, who the Nats claimed from the Blue Jays, is more of a multi-inning relief arm. He is even able to make some spot starts if needed.

The 28 year old was solid when called upon for the Blue Jays last year. He posted a decent 4.38 ERA in 24.2 innings. Schultz struck out 28 batters and only walked 8 in that time as well. He does not have elite stuff, so he got hit at times, but he always competed out there.

Schultz also performed in multiple roles. He made 13 appearances for the Jays last year, with two of them being starts. Schultz went at least two innings in 6 of his 13 outings. Like Varland, Schultz has a fastball with good carry. He does not get as much ride as Varland, but he also throws from a lower slot. The lower slot and still good ride makes his fastball shape strong.

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

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

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

— Diego Garcia (@StatNerd_Base) January 5, 2026

The heater averages just under 94 MPH, but that shape helps it play up. As someone who goes multiple innings, Schultz has a deeper pitch mix than most relievers. In addition to the heater, Schultz throws a cutter, a changeup and a slider. None of them are elite, but the cutter and changeup are good pitches.

Schultz is a bit like Brad Lord. He can just do whatever you need him to in a bullpen and can even make starts. Lord is more of a real starter than Schultz, but you get the point. The Nats have quite a few pitchers who can fill that long relief role, so Schultz needs to pitch well to make the team.

Even if he does not make the team out of camp, I have a hard time believing he will not make an impact at some point. Schultz is a very valuable optionable arm to have. When the bullpen is tired, you can call him up and he can absorb innings for you.

In a sea of waiver claims this offseason, I think Andre Granillo, Gus Varland and Paxton Schultz will be the most impactful. They all have a history at the MLB level and do not require much projection. None are likely to be stars, but all of them are capable of being solid contributors.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...onals-waiver-claim-make-biggest-impact-season