RSS Nationals Team Notes

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals show defensive flaws in sloppy performance against the Yankees

TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 25: Ben Rice #22 of the New York Yankees forces out Joey Wiemer #21 of the Washington Nationals at first base in the fifth inning during a Grapefruit League spring training game at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 25, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It had been a positive start to the spring for the Washington Nationals, but they got a reality check last night. They suffered their first defeat of the spring, losing 7-0 to the Yankees in a sloppy contest. The Nats were credited with three errors, but that is being generous. It really could have been five or six.

Last season, the Nats were one of the worst defensive teams in baseball. Even while the Nats were winning games early this spring, the defense looked suspect. Last night it ended up costing them. Blake Butera has already made defense an emphasis this spring, but clearly it needs to be an even bigger focus.

One thing Butera is going to really need to focus on is pitchers defense. It has been a consistent problem throughout camp, and it was on display again last night. Clayton Beeter and Andrew Alvarez both made throwing errors last night. In our piece yesterday, we mentioned pitcher defense as an area that had to improve.

The pitchers fielding has been horrific so far this spring

— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball) February 26, 2026

Yesterday the offense was very stagnant as well. The Nats only had one hit. However, offense is a secondary concern to me right now. It is still early in camp right now and guys are still finding their swings. As long as some of the big names on the team show life by the end of spring, it is not a big deal.

The Nats also faced some world class pitching last night. New Yankee Ryan Weathers looked absolutely electric in his spring debut with the team. He was pitching with a point to prove, showing a fastball that reached 100 MPH. Weathers’ stuff looked better than ever and he was hitting all of his spots. The Nats also saw some of the Yankees’ better relief pitchers such as David Bednar and Fernando Cruz.

Ryan Weathers first start as a Yankee:

3.2 IP
5 K
12 Whiffs
52% Whiff rate

Fastball topped out at 99.8 MPH, his career-high.pic.twitter.com/R5XzLixNHz

— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) February 26, 2026

I care much more about the fielding problems than any offensive concerns. Fundamentals should be the focus of Spring Training, and those have been lacking so far for the Nats. It is still February, but the Nats have a long way to go on the defensive side of the ball.

Keibert Ruiz also had a rough night behind the plate. He was not credited with any errors, but his blocking did not look good and he misplayed a ball hit to him. In an open competition, that is not a great look for Ruiz, who has struggled defensively for years. The Nats traded for Harry Ford this offseason, and he should have a chance to win the job out of camp.

Another player who has really struggled to start camp is Dylan Crews. Last night, he struck out twice and made an ugly error where he just dropped the ball. Crews has not lived up to his pre-draft hype so far, making 2026 a massive year for him. He has not been making the kind of statement you would like to see so far this spring.

Dylan Crews drops the ball and the Yankees score another run pic.twitter.com/l8RrHIfkGp

— Dillard Barnhart (@BarnHasSpoken2) February 26, 2026

There is still a long way to go, but I do not think Crews has done enough to be above starting the season at AAA. If Crews continues to struggle and one of the Nats many outfielders outperforms him badly, there should be a conversation. Crews never truly mastered the AAA level, so maybe going down there would not be the worst thing.

Of course, it would take Crews really struggling and someone else really stepping up for that to happen. However, I do believe that is a conversation worth having. Paul Toboni should be able to start with a clean slate. He was not the guy who drafted these players, so he should not feel any loyalty to them. The best man should win. There is still almost a month of Spring Training left, so Crews has plenty of time to redeem himself.

It is still very early in the spring, and the Nats are 4-1 so far. There were some concerning things on display last night, but I do not want this to be all doom and gloom. We should expect some ugly performances from time to time. This is a young team that is not built to win this year.

The Nats getting shelled or shut out every once in a while is not a big deal to me. However, I want them to control the things they can control. That means cleaning up the defensive mistakes and playing smart baseball. You do not need to be the most talented team in the league to play clean baseball. Hopefully we see defensive improvement as we approach the regular season.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...sive-flaws-sloppy-performance-against-yankees

 

[Washington Nationals]

Are the Washington Nationals planning on moving James Wood to right field?

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 27: James Wood #29 of the Washington Nationals catches a fly ball 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

One thing I have noticed this spring is that James Wood has been playing a lot of right field. Two of his three games this spring have been in right field. This is notable because Wood exclusively played left field last season. It is telling that the Nats new regime at least wants to get a look at Wood in right field.

Mark Zuckerman was on this right away, and pointed it out when he was playing there in his first game of the spring. He also talked about this in depth on the Nats Chat podcast with Al Galdi. They talked about why this may be happening, as well as what Wood’s eventual defensive home could be.

The #Nats are playing actual games in Florida and James Wood has seen action in RF.

Hear about Wood, Brady House, and more w/ @MarkZuckerman & @AlGaldi:https://t.co/r39ukvTojs

— Nats Chat Podcast (@Nats_Chat) February 27, 2026

I think this is notable because it could shake up the outfield dynamic. Right now the Nats have four outfielders for three spots with Wood, Daylen Lile, Dylan Crews and Jacob Young. Lile played both corner spots last year, while Crews played center field and right field. Young is only a center fielder, though I am sure he could play the other spots if you wanted. However, putting Young in a corner is a waste.

If Wood is in right field, that would likely shift Lile to left field, which I would like. Lile is a better fit for left field in my opinion. A few years ago, Lile underwent Tommy John Surgery and since coming back his arm strength has been fringy. He posted a -2 arm value last year.

While Lile’s all around defense was an issue, the arm is something that is tougher to fix. Lile made defense a focus this offseason, and came into camp with a point to prove on that side of the ball. He has elite athleticism, but his weak arm and poor reads made him a problem in the outfield. The reads should get better over time, but it is tough to project arm strength. That makes left field the most natural home for him.

Daylen Lile in the lab working on his defense pic.twitter.com/Q9fvURuzyp

— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball) November 7, 2025

If Wood is in right and Lile is in left, Dylan Crews and Jacob Young will be battling for the center field role. There will be times where both play because either Wood or Lile will be DH’ing. However, the Nats are going to want Wood and Lile to get as many reps as possible in the outfield. That would mean either Young or Crews could be on the outside looking in.

Crews has gotten off to a shaky start this spring and Young has not played yet due to a minor injury. In an ideal world, you would want Crews to live up to his pedigree and grab that job from Young. Crews has a much higher ceiling, but Young’s elite defense gives him a solid floor. My plan would be for the two to share time in center field, while Crews occasionally plays right field when either Lile or Wood is at DH.

Even with these four, the outfield is crowded, but there are other candidates to make the roster too. Joey Wiemer, Christian Franklin and Robert Hassell III are all on the 40-man roster right now, but appear to be on the outside looking in. The Nats could carry five outfielders, but even if they do, the fifth guy will not get much playing time.

There are a lot of mouths to feed in the outfield and moving Wood to right field creates another wrinkle. Heading into the season, I figured the plan would be to have Wood in left, Crews in center and Lile in right. My other option would be to have Lile and Wood rotate between left and DH while Jacob Young plays center and Dylan Crews plays right.

This creates a new dynamic, and I do not think that is a bad thing. Wood did not seem like a natural fit in left field. He also has a far better arm than Daylen Lile, which is good for the right field spot. Wood may not have an 80 grade cannon like some right fielders, but it is an above average arm. There were a few times last year where he made really nice throws for outfield assists.

James Wood bullets one to the plate to keep a run off the board pic.twitter.com/XL494MCPQi

— MLB (@MLB) June 1, 2025

Players swapping corner outfield spots is honestly pretty common. It seems like Juan Soto goes from right field to left field every other year. Jayson Werth was another player who played both right and left field pretty frequently. Usually right field is the more demanding position, but it really depends on the ballpark.

If Wood is more comfortable in right field, they should play him there. He did not look natural in left field. However, it is important to remember that Wood mostly played center field in the minors. He did not get exposed to the corners much until Triple-A, and when he did, he mostly played right field.

The outfield alignment is going to be something Blake Butera will have to juggle throughout the season. Having a DH spot makes things a bit easier, but you also do not want to make Lile or Wood a full time DH at such a young age. Hopefully three outfielders emerge and force their way onto the lineup card.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...ionals-planning-moving-james-wood-right-field

 

[Washington Nationals]

Three breakout prospects in the Washington Nationals system

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 31: Sam Petersen #2 of the Scottsdale Scorpions celebrates with teammates after scoring a run during an Arizona Fall League game against the Salt River Rafters at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on October 31, 2025 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It has been a little while since I have talked about the Nats farm system, so I wanted to give it some love. There are plenty of breakout candidates in the system, but I settled on three picks to click. One rule I had was that none of these players could be in the top 10 of the most recent MLB Pipeline top 30.

That means Gavin Fien, Landon Harmon and Luke Dickerson are not eligible for this list. Instead, I am going for some deeper cuts. The three names I chose were Devin Fitz-Gerald, Yoel Tejada Jr., and Sam Petersen. All of these guys showed flashes in 2025, but the best is still yet to come.

Devin Fitz-Gerald is the highest ranked of these prospects. He is the 12th ranked prospect in the Nats system according to Pipeline and is 9th for Baseball America. Fitz-Gerald was a key part of the MacKenzie Gore return. He was picked in the 5th round of the 2024 draft by the Rangers, and had an outstanding first season as a pro.

Nationals SS Devin Fitz-Gerald posted a 143 wRC+ over 41 games across CPX + A ball w/ 6 HR, while walking (16.2%) more than he struck out (13.9%). He coupled that w/ an 80.6% Con% and a low 8.6% SwStr%. A polished LH swing w/ quick hands & generated plenty of pull contact (48.3%) pic.twitter.com/9Lmq3pGron

— Running From The OPS (@OPS_BASEBALL) February 2, 2026

Fitz-Gerald dominated the competition in Rookie Ball before a promotion to Low-A. He only got to play 10 games in Low-A before a shoulder injury ended his season in early July. However, he held his own in A ball, walking more than he struck out. Polish is a key part of Fitz-Gerald’s game. The switch hitting infielder is a very advanced hitter for his age and has a high baseball IQ.

That high baseball IQ should come as no surprise. His dad is the coach at Stoneman Douglas High School, which has produced many MLB players including Anthony Rizzo, Jesus Luzardo and Roman Anthony. Fitz-Gerald played for his dad in high school and was an excellent player.

However, his pro debut went even better than expected. The switch hitter showed more power than expected, which elevated his stock. Everyone knew he was a polished hitter, but the extra power makes him a very complete hitter. Fitz-Gerald is not an elite athlete, so he is likely to move to second or third base. However, he has a good enough bat to do that. Out of the trio of prospects we will cover, Fitz-Gerald is easily the most likely to emerge as a top 100 guy.

He should start the season in a crowded Low-A infield. There is a chance we see Fitz-Gerald, Eli Willits, Angel Feliz, Gavin Fien and Luke Dickerson all start the year at Low-A. That could potentially move Dickerson to the outfield, but that is a conversation for another day. Devin Fitz-Gerald is a prospect whose trajectory is pointed upwards.

For my pitcher, I am going to choose a real deep cut. Yoel Tejada Jr. is the 27th ranked prospect according to Pipeline and the 29th ranked prospect according to Baseball America. However, he has some unique attributes that excite me.

Tejada was taken in the 14th round of the 2024 draft by the Nats. He was not good at all in college, with a career ERA of 5.74. Tejada also had more walks than strikeouts in his college career that only lasted 42.1 innings over three seasons. However, the Nats still drafted him because he is 6’8 and threw in the mid-90’s.

That gamble looks like a smart one. After some mechanical tweaks, he looked like a different pitcher as a pro. Tejada was more in the 91-94 MPH range, but was throwing way more strikes and showed a good feel for spin. His fastball plays up due to his massive extension down the mound as well. There is also a chance he can gain some more velocity.

I’d like to know who listed Yoel Tejada Jr as their pick to click. He’s a deeper cut than most other names on that list.

Tejada Jr is part of a trio of Nats pitching prospects I’m high on, Jose Feliz and Jackson Kent being the other two.

I wrote this about him in January: https://t.co/bHitAv2q9y pic.twitter.com/0f1v23dZl3

— George (@georgerlewis) February 20, 2026

In Low-A, Tejada posted a 3.43 ERA in 78.2 innings. He struck out nearly a batter per inning and walked just 2.4 hitters per nine. His two starts in High-A did not go as well, but that was a small sample size. The improvement in his command is what makes me very intrigued.

At 6’8, he is going to be a weird look for hitters. If he continues to pound the zone like he did last year, Tejada’s stock is only going to rise. I wonder if he can show the velocity he did in college while still pounding the zone. If he can do that, his stock could really take off. Tejada should start the season at High-A, but if he does well there, he could get to Double-A at some point this season.

He could be the next Brad Lord or Riley Cornelio type of arm, who seemingly comes out of nowhere. Both of those guys had velocity spikes as they rose through the minors, so that makes me confident that Tejada could sit in the 94-95 range before too long.

Another pitcher who is in a similar position to Tejada that I want to shout out as an honorable mention is Davian Garcia. He was also part of that 2024 class, and had a similar season to Tejada. Garcia was excellent in Low-A, but struggled in High-A. He got into a Spring Training game a few days ago, where his stuff looked excellent. Look for Garcia to rise into the Nats top 30 list soon.

The last player I want to talk about is Sam Petersen. In a way, he has already broken out, as he had an excellent year mostly in High-A. However, he only played in 57 minor league games due to a couple injuries. If he can stay healthy, Petersen could be yet another candidate to play in the Nats outfield by the end of the season.

While MLB Pipeline has Petersen as their 28th ranked prospect in the system, Baseball America is much higher on him. They have him ranked 14th, sandwiched between Landon Harmon and Ethan Petry. Baseball America put a 55 grade on his hitting, his power and his speed. That is a very impressive combination.

Sam Petersen was one of the top performers in the South Atlantic League while healthy last season.

The Nationals prospect hits the ball with authority to all fields with a line-drive approach, and has the potential for above-average power

He's a potential breakout prospect… pic.twitter.com/jhgZ4KUjm7

— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) January 29, 2026

With the numbers he put up, that makes sense. Wilmington is a notoriously difficult place to hit, but Petersen made it look easy. He hit .297 with an .888 OPS in 44 games at High-A. Those are numbers you do not often see in Wilmington.

Petersen had a good career at Iowa, but fell to the 8th round due to an injury. When he was on the field last year, Petersen’s power and hitting ability looked improved. His max exit velocity improved from college despite switching from metal to wood bats. BA noted that he has an all-field approach, but has become more comfortable pulling the ball in the air.

If Petersen can stay healthy, he has an outside chance of making the big leagues this year. At this time last year, Daylen Lile was on the outside looking in, but he forced his way into the lineup. Petersen has the chance to do something similar if he performs and stays healthy.

It is clear the new regime likes what they are seeing because he has gotten a lot of run early in Spring Training. He has looked good when he has played as well, going 3/6 to start the spring. Despite only playing 44 games at High-A, the 23 year old Petersen should start the year in Double-A.

With a new regime coming in, there are plenty of prospects who could break out. There are obvious names like Eli Willits and Gavin Fien, but there are also some more under the radar picks. Even beyond these three players, there are other sleepers like Marconi German, Angel Feliz and Jackson Kent that I like. The Nats system is deeper than it has been in a long time, and it will be very exciting to follow this season.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...kout-prospects-in-washington-nationals-system

 

[Washington Nationals]

Riley Cornelio looks like 2026’s version of Brad Lord for the Washington Nationals

HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 27, 2025: Riley Cornelio #29 of the Harrisburg Senators pitches during an Eastern League game against the Akron RubberDucks at FNB Field on July 27, 2025 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The Senators beat the RubberDucks, 7-0. (Photo by Thom Wood/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

Last year the Washington Nationals had one pitcher who was the story of camp, and that was Brad Lord. After a breakout year in 2025, Lord showed up to camp with increased velocity and earned a spot on the big league roster. It looks like lightning may have struck twice because Riley Cornelio is following a very similar path.

Like Lord, Riley Cornelio was drafted in the 2022 class. He was taken in the 7th round, while Lord was selected in the 18th round. However, Cornelio’s breakout came a year after Lord. He gained three ticks of velocity according to Baseball America, averaging 94 on his heater.

The velocity gain led to much better results, with Cornelio posting a 3.28 ERA in 134.1 innings across three levels. It looks like the right hander has added even more velocity this spring, averaging over 96 MPH in his first outing of the spring. In his first inning of work, Cornelio averaged over 97, but he was sitting more in the 95-96 range in his second inning.

Woah. Riley Cornelio enters the game touching upper 90s. A velo bump could go a long way towards helping him make the same leap Brad Lord did last year, which ultimately earned him an OD roster spot. 1-2-3 inning with a K

— Nats Of The Future (@NatsOfTheFuture) February 25, 2026

That velocity led to dominant results. In two innings of work, Cornelio allowed one hit, walked nobody and struck out three batters. He looked really sharp and could challenge for a roster spot. Cornelio was actually added to the 40-man roster this offseason, so the prospect of the righty winning a bullpen spot is on the table.

This story really is so similar to Brad Lord. Both came into camp coming off breakout years, but were on the outside looking in. Last year Lord showed up with better stuff and won a roster spot. Based on his first outing, it looks like Cornelio could do the same.

Lord himself actually had high praise for Cornelio in an interview with Grant Paulsen. He called Cornelio the most underrated player in Nats camp. I think Lord might be on to something there because Cornelio looked like a big leaguer in his outing last night.

I asked Brad Lord what player at Nats camp is the most underrated. He said RHP Riley Cornelio.

Cornelio shined in his spring debut tonight. He struck out three over two scoreless innings, retiring 6 of 7 batters faced. Touched 97, got 9 whiffs on 23 swings. Exciting outing. pic.twitter.com/RRbBxAv9Dc

— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) February 25, 2026

While the added velocity is the headliner for Cornelio, his fastball just sets the table for his best pitch. Riley Cornelio has always been known for his wipeout slider and he showcased that last night. He got five whiffs on the slider and threw it just as much as his fastball. Despite added velocity, Cornelio seems to be moving away from his fastball, a common trend in Nats camp.

Like Lord, Cornelio can pitch in multiple different roles, but I think he would be best suited to the bullpen. His fastball tends to lose steam as the game goes on and he is mostly a fastball-slider guy. That feels like a bullpen arm to me, but he can also start. Cornelio has proven to be durable in the minors, so he can serve as an innings eating starter.

If the Nats wanted to be creative, Lord and Cornelio could be a tandem. Both are at their best in two to three innings spurts. Maybe they could piggy back each other and each go three or four innings. Instead of having one person take up a rotation spot, it could be a duo.

Cornelio still has to keep up the strong performances if he wants to make the team. There are guys ahead of him in the pecking order, so he will have to out-perform them. He also was not totally perfect last night. Cornelio made a fielding error, which probably frustrated manager Blake Butera. So far this spring, Nats pitchers have been shaky defensively.

Two impressive innings from RHP Riley Cornelio, who struck out 3 with a fastball that averaged 97 mph. He did, however, commit the latest in a string of E1's by the Nats pitching staff. All the PFP's apparently can't simulate real game situations.

— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) February 25, 2026

With that in mind, Blake Butera is probably going to amp up the PFP work. The Nats already have defensive question marks, so they need their pitchers to be able to field their position. That is a secondary concern though.

Overall, it is great to see an arm really impress early in camp. In this new regime, there are going to be some unexpected pitchers who find lightning in a bottle. We are already seeing a new pitching philosophy from the Nats. The team is dialing back fastball usage in a big way.

Even with the team moving away from fastballs, velocity remains important. It is still very helpful. Fastballs are not the only pitch that benefits from extra velocity. Adding velocity to breaking balls also helps improve those pitches. Riley Cornelio has added velocity, and that added heat could win him a roster spot.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...26s-version-of-brad-lord-washington-nationals

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals vs New York Mets Game Thread

CLEARWATER, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 26: Nasim Nuñez #26 of the Washington Nationals advances to third base during the first inning of a spring training game against the Philadelphia Philliesat BayCare Ballpark on February 26, 2026 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Mark Taylor/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After a tie with the Astros last night, the Nats are back in action this afternoon against the Mets. They are headed to Fort St. Lucie to face a stacked Mets lineup. It will be a good test for this young Nats team who has shown some sloppiness in the last couple games this spring.

The Nats who did not play last night will be in action this afternoon. That means we will see the likes of James Wood, Daylen Lile, Brady House and Harry Ford, among others. Wood and Lile have had slow starts to the spring, so it would be nice to see them make a statement. Jake Irvin will be on the mound, facing a very strong Mets lineup.

hey another lineup pic.twitter.com/4YfzKUm5me

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) February 28, 2026

As we have mentioned a couple times now, the Mets are rolling out a lineup that should be pretty similar to their Opening Day lineup. New additions Marcus Semien and Bo Bichette are in the lineup. Juan Soto will be hitting between them in the two hole. Long time Mets like Francisco Alvarez, Brett Baty and Mark Vientos will also be in the lineup. Tobias Myers was part of the Freddie Peralta trade, and he will be on the mound for the Mets.

Saturday’s lineup #LGM pic.twitter.com/DMmn1PZFUD

— New York Mets (@Mets) February 28, 2026

Game Info:

Stadium: Clover Park

Time: 1:10 PM EST

TV: SNY/MLB TV

Radio: N/A

This should be a good test for the Nats. Jake Irvin will have to work his way through a big league lineup and Tobias Myers is no scrub on the mound either. There have been some slow starters for the Nats this spring, so hopefully they can wake up. Follow along down below and let’s go Nats!

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...ington-nationals-vs-new-york-mets-game-thread

 

[Washington Nationals]

Three most impressive Washington Nationals so far in Spring Training

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 17: Brady House #55 of the Washington Nationals bats against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park on September 17, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Now that the calendar has turned to March, we are heading into the meat of the Spring Training schedule. However, I wanted to shout out three players who have really impressed me so far this spring. The three players I have been most impressed with have been Brady House, Riley Cornelio and Nasim Nunez.

All three had different things to prove this spring. For House, he has the third base job locked up, but after a poor offensive rookie year, Nats fans wanted to see more life with the bat. So far, that is exactly what we have gotten from Brady House. He is absolutely smoking the ball and has four extra base hits.

In his first game of the spring, House made a statement, hitting two homers, including one off of Sandy Alcantara. He has continued to swing a hot bat in his first few games, going 5/11. House is consistently hitting the ball over 100 MPH, even when he is getting out. Yesterday, he hit a double that was 111 MPH off the bat.

Brady House has hit more Home Runs than singles this Spring.

Spring Training EV’s of his hits:

110.7
109.4
106.8

Spring Training EV’s of his outs:

102.5
98.2
94.6
91.3
88.9
84.1

He’s not even 23 yet.

pic.twitter.com/0BkmeLv58Z

— LouisAnalysis (@LouisAnalysis) March 1, 2026

Brady House is a flawed hitter, but he has tremendous raw power to all fields. The approach is questionable, but House has the ability to slug his way out of some of those concerns. House has been consistently hitting line drives and flyballs, which I love to see. He will always strike out a decent bit and doesn’t take a ton of walks, but his quality of contact has looked outstanding.

House can be one of those hitters who has the ability to sustain high BABIP numbers because he hits the ball so hard and at good angles to get hits. He will need to show at least 20-25 home run power to be a productive hitter, but the signs of that are there so far this spring. After last season, I was a bit bearish about House, but it looks like he may have taken a leap.

The lone pitcher I will discuss today is Riley Cornelio. I wrote a piece about him a few days ago where I went in depth. However, I wanted to talk a little more about the 25 year old pitcher. His stuff looked absolutely outstanding in his first outing of the spring.

The velocity was better than ever, averaging over 96 MPH. Cornelio’s signature slider was also very sharp. That led to two dominant innings where he struck out three. Cornelio also lit up stuff models. His 110 stuff+ rating is in the top 20 of all pitchers who have tossed at least 20 pitches this spring.

Spring Training tjStuff+ Leaders pic.twitter.com/YEo3fy0LHI

— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) March 1, 2026

That raw stuff makes Cornelio a very interesting prospect for me. He is unlikely to make the team out of camp, but if he keeps throwing the ball like this, he will have a shot. At this time last year, we did not think Brad Lord would make the team, but he gave the team no choice.

I think Cornelio could do the same thing. He had a breakout season in the minors last year and looks like he took another step. I can’t wait to see him pitch again and I am really rooting for the former 7th round pick.

The last player I want to discuss is Nasim Nunez. Going into camp, he was the favorite to win a bench role. It seems like he has a roster spot locked up after a strong start. Now, the only question is how much will Nasim Nunez play.

Last September, Nunez showed much improved power. For most of his career, Nunez was a defensive specialist who could not provide much with the bat. However, it seems like something has clicked. He is driving the ball with authority on a consistent basis.

Nunez’s bat speed improved a lot last season, and it looks like he has kept those gains. He is hitting .300 with a .962 OPS so far this spring. The quality of contact impresses me more than the raw numbers though. Nunez is driving the ball to the pull side and that is leading to extra base hits.

Nasim Nunez’s trademark defense is still there as well. He is such a joy to watch at shortstop. His actions are incredibly smooth and he has such a great arm, especially for a smaller guy. Watching Nunez at short vs CJ Abrams is really jarring because it is clear how much better Nunez is defensively. He has already made some really nice plays this spring.

Nasim Nuñez backhand stop into a double play.

That glove work is ridiculous. Smooth does not even cover it.

Defense like that wins games. pic.twitter.com/t9zXs3XqFo

— natsfanatics (@natsfanatics_) February 28, 2026

At this point, Nunez will absolutely be on the roster. However, I want him to be playing on a fairly regular basis. I would also love to see the Nats play Nunez at shortstop and CJ Abrams at second base. You could also put Luis Garcia Jr. at first base on those days as well. This should be an alignment the Nats turn to at least occasionally.

After last season, I was still skeptical about Nunez as a hitter, and I still have questions. However, it looks like the improvements he made are sticking. If that is the case, Nunez can be an incredibly valuable player. Even as an average or slightly below average hitter, Nunez has the glove to bring value to the team.

It is still early in spring, but Brady House, Riley Cornelio and Nasim Nunez have really impressed me. Hopefully they can sustain this level of success through the spring and into the regular season. If they can be real contributors, it would really help the Nats outlook. I do not want to overreact, but I like what I am seeing from those three players.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...ssive-washington-nationals-in-spring-training

 

[Washington Nationals]

Rule 5 pick Griff McGarry could be a steal for the Washington Nationals

RICHMOND, VA - JUNE 25: Griff McGarry #48 of the Reading Fightin Phils pitching during the game between the Reading Fightin Phils and the Richmond Flying Squirrels at The Diamond on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Matthew Mitrani/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)

When the Nats selected Griff McGarry in the Rule 5 Draft, I was cautiously optimistic. He possesses some of the best stuff in the minor leagues, but has had trouble throwing strikes over the years. Last year, we saw a similar story with Evan Reifert. He had a nasty slider but was nowhere near the zone in Spring Training.

That meant the Nats returned Reifert to the Rays before he ever played a regular season game. There is a chance the same thing could happen with McGarry. However, McGarry had a dominant first outing of Spring Training where he pounded the zone and struck out two batters in a 1-2-3 inning.

In a wide open bullpen, McGarry probably has the best pure stuff. However, he walked almost 14% of hitters in AA last year as a starter. The crazy thing is that was a big improvement from 2024, when he walked an insane 24% of hitters. With not much to lose, the Nats took a shot on McGarry because his pure stuff grades out as some of the best in the minors.

Here where Griff McGarry ranked on @BaseballAmerica's list of minor leaguers Stuff+ this season: https://t.co/z2xmL0f7t8 pic.twitter.com/9AAx9gO5Y8

— Andrew Golden (@andrewcgolden) December 10, 2025

Last night, we saw what happens when McGarry is throwing strikes. He has an upper 90’s fastball, but that served as a table setter for his insane breaking balls. McGarry has a natural feel for spin and he showed that last night.

He threw two separate breaking balls, a slider and a sweeper. Out of his 10 pitches, 8 of them were breaking balls. The sweeper has a ton of spin, averaging over 3,000 RPM’s last night. However, he threw his harder slider half the time and it got excellent results. McGarry was able to land the pitch in the zone and get whiffs.

Nasty first outing from Griff McGarry who struck out two. Breaking ball heavy attack from the Rule 5 pick

— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball) February 28, 2026

It is worth noting that McGarry faced non big leaguers, but if he is around the zone, he can get anyone out. McGarry’s biggest nemesis is his own control rather than the hitters at the plate. Out of all pitchers that threw last night, McGarry had the third highest Stuff+ rating. Stuff+ measures the velocity and movement of a pitch and puts a grade on it, with 100 being average.

Daily tjStuff+ Leaders
2026-02-27
Min. 10 Pitches

1) Carlos Lagrange – 118
2) Mason Montgomery – 114
3) Griff McGarry – 113 pic.twitter.com/vRSPrlJRzK

— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) February 28, 2026

Again, McGarry is still a high variance arm. I would not be surprised if he finds his way into a high leverage role, but I also would not be surprised if he was returned to the Phillies pretty quickly. It is all about finding the zone for McGarry.

Last year McGarry found the zone enough to have success. In 21 starts, he posted a 3.44 ERA despite shaky control. McGarry is similar to Clayton Beeter, with both only needing fringy control to have success.

When McGarry goes on heaters, he is totally unhittable. There was a time last season when he struck out 23 batters in two starts. Crucially, he only walked one batter in 11 innings in those two starts. It is so tantalizing to see what McGarry can do when he is throwing strikes.

Griff McGarry has struck out TWENTY-THREE batters in his last two starts pic.twitter.com/rPNAGsm3Ws

— Milb Central (@milb_central) August 14, 2025

One thing I have a minor question about is how he will transition to the bullpen. The Phillies moved him to the bullpen in 2024, and he had his worst year as a pro, with his walks getting out of control. When he went back to starting last year, the results got better. Was that due to mechanical tweaks or is McGarry more comfortable starting?

If he is more comfortable starting, that could be problematic. He profiles much better as a reliever due to his strike-throwing issues and breaking ball heavy approach. The Nats are going to have to help him learn to prepare as a reliever because that is the role he will be filling this year.

McGarry seemed comfortable in the bullpen last night, but this will be something worth monitoring. He turns 27 in June, so now is the time for Griff McGarry to be unleashed. As a Rule 5 pick, he is going to have to stick in the big leagues for the entire season if the Nats want to hold on to him. Given the Nats are not going to be a contender, there will be room for growing pains here.

In Boston, Paul Toboni actually had a lot of success finding value in the Rule-5 Draft. Justin Slaten and Garrett Whitlock were both Rule 5 picks and are now key pieces to the Red Sox bullpen. Hopefully, McGarry can do the same thing in DC. He certainly has the raw stuff to be a big leaguer, which we saw last night. For McGarry, it will be all about finding the zone.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...garry-could-be-steal-for-washington-nationals

 

[Washington Nationals]

MLB Pipeline drops their new Washington Nationals top 30 prospect list

ATLANTA, GA - JULY 12: Alex Clemmey #30 of the Washington Nationals pitches during the 2025 MLB All-Star Futures Game at Truist Park on Saturday, July 12, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

This morning, MLB Pipeline released their updated top 30 prospect list for the Washington Nationals. There were some interesting risers and fallers, as well as some useful tidbits in their write-ups. The new rankings give us a better understanding of how the system is viewed at the current moment. Unsurprisingly, Eli Willits ranks number one, but there are some unique rankings down the board.

Our rollout of the 2026 Top 30 Prospects lists begins!

Here are the brand-new lists for all AL & NL East clubs: https://t.co/KcSvpihlcJ pic.twitter.com/OEBxk9wsB9

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 2, 2026

MLB Pipeline does a good job keeping their rankings relatively up to date, so there were not any insane changes. However, there were some new rankings that intrigued me. We will dive into a few of them here. Everyone knows about the top five of Willits, Travis Sykora, Harry Ford, Jarlin Susana and Gavin Fien. The stuff down the board honestly interests me more.

One ranking that stood out to me was Yoel Tejada at 13. That is higher than most outlets have him and is much higher than Pipeline had him before. We wrote about Tejada the other day and mentioned that he was 29th on Pipeline’s old list. The folks over at Pipeline must have come away very impressed by the right-hander’s first pro season.

They mentioned that Tejada has been sitting in the mid-90’s this spring according to club sources. This both intrigues me, but also is not surprising. That is where he sat in college, but in his first pro season, Tejada was in the 91-94 range because he was emphasizing his control. If Tejada can get his old velocity with his new found control, he could truly break out this year.

He gets a crazy amount of extension down the mound and was throwing a lot of strikes last year. Fangraphs gave him a shoutout as a pitcher who could be a sneaky top 100 candidate in a year. If his stuff and command are both there this year, that is possible. His height makes him very unique and he has a good slider to go with that. Look out for Yoel Tejada this year.

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

— FanGraphs Baseball (@fangraphs) February 19, 2026

Interestingly, Alex Clemmey fell out of the Nats top 10 and sits at 11 now. Some of that is due to new players coming in, but he also slipped a bit. We know the deal with Clemmey, he has nasty stuff, but the strikethrowing is a work in progress. Despite walking a lot of hitters, he still managed to be productive last year.

However, Pipeline mentioned that his slider was not quite as sharp in 2025 and his velocity settled more in the 92-96 MPH range. His weird release traits help his stuff play up and his changeup was much better in 2025. Clemmey is still only 20 years old and is already in Double-A. He is an interesting prospect because he is productive, but it seems like he needs to make pretty big changes to fully convince scouts.

The highest ranked prospect I will dive into here is Gavin Fien. He was the headliner in the MacKenzie Gore trade and ranks fifth in the system. Fien is a bat first infielder, but some scouts have questions about his swing. Despite an unorthodox swing, he hit at a very high level against the best high school opponents he saw.

"To have that level of talent that you can train with, I think it only enhances you and makes you better."

Gavin Fien has gotten in work with a fellow 2025 first-rounder since joining the #Nats — No. 1 overall pick Eli Willits: https://t.co/navH4fZw9Q pic.twitter.com/jTdZM6JfPm

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) February 25, 2026

One thing that stood out in his writeup was the Nats plans for him defensively. It seems like they are going to have him split time between shortstop, third base and second base. Most scouts viewed him as a third baseman despite the fact he played shortstop in high school. It is no surprise he is getting action there, but the second base part is interesting.

The bat will always be the best part of Fien’s game, but the Nats seem like they want to make him a versatile player. Over the last few years, we have seen more big guys play second base. Max Muncy playing second for the Dodgers a few years ago is the best example of that.

The Nats have a ton of young infield prospects, so giving Fien exposure to multiple positions gives him more paths to playing time. I like that plan by the Nats. Fien will always be a bat first prospect, but versatility would give him more defensive value.

One player who moved up the list despite not throwing a pitch is Miguel Sime. That must mean Pipeline is getting good reports about him from their sources. He is ranked 16th in the system and moved past Coy James. While Sime was drafted higher, James got a bigger bonus.

Sime is known for his fastball which can reach triple digits. However, he has some control questions and his secondary pitches could use some development. Based on the write-up, it seems like the Nats are developing those secondary pitches already. Sime already has a curveball, but is reportedly toying with a harder slider.

Miguel Sime. pic.twitter.com/aKCEfkZhWm

— Nationals Source (@NationalsSource) January 15, 2026

Sime’s pure velocity makes him a very interesting prospect. It gives him a bigger margin for error. He does not need pinpoint command, it just has to be decent. If starting fails, Sime also has the arm to be an electric reliever. I am interested to follow his progress this year.

These are some of the most notable notes, but there are other rankings that interest me. Pipeline still seems to be bearish on Sam Petersen, only moving him up to 22nd on their list despite his production. It seems like they are worried about his bat to ball skills as he climbs up the minors.

Their rankings of the Nats 2024 draft picks were interesting too. Seaver King and Luke Dickerson were not very productive, but still rank 7th and 8th in the system. Caleb Lomavita had better production, but slipped to 28th on the list. They did not sound overly excited in the writeup.

Marconi German rose to 21st on the list, but they are not all in on him yet. He was very productive in the DSL, but Pipeline wants to see what he can do when he comes stateside. German is a smaller player, at just 5’10 and does not have much physical projection. However, he has a good approach, solid power and nice speed and defense. He could be a riser if he continues to produce.
If you want to look at the whole top 30 list and the writeups, the link is here. Pipeline is a great resource for fans and it is free. The folks over there do a great job and I really enjoyed their writeups this year.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...new-washington-nationals-top-30-prospect-list

 

[Washington Nationals]

Could We See Seaver King In The Major Leagues In 2026?

Seaver King’s first full professional season went a bit rocky in 2025, posting an 88 wRC+ in 125 games, including a 78 wRC+ at Double A. While he flashed some incredible tools, such as plus defensive ability at shortstop and elite speed, his lack of plate discipline and struggle to tap into his power limited his offensive upside.

Coupled with the fact that seemingly every player selected before and after King in the 2024 MLB Draft is now a top prospect in the sport or already a big leaguer, it’s understandable why the fanbase has had some frustrations with King’s development.

While the regular season didn’t go quite as many hoped it would for King in 2025, his performance in the Arizona Fall League was certainly worth tuning in for. In 18 games and 79 plate appearances, he hit .359 with 2 home runs and a 1.030 OPS. The sample size was small, but the underlying metrics backed up his strong performance, as he posted a 93rd percentile average exit velocity, 96th percentile hard hit rate, and 72nd percentile strikeout rate in the AFL.

King has taken the improvements he made in the AFL and, so far, applied them to Spring Training, as he is 4-8 with 4 singles and a walk so far this spring, good for a 180 wRC+. Perhaps most importantly, he has yet to strike out, a pleasing sight after he ran a 21% strikeout rate in the minors last year.

The sample is once again way, way too small to draw any meaningful conclusions from, but the fact that King has been able to perform well against upper-minor-league and big league pitching is very reassuring for his future as a big league hitter.

King will almost certainly begin his 2026 regular season campaign in Double A, playing Shortstop everyday. While he struggled at the level in his 80 games there in 2025, his strong AFL performance, coupled with the new coaching staff around him, has me more confident this time around in his ability to handle the pitching at that level. If he goes out and performs well in the first few months of 2026, he should see a promotion to Rochester, putting him on the doorstep of the big leagues. If his breakout continues there, could we see Seaver King in DC by the end of the year?

King’s big league fate this season would depend not only on his own production, but the production and future of those ahead of him already. 4 shortstops sit ahead of Seaver King in the Nationals organization currently: Sergio Alcantara, Levi Jordan, Nasim Nunez, and CJ Abrams.

The 29-year-old Alcantara and 30-year-old Jordan are more organizational depth than anything, not making them major hurdles for King if he has an offensive breakout, but Nunez could prove difficult to overtake for King, as he has the benefit of already being a big leaguer and sharing many similar skills to King, as both are speedsters with plus defense at shortstop and questions with their bats.

Then, of course, there is CJ Abrams, the Nats’ star shortstop, who is leaps and bounds better offensively than King at the moment, but lacking on the defensive side of the ball. While it’s hard to envision King outright taking the shortstop position from Abrams anytime soon, there is the potential for Abrams moving off it to open the spot for him, whether that be from Abrams moving to another position, such as second base, or Abrams being traded to another ballclub.

In a world where King has the breakout 2026 campaign fans are hoping for, and Abrams is moved at the deadline for more prospects to strengthen the farm system, I believe there is the potential for Seaver King to be playing middle infield for the Nationals in the backend of the 2026 season. Thanks to his great versatility, his path to big league playing time is increased, as he could come up and play any number of positions the Nats need him to.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...ould-see-seaver-king-in-major-leagues-in-2026

 

[Washington Nationals]

What Washington Nationals fans learned from Josiah Gray’s return to action

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 04: Josiah Gray #40 of the Washington Nationals pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at Nationals Park on April 04, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Josiah Gray made his long awaited return to action after missing most of the last two seasons due to Tommy John Surgery. He was solid, but not spectacular in his return. Gray went 1.2 innings, but he would have completed two if not for a dropped third strike. His stuff was crisp, especially in the first inning.

Like a lot of Nationals pitchers, Gray is really backing off his fastball usage. This is not very surprising for him because we saw him moving away from his heater back in 2023 when we saw him last. Gray’s fastball has always been his achilles heel, as it has gotten crushed when hitters make contact. He only threw 9 fastballs in 38 pitches yesterday.

Josiah Gray threw 38 pitches (25 strikes) over 1 2/3 innings in his first MLB game in nearly 2 years. Only threw 9 fastballs, but averaged 92.5 mph and topped out at 94 mph. Struck out 3 (all on breaking balls).

— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) March 2, 2026

I do not think that will be an outlier in terms of usage for Gray. He has a few different breaking ball shapes he can throw. Yesterday, Gray’s two most used pitches were his slider and curveball. He also mixed in a sweeper a few times. There are other breaking ball shapes we know he can throw too. Back in 2023, he threw a cutter 18% of the time, so maybe that could be a pitch he brings into the fold as well.

The velocity was a bit of a mixed bag, which is not overly surprising. In the first inning, Gray was sitting 94 on his fastball, which really excited me. That is harder than he was throwing in 2023. However, the velocity was down in the 91-92 range in his second inning of work.

He does not really rely on his fastball, so that is not the end of the world. However, secondary pitches are also helped by power and having to respect the fastball. Those secondary pitches were pretty sharp for Gray yesterday. I really loved how he used his curveball as a weapon against lefties. Against left handers, he threw the pitch 61% of the time. Righties saw a heavy dose of sliders.

The grades of those secondary pitches were strong, at least according to the Pitch Profiler model. All of Gray’s breaking balls graded out as above average according to their model. The fastball was a bit below average, which is not much of a surprise.

Josiah Gray returned to the mound today!

He leaned heavily on his secondaries and punched out three over 1.2 innings. pic.twitter.com/HmTExEL4k5

— Pitch Profiler (@pitchprofiler) March 2, 2026

However, there was another model by TJ Stats that was more bearish on Gray’s stuff. All four of Gray’s pitches graded out as below average. Thomas Nestico, the founder of TJ Stats pointed out that Gray’s low release height may help the stuff play up. It is interesting to see how different models can see pitchers’ stuff slightly differently.

Josiah Gray made his debut!

After a couple of injured riddled seasons, Gray is lined up to start 2026 in the Nationals rotation. It was an encouraging outing. While the fastball grade is low, its combination of ride and flat VAA makes it a pitch to follow this Spring pic.twitter.com/dL17lfXTQl

— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) March 2, 2026

That is an example of why you can’t just blindly trust these models. They are great resources, but you have to look at the full picture. If a pitcher with great Stuff+ numbers gets lit up, you have to ask why that could be. Also, pitchers like Ranger Suarez can overperform models due to command and deception.

While that is an interesting side bar, the main thing about yesterday is that Josiah Gray was healthy and throwing the ball well. He has missed a lot of time, so hopefully as he gets more innings under his belt, he can sustain that velocity he showed in the first inning.

Overall, he made a strong first impression in his battle to win a rotation spot. If he continues to pitch like this, he should grab a spot in the Nats rotation. He has more interesting traits than the likes of Mitchell Parker and Andrew Alvarez. I also think Brad Lord’s best role is in the bullpen, so Gray winning a spot could help with that.

It is great to see Josiah Gray healthy. Back in 2023, I was a bit of a skeptic. I did not think his results were sustainable. However, after last season, I would kill for a reliable mid to back of the rotation starter who can give you league average production. That is what I think Josiah Gray could provide for the Nats.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...onals-fans-learned-josiah-grays-return-action

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals vs Venezuela Game Thread

TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 25: José Tena #8 of the Washington Nationals turns a double play over Kenedy Corona #87 of the New York Yankees in the second inning during a Grapefruit League spring training game at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 25, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Tonight, the Nationals are taking part in an exciting and unique exhibition. They are facing Team Venezuela as they get ready for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. The Venezuelans have a stacked roster, especially offensively. Tonight will be a good test for the young Nats, who are rolling out a strong lineup.

Speaking of that lineup, it is the closest thing we have seen to a potential Opening Day lineup. I don’t think it will look exactly like this, but it will be close. James Wood, CJ Abrams, Dylan Crews, Daylen Lile and Brady House all feature. Interestingly, Luis Garcia Jr. will be playing first base for the first time this spring. We will also get to see Foster Griffin for the first time. The crafty lefty signed with the Nats after three highly successful seasons in Japan.

ready to go

watch LIVE for FREE on https://t.co/iUBDqlACVs pic.twitter.com/HuYTLi8eib

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) March 4, 2026

The Venezuelan lineup is loaded with well-known names. Ronald Acuna Jr., Salvador Perez and Luis Arraez are just a few notable names in this star studded lineup. While Jose Altuve will not be playing this WBC, the Venezuelans have more than enough fire power to make a surprise run in the competition. On the mound, Venezuela will be featuring Eduardo Rodriguez. The veteran lefty has not been the same since signing a big contract in Arizona, but he is still a serviceable big league innings eater.

Lineup de Venezuela hoy vs. Washington:

Ronald Acuña Jr. RF
Javier Sanoja CF
Luis Arráez 2B
Salvador Pérez C
Jackson Chourio BD
Eugenio Suárez 3B
Wilyer Abreu LF
Willson Contreras 1B
Ezequiel Tovar SS

Eduardo Rodríguez P

— German Augusto Cartaya (@germancartaya) March 4, 2026

Game Info:

Stadium: CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches

Time: 6:05 PM EST

TV: Nationals.TV

Radio: N/A

This is a really exciting game that I am really looking forward to. It will be interesting to see how Foster Griffin fares against such a strong lineup. I am also interested to see how the boys can match up with a really solid Venezuela team. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...washington-nationals-vs-venezuela-game-thread

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals catcher Harry Ford poised to make a statement at the World Baseball Classic

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

Yesterday Great Britain played in their first tune-up game for the World Baseball Classic. That meant we got to see Harry Ford in a Great Britain jersey. Ford, who has British parents, has represented the country for a while and will do so again at the WBC. In the last WBC, Ford rose to the occasion, and he will look to do so again.

If the first exhibition against the Brewers is a sign of things to come, Ford will have a big tournament. He had three hits, including a homer in the game yesterday. While there was no video of the homers, the Nats got some photos of Ford rounding the bases. It was his first homer of the spring.

yer a home run hitter, harry pic.twitter.com/fjZFC6HTtC

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) March 3, 2026

The Nats acquired Ford in a trade that sent Jose A. Ferrer to the Mariners. Despite being one of the best catching prospects in baseball, Ford was blocked in Seattle due to the presence of Cal Raleigh. That made the Mariners open to trading the 71st ranked prospect for a reliever. Ford has a well rounded offensive profile that is led by his strong plate discipline. His power and contact skills are just average, but his great eye makes him a potentially above average hitter.

While Ford has been a good player in the minors over the years, he seems to rise to a new level when he puts on that Great Britain jersey. The last World Baseball Classic was Ford’s coming out party. Despite just turning 20, Ford was one of Britain’s top players in 2023. His signature moment was a clutch home run against Colombia in pool play. Ford actually hit two homers during pool play.

HAPPY MONDAY HARRY FORD HOMERED FOR GREAT BRITAIN AGAIN pic.twitter.com/SjYnCWYiGj https://t.co/UvUocgCpB3

— Jordan Shusterman (@j_shusterman_) March 13, 2023

With another home run yesterday, it really seems like Ford brings the boom when he represents the UK. While Ford was the young kid on the team in 2023, he will be playing a leadership role for Great Britain this time around. He is the co-captain of the team, alongside Yankees star Jazz Chisholm. The fact he is able to play a leadership role at 23 years old is very impressive and speaks to his high character.

It is not like Britain is full of no-name players either. There are several big leaguers or former big leaguers on the roster. Many of those guys are older than Ford, but it was the new Nats catcher who became captain.

An interesting wrinkle in all of this is that Ford is leaving camp in the middle of a positional battle. Ford is battling with Keibert Ruiz and Drew Millas for a spot on the Opening Day roster. Ruiz has actually hit well this spring, though his defense has been shaky. Millas has also been solid, so leaving camp could cost him a job. However, a big WBC could force the Nats into considering him for the starting job.

I hope Ford wins the starting job, and if he does not, I want him to get an opportunity pretty quickly. The Nats need new blood behind the plate, and that is why they traded for Ford in the first place. Keibert Ruiz has had chance after chance, but he has not been able to establish himself as a productive starter. Ford should get that chance sooner rather than later.

Given his performances in a Great Britain jersey, Ford seems poised for a big WBC. Hitting on the biggest stage would put a positive shine on him in this catcher battle. After his big day yesterday, I joked that Ford turns into Buster Posey when he puts that Great Britain jersey on.

Harry Ford when he plays for Great Britain pic.twitter.com/ffKp82Kb1n

— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball) March 3, 2026

The Nats only have a couple representatives at this WBC, and Ford is the most notable one. That means Nats fans’ eyes will be on the young catcher. Harry Ford seems like a young man who rises to the occasion, and he will have the opportunity to show that clutch gene again in the WBC. It would be very cool if he could lead the Brits on a Cinderella run in the WBC.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/mlb...ised-make-statement-at-world-baseball-classic

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals announce a stacked Spring Breakout roster

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 16, 2025: Seaver King #7 of the Washington Nationals runs out a single during the seventh inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the New York Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 16, 2025 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

On March 19th at 4:30 PM EST, the Nationals are playing in the Spring Breakout game against the Cardinals. The Spring Breakout game is a very cool concept the MLB introduced a few years ago where teams top prospects play against each other in a showcase event. It gives fans a chance to see prospects they would not otherwise be able to watch.

Most MLB fans do not go to many minor league games, but a lot go down for Spring Training. This event exposes a lot of more casual fans to these prospects. I think it is a great idea and teams have really bought into it. The Nats roster for this event is filled with their top prospects. Most of the Nats top 30 prospects that are not injured are on the roster. Here is a look at the roster.

Nationals' roster for their March 19 Spring Breakout prospect game vs. Cardinals pic.twitter.com/P1wrGu6rBq

— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) March 5, 2026

There are a number of really interesting names that are all in different parts of their careers. Some of these guys are knocking on the door of the big leagues, while others are teenagers who just got drafted. That variety is part of what makes this event so exciting.

I wanted to highlight a few names I am eager to see. One of them is Luis Perales, who actually pitched today against the Mets in Spring Training. He was acquired for Jake Bennett this offseason in a rare prospect for prospect trade. Perales has absolutely electric stuff, but also has serious relief risk.

We saw the full package in his outing today. He averaged nearly 100 MPH on his fastball and showcased a pair of nasty breaking pitches. However, the command was erratic, especially with his fastball. He only walked one batter, but there were a lot of deep counts. The stuff was absolutely filthy and when he was executing, he was getting whiffs.

Luis Perales made his Nationals debut!

It's no surprise that Washington was interested in Perales from the Red Sox this winter. His fastball sat at 100 MPH with elite ride which pairs with a strong pair of cutters and sliders. There is some relief risk, but the stuff is nasty! pic.twitter.com/ljj3LlPia2

— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) March 5, 2026

This year, the Nats are going to have to decide whether Perales is a starter or a reliever. He is likely to start the year in the AAA rotation. However, the bullpen is a strong fall back option. He is already on the 40 man roster, so the Nats will have to make a decision on him before too long. I am really excited to see Perales pitch though.

A position player I am excited to watch is Marconi German. There are a ton of middle infielders on this roster, so there is no guarantee he plays much in the game. However, I want to just see what he looks like out there. He has yet to make his stateside debut, but lit up the Dominican Summer League last year. I know his stats, but I feel like I do not know the player yet.

Getting to know the player beyond just the stats is a lot of what this Spring Breakout is all about. This is the first time fans are able to see a lot of these players. It can also be the first time these players ever play in their team’s uniform. 2025 draft picks like Coy James, Miguel Sime Jr., and Landon Harmon have yet to play a professional game. That means the Spring Breakout game is the first time any fans will see them.

The teams are also all in on this idea, which makes it really work. 91 of the top 100 prospects will be playing in the Spring Breakout game. The only ones that are not are injured players like Jarlin Susana or guys who are locks to make the team like Nolan McLean of the Mets.

91 Top 100 prospects
97 first-round picks
23 countries and territories represented

Here are the preliminary rosters for 2026 Spring Breakout: https://t.co/JVck4o4bgy pic.twitter.com/piivfne1Mm

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 5, 2026

This participation is part of what makes the event so fun. Basically every relevant Nats prospect that is able to play is on the roster. This might be my favorite part of Spring Training and it is such a great idea from the MLB. Set your calendars for March 19th at 4:30.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...onals-announce-stacked-spring-breakout-roster

 

[Washington Nationals]

A pitch usage tweak could take Cole Henry to the next level

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 14: Cole Henry #99 of the Washington Nationals pitches to the Philadelphia Phillies during the ninth inning at Nationals Park on August 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Last year was a true breakthrough season for Cole Henry. After years of battling major injuries, including Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, the former second round pick made the big leagues as a reliever. Despite the solid season, Henry has seemingly overhauled his pitch mix entering year 2. I think his cutter will prove to be a massive weapon this season.

While Henry technically threw five pitches last season, he was primarily a 4-seam fastball and sweeper pitcher. Both of those pitches have strong characteristics, but with nothing in between those pitches, it could be easy to tell what was coming. I think that is part of the reason hitters rarely chased against Henry. He needed to find a bridge pitch between the fastball and the sweeper.

For most of his career, Henry has been reliant on his dynamic fastball and a slower breaking ball. Last year, that breaking ball was classified as a curveball, but this offseason that was changed to a sweeper. Whatever you want to call it, Henry has always relied on those two pitches. Even when he was a starter before all the injuries, those were the highlights of his mix.

Cole Henry and his mustache struck out 9 batters in 5 innings last night.

They have a 0.41 ERA and 31 Ks over their last 22 IP.@Cole__Henry12 // #NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/APWdUswInN

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) September 18, 2021

However, he did not have an effective pitch in the velocity range between the fastball and sweeper. It looks like that is what he spent his offseason focusing on because Cole Henry has really been leaning on a refined cutter this spring. He has thrown the pitch at least 20% of the time in all of his spring outings so far, and I really like it as a compliment to his other two pitches.

Last year, Henry threw a cutter just under 4% of the time. However, it was not effective and he did not trust the pitch. This year he is throwing it way more and it looks a little bit different. The pitch is 2 MPH harder than it was last while having more of a true cutter shape. He must have found a new grip or something because the shape is completely different to the cutter he was throwing last year.

This change makes Henry a true three pitch guy who can throw any of those offerings at any time. I love this tweak because it makes him much less predictable. Armed with this new cutter, I think Henry has a chance to get save opportunities at some point this season. Clayton Beeter’s stuff may be louder, but his feel for the zone comes and goes. Henry has command issues at times, but has more strike-throwing than Beeter.

I would not be surprised if this tweak was driven by the new front office and coaching staff. Henry actually talked about some of the changes the front office made on the radio yesterday. They had him study his own game using data in a way he had not done before.

Nats reliever Cole Henry gets into the changes with the Nats new regime, getting into the new resources under Paul Toboni and Blake Butera. pic.twitter.com/Rkmp6wYtG3

— 106.7 The Fan (@1067theFan) March 4, 2026

With this new information, Henry must have decided that he needed a pitch between the fastball and the sweeper. I think that is a smart decision that could make Henry a much better pitcher. He was already solid last year, but there is another level for him to reach. Having another healthy offseason under his belt will be helpful as well.

Even before this tweak to his arsenal, Henry was an intriguing reliever. His low arm slot and dynamic fastball shape made him a favorite for some analysts. There is a list I saw that included Henry when discussing underrated relievers heading into the season.

This is a fun idea!

Here are some non-closer relievers I like for 2026:
– Elvis Alvarado, ATH
– Grant Wolfram, BAL
– Jake Bird, NYY
– Erik Sabrowski, CLE
– Carter Baumler, TEX (Rule 5)
– Cole Henry, WSH
– Kade Strowd, AZ https://t.co/t9GYksC4Fh

— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) March 4, 2026

Now with this new change, he could be even better. Henry tossed a 1-2-3 inning against Venezuela last night and has looked very sharp so far this spring. There is a chance that he could open the season as the closer if he keeps this up. Clayton Beeter is probably the favorite for that role, but there is a real shortage of proven options at the back end of the Nats bullpen.

Now heading into his second year and armed with a new weapon, this could be a big year for Cole Henry. I really do think the cutter solves a lot of his biggest problems. The other thing he is going to have to improve is his command. He walked over 13% of hitters last year and had a real problem with hit batters.

I actually think the cutter could help improve that as well. It gives him a pitch he can throw in the zone and get weak contact with. The cutter could also make his fastball and sweeper tougher to prepare for as well. It just gives hitters a whole new look and I love the addition. I think Cole Henry could be in for a big 2026 season.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...-usage-tweak-could-take-cole-henry-next-level

 

[Washington Nationals]

Luis Perales’ Fastball Is In A Tier Of Its Own

TALKING STICK, AZ - OCTOBER 07: Luis Perales #91 of the Salt River Rafters pitches during the game between the Glendale Desert Dogs and the Salt River Rafters at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 in Talking Stick, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Luis Perales made his Nationals Spring Training debut in the 4th inning versus the New York Mets yesterday, recording a scoreless inning with one walk allowed. He allowed 3 hard hit balls, but none found grass, with 2 flyouts and a lineout to center allowed.

During his 24-pitch outing, Perales threw 33% fastballs and 67% cutters, another example of the anti-fastball revolution the Nationals pitching staff has embarked upon under the new regime. Interestingly enough, MLB recorded Perales as throwing 16 cutters during his outing, but others, such as Thomas Nestico of TJStats on X, tracked him as throwing 12 sliders and 4 cutters, with the sliders having just a little more break and a little less velocity. Nevertheless, Perales’ arsenal looked very impressive in the short outing.

Luis Perales made his Nationals debut!

It's no surprise that Washington was interested in Perales from the Red Sox this winter. His fastball sat at 100 MPH with elite ride which pairs with a strong pair of cutters and sliders. There is some relief risk, but the stuff is nasty! pic.twitter.com/ljj3LlPia2

— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) March 5, 2026

While all 3 pitches looked sharp, the one that stands out the most is his 4-seam fastball, which he sat 99.6 MPH with and ran up to 100.5 MPH in his outing. Triple-digit fastballs aren’t exactly rare in today’s game, but what is is the movement he gets on the pitch. Perales’ fastball averaged 18.1 inches of vertical break in his outing yesterday, ranking in the top 60 in that category among all pitchers in the majors. Of pitchers who average at least 99 MPH on their heater, like Perales, only Brewers closer Trevor Megill had more IVB on average with his fastball.

It’s no wonder with the velocity and movement that Perales’ 4-seam has that his stuff+ rating on the pitch was a whopping 124, meaning it is 24% better than the average 4-seam fastball in baseball. Not only that, but according to Thomas Nestico’s stuff+ rankings on fastballs, Perales’ heater would have been the highest rated fastball in the bigs in 2025, eclipsing the aforementioned Megill at 119, Mason Miller at 118, and Ryan Helsley, Chase Burns, and Aroldis Chapman at 117. Pretty good company for your fastball to be in.

The fastball is ridiculously good, but the slider is extremely impressive as well, sitting low 90s with tight spin. It graded out with a 116 stuff+ according to Nestico’s formula, which would’ve ranked in the top 10 in the majors in 2025, just under Mason Miller’s slider and just above Jacob deGrom’s.

There are still issues to iron out for Perales, such as command issues and adding another pitch to his arsenal, but the stuff to be a high-end starter, or an elite reliever at least, is all there. The other key for him will be continued health, as he builds back further and further from his Tommy John Surgery. He will likely start the season in Rochester, where I am excited to see how he progresses throughout the year.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...9266/luis-perales-fastball-in-tier-of-its-own

 

[Washington Nationals]

What to expect from Foster Griffin in his first start with the Washington Nationals

JUPITER, FL - FEBRUARY 12: Foster Griffin #22 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 free agent signing Paul Toboni made was a bit of a mysterious one. He gave LHP Foster Griffin a 1-year $5.5 million deal after three excellent years in Japan. Griffin will get his first opportunity to test himself against big league competition tonight, in an exhibition game against Venezuela.

Foster Griffin was a first round pick for the Royals back in 2014. However, things did not work out for the southpaw in the Royals organization. He did make his way to the big leagues after a long trek through the minors, but never established himself as a regular. Wanting to continue as a starter, Griffin went to Japan following the 2022 season.

In his three years pitching in NPB, Griffin was dominant. He posted a 2.57 ERA in 315.2 innings over in Japan. Griffin had his best season in 2025, posting a 1.52 ERA, but injuries limited him to just 89 innings. When he was healthy, Griffin used his deep pitch mix and command to dominate NPB hitters.

Paul Toboni signs his first Free Agent as the Nationals GM and it comes in the shape of LHP Foster Griffin

A 1 year, $5.5M deal. He is signed out of the NPB, coming over from the Yomiuri Giants

Across 315.2 IP as a SP for Yomiuri he posted a 2.57 ERA & 1.03 WHIP. 318/70 K/BB… pic.twitter.com/TwUg4CgVmB

— Baseball Unstitched (@BaseUnstitched) December 16, 2025

The biggest question mark for Griffin is whether his softer arsenal will translate to the MLB. His fastball averaged just over 90 MPH last season, which is why he could only get a relatively modest one-year deal despite elite production. As a lefty, it is easier to survive with less velocity, but it is a question mark.

Griffin made up for his lack of power with an extremely deep mix of pitches. He threw seven different pitch types last season. Griffin was able to have a different pitch mix against righties and lefties. Against righties, he leaned more on his cutter and changeup to go with the fastball. He also mixed in his sweeper, as well as a splitter and occasional curve. Griffin’s sweeper was his go to secondary against lefties. He also used a sinker to get ground balls. In Japan, Griffin learned to mix up his pitches beautifully.

Former Yomiuri Giants LHP Foster Griffin lands with Washington for one-year, $5.5M.

Great low-risk signing. He’s very much capable of overperforming the contract.

He was a top 5-10 starter in NPB on a per-inning basis in 2025. https://t.co/Kn1I3zHLsW pic.twitter.com/IfASi9RqPO

— Yakyu Cosmopolitan (@yakyucosmo) December 16, 2025

That is what we will see from him tonight against Venezuela. I actually think he will rely even more on his secondary pitches in the MLB. Nats pitchers are moving away from fastballs in general, and Griffin’s deep bag of pitches gives him plenty of non-fastball options. Griffin threw his 4-seamer about 40% of the time in Japan, and I expect that to go down even more in the big leagues.

Like a lot of guys that go to Japan, Griffin really learned to pitch over in the NPB. He talked about his evolution in an interview before he signed. It was pretty cool hearing him talk about his time in Japan. Griffin described it as a second chance at baseball. He also went into detail about some of the new pitches he learned. Like many pitchers who go to Japan, Griffin picked up a splitter. He also found a sweeper grip that worked for him over there.

Foster Griffin, who's been pitching in Japan the last few years, feels like he's gotten a second chance at baseball.

"I feel like I grew so much as a pitcher [in Japan]." pic.twitter.com/nJ1KiwfQrH

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) November 5, 2025

Don’t get it twisted, Foster Griffin is not going to come back to the MLB looking like an ace. However, his new found craftsmanship gives him a chance to be a solid back of the rotation starter. If anything, Griffin will be tough on hitters because they don’t have the book on him yet. Hopefully, Griffin can take advantage of that and get off to a hot start. If that happens, the Nats could potentially move him at the deadline.

Griffin has been held back so far this spring, but he is finally getting a chance to show what he’s got tonight. All we have seen from Griffin is videos from live BP sessions. It is not much to go off of, but he seemed to really befuddle CJ Abrams in the one video we have of him throwing.

Foster Griffin DEALING#Natitude
pic.twitter.com/SPwgiAfb45

— SleeperNationals (@SleeperNats) February 16, 2026

Venezuela will be a major first test for Griffin. They have a lot of star power in their lineup. The Venezuelans feature the likes of Ronald Acuna Jr., Salvador Perez, Eugenio Suarez and Jackson Chourio among others. This lineup is as good as any he will see in the MLB.

I will be watching to see what his pitch mix looks like and if he is able to find a tick or two of velocity. Griffin was asked to go deep into games over in Japan. Maybe, he could tick up to 91-92 if he does not have to conserve himself as much. Every tick matters for pitchers, especially when you don’t have a ton of velocity.

Overall, Griffin is an interesting story and someone I am curious to watch. He is very likely to be in the rotation, so I want to see what the lefty has got. Griffin made a few big league appearances in 2020 and 2022. However, with his new pitches, Griffin is a different guy now. I really do not know what to expect.

Entering the season, Griffin is the wild card of the rotation. There is a chance his stuff does not translate to North America. However, the track record of pitchers who dominate in the NPB coming to the MLB is pretty strong.

While both are soft-tossing lefties, Nats fans should not confuse Griffin for Shinnosuke Ogasawara. Griffin was much more productive in Japan, with far more swing and miss in his game. The Nats will be counting on Griffin to be a solid starter, and it is an intriguing gamble to take. I am excited to see what he has got tonight against a tough lineup.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...ffin-in-first-start-with-washington-nationals

 

[Washington Nationals]

Cade Cavalli should be the Washington Nationals Opening Day starter

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 20: Cade Cavalli #24 of the Washington Nationals poses for a photo during the Washington Nationals Photo Day at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on February 20, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Having seen a couple weeks of Spring Training, it is clear who the Washington Nationals best pitcher is. That would be Cade Cavalli, who is trending towards being Nats Opening Day starter. He dominated in his four innings against the Astros, and looks poised to have a breakout year now that he is finally fully healthy.

The fact a pitcher with 11 career starts is my pick to be the Nats Opening Day starter tells you a lot about where the team is right now. However, it is also a credit to how nasty Cavalli is. His fastball is sitting at 97 MPH and his breaking balls look sharp. The stuff models liked what Cavalli was throwing yesterday.

Cade Cavalli is a pitcher I need to talk about more!

After a myriad of injuries that kept him out effectively since 2022, Cavalli returned strong at the end of the last season and looks even better this Spring! He is sustaining his upper 90s velocity and producing well. pic.twitter.com/DtqoN4kufG

— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) March 6, 2026

One thing this model did not pick up was that Cavalli threw two separate breaking balls. Baseball Savant listed nine of his breaking balls as sweepers. That is a new pitch for Cavalli, who needed to find a way to get right handed hitters out. He held lefties to a .221 average last year, but right handers hit a crazy .381 against him.

Cavalli did not have any pitch that moved away from righties last year, which is why he added the sweeper. Last year, his mix was predictable against right handers and they crushed him. The sweeper was actually the pitch he threw the most against right handed hitters yesterday, tossing it 41% of the time.

According to Grant Paulsen, that is not the only tweak the new regime has made with Cavalli. He is also experimenting with something called a one-seam sinker. It is a different sinker grip that uses seam orientation to get more movement. Teams are learning more about seam effects these days, and the Nats are now a part of that movement. Here is a cool video of an MLB pitcher being taught this one-seam sinker.

Cade Cavalli's stuff is exploding into elite territory. He added a sweeper; calls it a "turbo slurve." One-seam sinker as well. Has added 25 pounds since last year.

Former 1st-rounder using tech like spin axis balls and pulse bands for the first time. Chance for big break out. https://t.co/vcmcW5MSSJ

— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) March 6, 2026

With Cavalli’s raw stuff, if one of these new pitches really catches on, he has front of the rotation upside. The other thing Cavalli will have to do to reach his upside is stay healthy. His Tommy John recovery was turbulent to say the least. He basically missed all of 2023 and 2024 due to the recovery process. Cavalli came back last year and threw 122.2 innings between the majors and the minors.

However, this is the year where he can really be unleashed. Last year was all about showing he still had the stuff that made him a top prospect. Now it is time for him to focus on dominating and leading a young rotation.

If you designed a pitcher in a lab, they would come out with a lot of the traits Cade Cavalli has. He throws very hard, has a feel for spin, can throw a good changeup and has a sturdy 6’4 225 pound frame. While he has not been an innings eater in his career, he just looks like a guy who could throw 200 frames.

Interestingly, Cavalli is on a five day schedule that would line him up to start on Opening Day. With his performance yesterday, where he went four innings without allowing an earned run and struck out 6, there should be no doubt who the Nats Opening Day starter is.

Cade Cavalli's total pitching line so far this spring: 6 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K. Fastball has averaged 97 mph. Still 3 weeks to go, but at this point he's on a 5-day schedule that lines up with Opening Day.

— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) March 6, 2026

He may be inexperienced, but Cade Cavalli is easily the most talented pitcher in the Nats rotation. I still believe he has number two starter upside and can show that this season. His raw stuff is even better than the now departed MacKenzie Gore, and I would not be shocked if Cavalli out produces Gore this year. Cavalli’s combination of velocity, a special curveball and a new look sweeper gives him a high ceiling.

I would project Cavalli to toss about 165 innings this year and post an ERA around 3.60. Given his lack of experience, this is ambitious, but I really think his stuff plays. He is the guy who I think will benefit the most from the new pitching coaches because he has the most raw tools.

Out of anyone on the team, I think I am most excited to see Cavalli. This is a real breakout candidate. While he is already 27 years old, he is still brimming with untapped potential. I think this is the year where we see him put it all together. That breakout year should start on Opening Day at Wrigley Field.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...d-be-washington-nationals-opening-day-starter

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals late additions to the bullpen impressing in camp

BALTIMORE, MD - APRIL 29: Baltimore Orioles pitcher Cionel Pérez (58) throws a pitch during the game between the New York Yankees versus the Baltimore Orioles on April 29, 2025 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, MD.(Photo by Charles Brock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Washington Nationals added two experienced relievers on minor league deals right as camp was starting. Drew Smith and Cionel Perez have been quality big league relievers in the not too distant past, but have seen their stock fall due to injuries in the case of Smith and a dropoff in production for Perez. Now, they will look to bounce back on a team with plenty of bullpen spots up for grabs.

Each have made two scoreless appearances so far, and have looked good. Perez has been particularly sharp. After a rough year, it seems like Perez was in the lab this offseason. His fastball is in the mid to upper 90’s and his breaking ball has looked really sharp. He caught Ronald Acuna Jr. looking on a nasty slurve the other night.

Cionel Perez strikes out Ronald Acuna Jr pic.twitter.com/f1tXPdnTkO

— Kev (@klwoodjr) March 4, 2026

At this point, I would be very surprised if Perez did not make the team. From 2022 to 2024, Perez made at least 60 appearances each season and was a valuable member of the Orioles bullpen. At just 29 years old, there is a decent chance last year was just a blip on the radar.

Perez’s BABIP in 2025 was .391, which is just unsustainably high. The Nats infield might be somewhat problematic for the ground ball heavy lefty, but that batting average on balls in play number is inevitably going to come down. His career BABIP is .303, so I really think last year was a fluke in that regard.

There are some pitchers, like MacKenzie Gore, who run high BABIP numbers because of the quality of contact they allow, but Perez is not like that. His expected batting average number was low at .213 and he does not allow many barrels. Perez’s ERA is inevitably going to come down, just by getting better batted ball luck.

One thing I am more worried about is his control. He has always allowed his fair share of walks, but that number spiked in 2025. His 16.4% walk rate is simply too high. Perez is going to walk people, but he needs to get that number closer to 10%, which is where he was before 2025.

If Perez does become a contributor, I think he will become a bit of a fan favorite. The amount of velocity he gets from a small frame is crazy. He also seems like a big personality. Perez has long flowing hair and can be quite fiery on the mound. He also had a funny tradition of catching home runs with his hat while sitting in the O’s bullpen. I wonder if he will bring that to DC.

Of course, Cionel Pérez caught Ramón Urías’ game-tying homer.
pic.twitter.com/ieeVoa6MAR

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) August 26, 2024

The situation for Drew Smith is a bit less straightforward in my opinion. He has thrown the ball well so far, but I do not think he is a lock to make the team out of camp. I certainly think we will see him at some point, but I think he could benefit from some time in AAA.

Smith had not pitched since June of 2024 before this spring. He underwent Tommy John Surgery, the second one of his career. Coming back from a second TJ can be quite dicey. I would not be surprised to see the Nats give Smith some time to acclimate before throwing him in the big leagues.

The 32 year old was an effective reliever for the Mets from 2021 until his injury in 2024. He has missed a lot of time though, which is why he had to settle for a minor league deal. Smith is a strikeout artist who can really spin the ball though.

He has tossed two scoreless innings this spring, but his velocity has been down a tick. However, his fastball has always relied more on its shape than the pure velocity. The shape has been solid. He has been leaning heavily on his slider. The velocity of that pitch is down over 3 MPH, so I wonder if this is a different type of slider than what he was throwing before.

Non-roster invitee Drew Smith #Nationals made a favorable first impression, retiring the side and recording a strikeout during the bottom of the third. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) with one whiff. #sleeperalert pic.twitter.com/OXhQPXvPV5

— Closer Monkey (@CloserMonkey) March 3, 2026

Before picking up Smith and Perez, the Nats bullpen was painfully short on experience. These guys are not sure things, but they have been there and done that before. That is more than you can say for most of the other guys in the Nats ‘pen. They should also be very hungry to prove themselves.

If Spring Training is any indicator, these could be shrewd additions for Paul Toboni. You just never know with relievers though. At this time last year, I was hyping up Lucas Sims and Colin Poche, and we all know how that turned out. Hopefully these guys prove to be better than that, and help the Nats bullpen improve after they were the worst unit in baseball last year.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...e-additions-to-the-bullpen-impressing-in-camp

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals sign Zack Littell in a surprising late addition

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 01: Zack Littell #52 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of game two of National League Wild Card Series at Dodger Stadium on October 01, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It seemed like the Nationals were done making offseason signings, but Paul Toboni had one last trick up his sleeve. The Nats have reportedly signed veteran Zack Littell to a one-year deal. This is the biggest addition to the Nats rotation, as Littell has proven to be a reliable middle of the rotation innings eater over the past couple years.

RHP Zack Littell and the Washington Nationals are in agreement on a contact, sources tell me and @JeffPassan.

Littell threw 186.2 innings last season with a 3.81 ERA for the Rays and Reds.

— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) March 8, 2026

This signing really came out of the blue and is a pleasant surprise. Last season, Littell posted a 3.81 ERA in 186.2 innings with the Rays and the Reds. He is not flashy, but Littell has posted a 3.73 ERA in 61 starts over the last two seasons. That is better production than the Nats have gotten from MacKenzie Gore.

Littell has a deep mix, which the Nationals have targeted this offseason. He is also one of the best control artists in the league. Last season, Littell only walked 4.2% of hitters, which ranked in the 98th percentile. He does this by both pounding the zone and generating chase when he throws it out of the zone. That is a strong combination.

Zack Littell is pretty interesting.
He doesn't walk people. Since the start of last season, he's tied with Tarik Skubal for the lowest walk rate (4.5%) among qualified pitchers.

And the righty does something else incredibly well that might be under appreciated: He generates…

— Travis Sawchik (@Travis_Sawchik) February 7, 2026

I am surprised it took the 30 year old so long to find a home. He has been really productive and reliable. Teams must have preferred guys with bigger stuff instead. That is their loss because I think Littell is a great addition to the rotation.

He also could prove to be a strong trade chip. Littell made a playoff start last year and has experience in the bullpen, so he could transition to that easily. The biggest weakness Littell has is a propensity to allow the long ball. He gave up 36 homers last year, but still managed to be effective.

From ‘24-‘25, Zack Littell has a 3.73 ERA over 343 IP…could be the Nats best arm by June. pic.twitter.com/ELsZuIgJlQ

— Sam Fosberg (@discussbaseball) March 8, 2026

Littell signed very late, so ramping him up could be a challenge. Hopefully he will be ready to go by Opening Day, but we will see how that plays out. If he picks up where he left off, Littell will be the Nats number two starter behind Cade Cavalli.

I thought the Nats rotation needed another proven arm, but I had given up on the idea. Paul Toboni made it happen and I think this is a great move. The financials of the deal are not out yet, but it is a one-year deal with a mutual option for a second season. I am excited for Littell to eat innings for breakfast this season in DC.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...ls-sign-zack-littell-surprising-late-addition

 

[Washington Nationals]

The Washington Nationals pitching staff could surprise people in 2026

WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 07: Washington Nationals pitcher Josiah Gray (40) throws the ball from the mound during a MLB spring training game against the New York Yankees at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 7, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Washington Nationals have made sweeping changes in the last year. After nearly two decades with the organization, Mike Rizzo was let go in July and the Nationals decided to go in a new direction. That new direction led by Paul Toboni aims to be on the cutting edge, which is a stark contrast to the old school nature of the previous regime.

Fans and people like myself have been speculating all offseason about who will benefit the most from these changes. After a couple weeks of Spring Training, I think the pitching staff will be the biggest beneficiaries in the short term. The hitting development could be a longer term process.

This makes sense because it is easier to make changes as a pitcher. With all the technology out there, it is easy to learn a new pitch or make a mechanical tweak. Those minor changes can transform a pitcher overnight. For example, Cade Cavalli has already added multiple new pitches and looks better against right handed hitters so far. It is tougher for a hitter to make those overnight changes.

Cade Cavalli's stuff is exploding into elite territory. He added a sweeper; calls it a "turbo slurve." One-seam sinker as well. Has added 25 pounds since last year.

Former 1st-rounder using tech like spin axis balls and pulse bands for the first time. Chance for big break out. https://t.co/vcmcW5MSSJ

— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) March 6, 2026

The Nats are going to need to see these changes produce quick results because the pitching staff was a disaster in 2025. Their 5.35 staff ERA was the second worst in baseball, only behind the Rockies. The Nats also traded away their de facto ace MacKenzie Gore this offseason. Despite that, I think the Nats will see major improvements.

One of the big reasons for that is an overhaul in pitch usage. The Nats have made it clear this spring that they will be cutting fastball usage. In Spring Training, the Nats are throwing fewer fastballs than just about anyone. This comes after a season where the Nats were near the top of the league in fastball usage.

Lowest combined four-seam and sinker usage through the first couple games of Spring Training…

1. Red Sox: 39.1% (duh)
2. Marlins: 41.1% (duh)
3. Nationals: 43.3% (YES!)

The Nationals led all of MLB last year with 55.3% fastball usage. Toboni is cookin'.

— Lance Brozdowski (@LanceBroz) February 24, 2026

I think this change will pay off in a big way. Nats pitchers were simply throwing their fastballs way too much. It would be understandable if the Nats pitching staff was full of guys with elite heaters, but that was not the case. A lot of Nats pitchers with mediocre fastballs were throwing the pitch at a very high rate.

That led to a lot of loud contact and inflated ERA’s. This spring Nats pitchers have held hitters to a .175 average and have 132 strikeouts in 123 innings. Obviously, that is not sustainable, but I do think Nats pitchers are not giving in as much. One side effect of this is an inflated walk rate, which I think could be an issue for the Nats. However, I think the benefits of this new approach will outweigh the potential downsides.

Nats pitchers have been raving about the new technology and the work that new pitching coach Simon Mathews has put in. In their interviews, Nationals pitchers have been wide-eyed talking about things like horizontal movement or seam shift effects. It is a very different tune from previous years.

Nats reliever Cole Henry gets into the changes with the Nats new regime, getting into the new resources under Paul Toboni and Blake Butera. pic.twitter.com/Rkmp6wYtG3

— 106.7 The Fan (@1067theFan) March 4, 2026

I am not going to sit here and say the Nats will have an elite, or even average pitching staff. They do not have that kind of talent yet. However, I would be stunned if they are as bad as last year. The Nats should not have a team ERA that starts with a 5 in 2026.

The improvement is going to come from a new approach rather than flashy new signings. I think guys like Cade Cavalli, Cole Henry and Orlando Ribalta are ready to step up and take on bigger roles. All of these guys throw hard, but their success will come from their secondary pitches, not their power fastballs.

We may see bumps along the way, but I am bought into the Nationals new forward thinking vision. There should be some improvements across the board, but the pitchers will find better results faster. There is a lot of low hanging fruit for the new development team on the pitching side. A few easy changes could help a lot of these Nationals arms. I cannot wait to see their plan come together. While the Nats probably won’t be a good team, I think we will see a lot of developmental wins this season.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...nationals-pitching-staff-surprise-people-2026