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[Washington Nationals]

Nationals Prospects: An update from the farm

Jim Rassol, Jim Rassol / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Looking at the news and notable happenings from the Minor Leagues

We have focused a lot on the big club lately, so I wanted to give an update on the rest of the organization. While the games have only started in Triple-A, the rosters have come out for the other levels. I wanted to go through some of them and talk about the notable names on each.

Low-A Fredericksburg:

It's here!

Take a look at the FredNats' 2025 Opening Day Roster!

See them for the first time at Virginia Credit Union Stadium on Tuesday, April 8th.

Get your seats now at https://t.co/0i2VvNLSqI! pic.twitter.com/w1GfRpCN0E

— Fredericksburg Nationals (@FXBGNats) March 31, 2025​

Last year, Low-A Fredericksburg had one of the most stacked teams in the organization, with a ton of meaningful prospects. They had guys like Travis Sykora, Jarlin Susana, Alex Clemmey, Seaver King and Caleb Lomavita pass through.

This year they aren’t as stacked, at least for now, but they do have a couple interesting names. The most notable one is Federal Baseball’s number 9 Nats prospect Kevin Bazzell. I am kind of surprised he is not in High-A, given the fact he outperformed Caleb Lomavita last year in pro ball. He is more advanced than Lomavita from what I have seen.

One interesting non-inclusion is Luke Dickerson. The Nats second round pick from last year signed for $3.8 million. However, it looks like the Nats have decided he is not ready for pro ball just yet. He will be at extended Spring Training. Dickerson should be be in Fredericksburg sometime relatively soon.

High-A Wilmington:

Announcing our Opening Day Roster

Come see our squad in days at Frawley!

pic.twitter.com/UoEQsz4gui

— Wilmington Blue Rocks (@WilmBlueRocks) March 31, 2025​

Wilmington is the place to be if you want to see exciting Nationals prospects. A number of the guys from that great Fredericksburg team will be up in High-A. The Nationals top two draft picks Seaver King and Caleb Lomavita will both be there. One thing to note is that historically, the Blue Rocks home ball park has been very pitcher friendly, so don’t freak out too much if they don’t put up the best numbers to start.

Despite a couple rough years, Elijah Green is also getting the call to High-A. It seems like it is sink or swim time for the former top five pick.

On the pitching side, Alex Clemmey is the star of the show. Clemmey really impressed me in the Spring Breakout game, showing off a much more controlled delivery. His breaking stuff also looked filthy. Another interesting name here is Jackson Kent. He was the Nats fourth round pick last year. Seeing him skip Low-A shows that the Nats believe in him. Once he gets back from injury, we should see Travis Sykora here at some point as well.

Double-A Harrisburg:

For some reason, Harrisburg did not tweet out their roster, but the link to it is here. The biggest names are Jarlin Susana, Daylen Lile, Cayden Wallace, and Yohandy Morales.

Susana is the one I am most excited to monitor. He is one of the most electric pitching prospects in all of baseball when he is on his game. Susana can sit at 100 MPH and has a wipeout slider to go with it.

For the hitters, it is time for them to truly break out. All three of them have shown flashes, but none have made the leap towards becoming a true top 100 prospect. Can any of these guys show that they can be more than serviceable big leaguers one day? I want to see one of those hitters take a leap.

An update on Triple-A Rochester:

The Rochester Red Wings have already started their season. They are 2-2 at the moment and are actually playing right now. Robert Hassell III and Brady House are the two stars down their, with both knocking at the big league door.

House has been off to a flying start. He is hitting .350 so far and hit a home run earlier this afternoon.

HOUSE WITH A HOMER! pic.twitter.com/2ujbYfD4vC

— Rochester Red Wings (@RocRedWings) April 3, 2025​

We probably won’t see House until midseason at the earliest, but it is great to see him off to a fast start after a rough introduction to AAA last year.

The Nationals first ever Japanese import Shinnosuke Ogasawara is also down there and he pitched well in his debut. After a rough spring training, Ogasawara went six innings of one run ball in his Rochester debut.

Following the Minor League teams should be a fun ride this season. While a lot of the Nats young stars are in the big leagues now, they still have plenty of talent on the farm.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/2025/4/3/24400678/nationals-prospects-update-from-the-farm

 

[Washington Nationals]

Keibert Ruiz is a bright spot in struggling Nationals offense

John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

This is a big year for Keibert Ruiz and he knows it. The Nationals catcher is red hot to start the season

The Washington Nationals offense has been slumping to start the season. They have been striking out far too much and have struggles with runners in scoring position. Guys like Dylan Crews, Josh Bell, Jacob Young, and Luis Garcia Jr. have stumbled out of the gates, combining for just five hits. However, one guy who is not slumping is Keibert Ruiz, who is looking to bounce back from a brutal 2024.

Prove it Year:

2025 is a crossroads in the year in Keibert Ruiz’s career. In the offseason, I wrote about how the organization has put a lot of trust in Ruiz, and that it is time for him to live up to his end of the bargain. So far he has done just that.

Before the 2023 season, the Nats made the bold move of extending Keibert on an 8-year extension that guaranteed the catcher $50 million dollars. Ruiz was coming off a solid, but not spectacular first full season in the big leagues after coming over in the Max Scherzer/Trea Turner trade. It was a big move that showed the Nats hierarchy was all in on Ruiz.

The last couple of years have been up and down to say the least. In 2023, Keibert was solid with the bat, putting up a .717 OPS with 18 homers. However, he was a train wreck defensively, grading out as the worst defensive catcher in baseball.

In 2024, his bat fell off a cliff, putting up a paltry .619 OPS. However, he was passable behind the plate defensively, even if he was not great. A big storyline in 2024 was Ruiz’s early season illness that saw him lose 20 pounds.

Rushing him back from the illness could explain some of the drop in offensive production. However, there is more to it than just that. If the illness hampered him so much, how did he make strides defensively? I think the bigger problem was Ruiz’s approach and plate discipline. He was chasing too much and making far too much weak contact.

Positive Signs in 2025:

Ruiz has gotten off to a great start in 2025. He is hitting .381 with a 1.149 OPS. The Nationals catcher has gotten a hit in every game this season, and has a 10 game hitting streak dating back to last season. He is just 46 games away from tying Joe DiMaggio!

Keibert has also shown off the power stroke, hitting two home runs so far this season. The quality of his at bats are also just much better. He is taking more pitches and finding his pitch to hit, rather than just swinging for the sake of it. Ruiz has the bat to ball skills to hit with two strikes and be patient, so it is cool to see him lay off the junk.

He also looks more athletic, both at the plate and in the field. One metric that quantifies this is his pop time on stolen base attempts. Last year his pop time was 2.06 seconds on average, which is substantially slower than the average catcher. This year it has been a much better 1.91 seconds. You are seeing the results of this, with Keibert catching two of four base stealers so far.

It is a small sample size, but it is something I have noticed while watching the games. I have never been impressed with Keibert’s ability to control the running game before this season. However, he looks much quicker out of the crouch so far. On the broadcast, MASN mentioned that Ruiz hired a personal chef, so maybe a better diet is helping him trim off the fat.

Moving Forward:

Of course, this is still a tiny sample size, so this could just be a mirage. However, it would be a big plus for the Nats if Keibert can truly establish himself as an average to above average starting catcher. He has always had the bat to ball skills, he just hasn’t put it all together on either side of the ball yet.

I am still not totally all in yet because we have seen good stretches from Keibert before, especially at the plate. Those tend to be interrupted by extended periods where Ruiz is constantly rolling over ground balls to the second baseman early in the count. We need to see sustained success, but Keibert Ruiz has come into the year with the right mindset and it is showing on the field so far.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/202...z-bright-spot-in-struggling-nationals-offense

 

[Washington Nationals]

Three takeaways from another Nationals loss

Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

Some thoughts following yet another Washington Nationals loss

As Alex Ovechkin tied Wayne Gretzky’s all time goal record, the Washington Nationals lost their fourth straight game to fall to 1-6. Here are some of my takeaways from a split screen night in Washington, DC.

1. The Bats are Powerful

Despite the loss, my biggest takeaway was how powerful the Nats bats have been. The only way they can score runs right now is via the long ball. Tonight, CJ Abrams, Luis Garcia Jr. and Nathaniel Lowe went deep.

PROPHECY FULFILLED: Lowe to the W A L L pic.twitter.com/fj4ly7VKiJ

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 5, 2025​

Last year, the Nationals were second to last in home runs, having to grind out multiple hits at a time to get runs. However, this year the power is on full display, there just isn’t much else. They have been striking out a lot and the results with runners in scoring position have not been pretty.

If the situational hitting can catch up to the power, the Nats offense might be cooking with gas. However, it has been home run or bust so far this season.

2. The Bullpen is Still a Problem

The Washington Nationals bullpen has not been as laughably awful as they were in the first couple games. However, it is still not great. Tonight, Jose A. Ferrer could not get the job done. While he got hard done by on a missed call and Dylan Crews took a bad route to the ball, Ferrer still could not keep the game tied. He gave up a two run double to Randal Grichuk that ended up deciding the game.

Colin Poche also looks to be a problem. He just has not been not been sharp in any of his appearances. Poche’s command has not been on point, even throwing a pitch to the to the backstop.

On the bright side, Lucas Sims looked better today. It would be very nice if he could turn himself into a reliable middle reliever for Davey Martinez.

3. They Need Wins and Fast

The Nationals are now 1-6 and need to get going in a hurry. You can’t call the seventh game of the season a must win, but it pretty close. Corbin Burnes is pitching on Sunday and the Dodgers come to town to start next week. So if they don’t win tomorrow, 1-11 could be on the table.

If that happens, the entire mood around the team could get ugly quickly. This was meant to be a step forward season, but they still look like the same old Nats that have lost so many games in recent years. As Alex Ovechkin takes up all the headlines in DC, the Nationals are off to a slow start yet again.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/2025/4/4/24401544/three-takeaways-from-nationals-loss

 

[Washington Nationals]

Free Agents Washington Nationals Should Target After Rough Start to the Season

Washington reliever Colin Poche throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondback. | Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

After 1-6 start to the season, Washington could improve their roster through free agency.

A Struggling Start to the Season​

After an abysmal 1-6 start, fans are kept wondering when the losing will end in the nation’s capital. With higher expectations heading into the season, this young, talented roster has shown a glimpse of what they could be in the future. Fortunately, it’s early in the season and the disappointment could turn into excitement in an instant with the right moves.

This early in the season is too early to write players off and deem acquisitions “bad”. However, Washington could look for available options to improve their roster.

Here are three current free agents the Washington Nationals could sign to improve off their horrendous start to the season.

1. RHP David Robertson​

2024 Stats:

• 3.00 ERA
• 68 Games
• 132 ERA+
• 1.9 WAR

Robertson, one of the oldest remaining free agents, is soon to be 40 years old. Robertson has been in the MLB since 2008, enjoying a long, successful career. While a part of the Texas Rangers in 2024, Robertson was relied upon heavily, being used in 68 games.

Orlando Ribalta, Jose Ferrer, and Colin Poche have been relied on the most out of the bullpen by Washington so far, resulting in a 7.71 ERA, 7.71 ERA, and an astounding 32.40 ERA. A fresh, new face could serve this bullpen greatly.

Robertson could fill a high-leverage role for Washington and, if Washington continues to struggle, become a trade asset moving forward.

2. DH J.D. Martinez​

2024 Stats:

• 120 Games
• .235/.320/.406
• 16 HR
• 24 2B
• 0.6 WAR

Martinez is just two years removed from being named to his sixth All-Star game. The 37-year-old has been a very productive journeyman his entire career and could make an immediate impact in Washington.

Josh Bell was brought in to fill the Designated Hitter role, but starting the season with a .115 batting average is making fans question if he can fill that role the entire season.

The former Silver Slugger could provide much-needed offense, as parts of the lineup have struggled and like Robertson, may be used as trade assets if Washington’s struggles continue.

3. RHP Adam Ottavino​

2024 Stats:

• 4.34 ERA
• 60 Games
• 11 SO/9
• 0.5 WAR

Ottavino has two appearances in 2025 with the New York Yankees. With the return of Devin Williams, New York DFA’ed Ottavino and he could be a big addition to Washington’s bullpen.

In two appearances this season, Ottavino pitched a clean 1.1 innings with two strikeouts and no runs given up.

This would be a stellar pickup for the same reasons as David Robertson: Good arms that can give a team productive innings. Even at 39, Ottavino has a career 3.48 ERA and can still contribute to a bullpen in 2025.

What do the Nationals have to lose?​

These free agents have two things in common: Experience and winning. Robertson and Martinez are former World Series Champions, knowing what it takes to be successful in the MLB. Washington is a very young, raw team that could benefit from having experienced veterans.

Washington has nothing to lose at this point. After struggling for the past five years, Washington needs to improve their roster in some capacity, whether through the free agent market, scanning the trade block, or looking towards the future with young prospects. Fans are growing tired and worried about the disappointing losses. With loads of young talent, Washington hopes players will pick up their production and still have productive seasons, but these free agents could help the team move forward.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/2025/4/5/24401800/free-agents-washington-nationals-should-target

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals vs Arizona Diamondbacks Game Thread

Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

The Nationals look to snap their four game losing streak as the take on the Snakes this afternoon

You can’t call the eighth game of an 162 game season a must win, but today is a must win by 8th game of the season standards. Follow along down in the comments for this big time tilt with the D-Backs.

Davey Martinez is making some alterations to his lineup, something he has done every game of the season so far. Amed Rosario will hit second and play second base with a left handed arm on the mound. The struggling Jacob Young will also get a day off. Mitchell Parker will take the mound for the Nats after a stellar first start.

EIGHT. pic.twitter.com/p6QTdsSXaA

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 5, 2025​

The D-Backs will be without the services of their star second baseman Ketel Marte, who will be on the IL after suffering a hamstring injury. In his place, Tim Tawa will make his MLB debut. Eduardo Rodriguez will take the mound.

Our Saturday starters.https://t.co/k9Xjx1ui6d pic.twitter.com/SZOYdVjHZd

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) April 5, 2025​

Game Info:

Stadium: Nationals Park

Time: 4:05 EST

TV: MASN 2

Radio: 106.7 The Fan and DC 87.7

The Nats need to stop the bleeding and get back into the win column. A Curly W is in massive demand and lets hope the boys can deliver!

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/202...nationals-vs-arizona-diamondbacks-game-thread

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals vs Arizona Diamondbacks Game Thread

Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

The Nationals look for their first series win as they meet with the Snakes in a rubber match

While many eyes will be focused on Alex Ovechkin, the Nats take on the D-Backs in a rubber match. After the Snakes took game one, the Nats evened the series with a 4-3 win. To secure the series, Davey Martinez is putting out his ninth different lineup in nine games.

Jacob Young will get another day off to work on his hitting mechanics. Luis Garcia Jr. will be back in the lineup with a righty on the mound. Trevor Williams will take the ball for his second start.

n i n e. pic.twitter.com/nwlXGPuy3A

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 6, 2025​

The D-Backs are still without the services of All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte, who is on the IL with a hamstring injury he suffered in game one of the series. Corbin Burnes, the D-Backs big money ace will be on the mound.

One more from the road.https://t.co/k9Xjx1ui6d pic.twitter.com/Y55Nhv5L0U

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) April 6, 2025​

Game Info:

Stadium: Nationals Park

Time: 1:35 EST

TV: MASN 2

Radio: 106.7 The Fan and DC 87.7

Comment down below as the Nats look to get a much needed series win. It will be tough with Burnes on the mound, but the Nationals need a win with the Dodgers coming. Let’s go Nats!!

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/202...on-nationals-arizona-diamondbacks-game-thread

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals take the series in a stressful win

Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

The Nationals won a second straight game in very stressful fashion

It was a special day for DC sports, the Washington Nationals won a series! All joking aside, before this recap, I just wanted to shoutout Alex Ovechkin for breaking the all time NHL goals record. He is the greatest athlete DC has ever seen.

As for these Nationals, it is never easy, but they got the job done today, defeating the Diamondbacks 5-4. This is the first series win for the Nats, and they needed it in a big way. The Nats put together a lot of good at bats today and knocked Corbin Burnes around.

In my keys to the game, I wrote that the Nationals had to make Corbin Burnes work. They did just that today. Nationals hitters were battling all day long and it made the Snakes aces life difficult.

Nobody better exemplifies this approach than Alex Call. He is the definition of a grinder at the plate. Call consistently has good at bats and takes his walks. He is now 6/11 to start the season, continuing his good run last year. Davey Martinez needs to find a way to keep Alex Call’s bat in the lineup. I know they want to get Jacob Young back out there, but Call can’t be the one he is replacing. If Young continues to struggle at the plate, Call could just take his job and move Dylan Crews to center field.

It was not just Call having good at bats though. They were moving runners over and doing the little things well all day. CJ Abrams had two sacrifices on the day, exemplifying that.

The bottom of the order also went off. Call obviously had a big day, but Paul DeJong and Dylan Crews also had two hits. Crews has been showing signs of life at the plate which is very encouraging for the Nats, who have a lot riding on the success of this young outfielder.

The Nats did not hit any homers, but did damage on extra base hits. Paul DeJong hit two doubles and Nathaniel Lowe hit an RBI double in the bottom of the first to set the tone.

Trevor Williams battled his way through five innings, but that left four to the bullpen, which has not been inspiring any confidence. It was not exactly stress free, but the bullpen did their job today,

The first inning was nice and stress free. Lucas Sims, who struggles massively against the Phillies looked very sharp today. He completed 1.1 innings, only allowing one baserunner. However, after he left, Jose A Ferrer put another baserunner on. With runners on second and third with two down on a full count, Ferrer got a massive strikeout, fanning Randal Grichuk to end the seventh.

Things were dicey in the eighth for Jorge Lopez as well. After allowing a base hit to open the inning, he got two outs. However, Alek Thomas hit a triple to make it a 5-4 game. With two outs and the tying runner on third, Lopez came in clutch, getting a groundout and ending the inning.

As is the case in most Kyle Finnegan outings, he was walking the tight rope. Corbin Carroll got a one out double, which made the rest of the inning stress inducing. After a groundout moved him to third with two outs, it became even more stressful. As if the stress couldn’t get any worse, Finnegan went to a full count with Randal Grichuk. He got the groundout, but CJ Abrams throw was wide. However, Nathaniel Lowe just managed to stay on the bag to give the Nats a 5-4 win.

The bullpen did its job, I guess. However, I think this unit might send me to an early grave. There are no shutdown guys in the ‘pen at all. It is full of guys who walk the tight rope.

However, I am happy to get the series win. The Nats are now 3-6 with the Dodgers coming to town. The Dodgers are an intimidating team, but now the Nats are going into the series with confidence. After the Dodgers the schedule really lightens up and hopefully the Nats can go on a run. Let’s enjoy this Curly W and series win!

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/2025/4/6/24402585/washington-nationals-take-series-in-stressful-win

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals have a tough Call to make in the outfield

John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Alex Call’s hot bat is making him tough to keep out of the lineup, but who’s playing time should he take?

Alex Call has been one of the stories of the Washington Nationals season so far. The dude has done nothing but rake. He was raking last year before he got hurt, he was raking during Spring Training, and now he is raking to start the season.

Call is 6/11 with three walks to start his 2025 campaign. This is after he put up a .950 OPS in a small sample size last year. Right now, it is tough to keep Call out of the lineup. However, the Nats have three younger outfielders who are theoretically supposed to be ahead of him. All three have had underwhelming starts, with Jacob Young and Dylan Crews being particularly quiet.

The Nationals seemed all in on the idea of having James Wood, Jacob Young, and Dylan Crews as their outfield for this year and years to come. However, Call is making things awkward with his hitting.

For me Jacob Young is the likely odd man out. The Nats sat him each of the last two games and won both. Dylan Crews moved to his natural centerfield position while Call took over in right. I really liked the look of that alignment. Jacob Young is a tremendous defender, but he is a very limited hitter.

Last year, he hit a respectable .256, but it came with zero power, leading to a .647 OPS. This year Young has gotten off to a 1/15 start, which is why Davey pulled him from the lineup. If Young is not hitting for a decent average, he is just unplayable on offense. He is a great defender, but if you can’t hit, you can’t play.

Davey Martinez’s reasoning for leaving Young out of the lineup back to back days was to help him find his mechanics at the plate. Martinez said that Young was not seeing the ball away from him and also not catching up to inside pitches. That is not a great combination if you ask me.

Davey said that Young was his center fielder going forward, but I wonder how long that lasts if his bat doesn’t heat up. Dylan Crews has been showing signs of life at the plate over the last few days, so sending him down to the minors feels less likely. Crews also looks more comfortable in his natural center field position as well. He is not the defender Young is, but he is still very good out there.

Alex Call has been a spark plug that has led to Nationals victories. I don’t think you can take him out of the lineup for Young or Crews. Maybe there can be a rotation of Young, Crews, and Call.

Another idea would be to put Call or James Wood at DH to get all four in the lineup some days. Josh Bell has not exactly been lighting the world on fire at the moment. I don’t know how this is going to play out, but Alex Call needs to be in the lineup on a regular basis. Davey Martinez is going to have to find a way to be creative because Call is a pure hitter, which the Nats need. The Washington Nationals have to make a tough call with their outfield.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/2025/4/7/24403121/washington-nationals-have-tough-call-in-outfield

 

[Washington Nationals]

James Wood and Kyle Finnegan power Nationals past the mighty Dodgers

Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

The upstart Nationals took game one against the billion dollar Dodgers

In game on of the Nationals vs Dodgers series, David won. The Nats took home a 6-4 win against the billion dollar Dodgers. It was a gritty performance, with a lot of different heroes.

As MacKenzie Gore took the mound, he understood the challenge ahead of him. In the end our young left handed ace delivered, going 6 innings of two run ball striking out seven. The only guy in the Dodgers lineup to give him trouble was the king of kings himself, Shohei Ohtani.

Like they did with Corbin Burnes, the Nationals made Dustin May work very hard early in the game. They drew two walks in an ultimately scoreless first before they broke through in the second.

The Nats took advantage of some uncharacteristically poor Dodgers defense to take an early two run lead. LA made two error in the inning, but I think the scorers should change the error call to a hit on the Dylan Crews play. Crews hit a rocket to Mookie Betts that was not an easy play by any means.

However, in the top of the third, the Dodgers flexed their muscles. After MacKenzie Gore got two quick outs, he gave up a bloop hit to the 9 hitter. Then he threw a meatball to Shohei Ohtani. That went about as well as you would expect and the game was tied.

However, there was no quit in this Nats team. They put together a solid inning capped off by a Nathaniel Lowe RBI base hit.

After that, both pitchers settled in and really impressed. Dustin May was getting a ton of quick outs, while MacKenzie Gore was doing his thing out there. It was a tenuous 3-2 lead for the Nats.

The Nats needed to get some insurance and they did just that in the seventh. Amed Rosario got a big time pinch hit knock to start the inning. Two batters later, leadoff man James Wood hit one of his signature opposite field homers to make it a 5-2 ballgame.

James Wood has some ridiculous opposite-field power pic.twitter.com/l4krsrsla3

— MLB (@MLB) April 8, 2025​

Alex Call continued the rally with a double in what was a fantastic at bat. Luis Garcia Jr. singled, but Call got thrown out at home. However, Keibert Ruiz saved the day with a two out double to make it 6-2.

If you thought the Dodgers would go down without a fight in the eighth, you would be sorely mistaken. After a couple solid outings in a row, the Dodgers got to Lucas Sims, taking advantage of a leadoff walk.

With Sims only able to get one out, Davey Martinez turned to Kyle Finnegan to get the five out save despite this being his third straight day of work. Finnegan put together a truly heroic performance to get that 5 out save.

It was not easy and the Dodgers got close, but KF got the job done. After escaping the eighth, he gave up a leadoff double to Max Muncy in the 9th. After getting two outs, he wisely pitched around Ohtani to get to Mookie Betts. Finnegan got a huge ground ball to get the win over the mighty Dodgers.

THE @NATIONALS CLOSE OUT THE WIN! ️

(MLB x @CoronaUSA) pic.twitter.com/TQ2zUsNByK

— MLB (@MLB) April 8, 2025​

This was a super gutsy win by the Nats and the best they have looked all season. I had a ton of fun watching this game. Let’s hope there are plenty of games like this and some less stressful ones as well!

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/202...od-kyle-finnegan-power-nationals-past-dodgers

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals vs Los Angeles Dodgers Game Thread

James Woods hits a two run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 6-4 victory. | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

The Washington Nationals (4-6) want to take down the Los Angeles Dodgers (9-3) at home for a potential series win.

After a rough 1-6 start to the season, Washington has played much better rattling off three wins in a row, and will look for their fourth against the almighty Los Angeles Dodgers.

Despite Shohei Ohtani’s dominant offensive performance, MacKenzie Gore pitched well and prevailed Washington to a 6-4 victory over the World Series favorites.

Washington is coming off an impressive series win against the Arizona Diamondbacks and could do the same against an even more impressive team.

Nationals Lineup:​

24-year-old rookie Brad Lord will be on the mound, earning his first career MLB start. Lord has made three appearances out of the bullpen this season, posting a 4.50 ERA in two innings of work.

No C.J. Abrams in lineup once again as Paul DeJong is getting back-to-back starts at shortstop. Alex Call will lead off, moving James Wood to the two-slot in the lineup. Wood serves as the designated hitter today, giving Washington a great defensive unit in the outfield today.

ELEVEN. pic.twitter.com/1C9YFNaKgv

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 8, 2025​

Dodgers Lineup:​

On the opposing mound is Justin Wrobleski, a 24-year-old making his 2025 season debut. Wrobleski started six games for Los Angeles in 2024, finishing the season with a 5.70 ERA in eight appearances.

The reigning National League MVP leads off a loaded Dodgers lineup. An off day for Will Smith means Austin Barnes will be in the lineup batting ninth. One of the best lineups in baseball is missing two key contributors today in Freddie Freeman and Will Smith, however this lineup still has great bats littered from top to bottom.

Today's #Dodgers lineup at Nationals: pic.twitter.com/ugasYLwrja

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 8, 2025​

Game Info:​

Stadium: Nationals Park - Washington, D.C.

Time: 6:45 ET

TV: MASN

Radio: 106.7 The Fan, DC 87.7

Washington has had recent success, looking for their fourth win in a row against the reigning World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Follow along with the comments and as always, GO NATS!

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/202...-nationals-vs-los-angeles-dodgers-game-thread

 

[Washington Nationals]

Should James Wood be Washington Nationals leadoff hitter?

Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images

With CJ Abrams out of the lineup, James Wood hit leadoff and I liked what I saw

At first when I saw James Wood in the leadoff spot for the Washington Nationals I was confused. However, the more I thought about it, the more it makes sense. James Wood really does fit the mold of a modern leadoff hitter.

Back in 2021, Davey Martinez made a bold move that became one of his greatest moves. He moved Kyle Schwarber to the leadoff spot. Kyle Schwarber is not your prototypical leadoff man. He is the embodiment of a slugger. However, there was one thing he did well that made him a good leadoff man. He saw a lot of pitches.

That is something that James Wood does as well. Wood has a very patient approach that can even be too passive at times. He waits for his pitch and does not chase often. That is what the best leadoff hitters do.

However, our current leadoff hitter CJ Abrams chases a lot. It is probably the biggest weakness in his game. Abrams looks like a prototypical leadoff man, with a thin build and fantastic speed. However, his approach is not a leadoff man’s approach.

Over the last couple years, Abrams has really leaned into being more of a power hitter. He is looking to drive the ball rather than take his base hits. Honestly, it would be fun to see CJ in the 3 or 4 hole. That way he can lean into that power even more and just do his thing.

Abrams is never going to be a super patient hitter, nor should he, it is not his game. If he tried to be like Juan Soto, he would be taking a lot of pitches he could drive. However, I really think CJ has 30 homer upside and we could see that in the middle of a lineup.

James Wood had a great game last night, with a home run and a walk. I really think him leading off had something to do with that. The quality of his at bats were excellent and he wasn’t trying to do too much. Wood is at his best when he isn’t trying to hit for power. However, he has so much pop that he can still hit a lot of homers even without swinging for the fences.

The James Wood leadoff idea is something Davey should consider leaning into long term. It may seem strange, but I think Wood does a lot of lead off man type of things. The role is also one which will bring the best out of Wood. I think the Nationals may have found something here.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/2025/4/8/24403956/should-james-wood-be-nationals-leadoff-hitter

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals vs Los Angeles Dodgers Game Thread

Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Nats look for the sweep against the Dodgers

Whew! What a past couple of days for Nats baseball, after coming into this Dodger series thinking the absolute worst. The Nationals seem to be clicking as a team. You can see on the player’s faces how much this early April series means to them. What’s better news than beating the Dodgers?

C.J. Abrams is back! After his right thigh tightened on the final play on Sunday vs the Diamondbacks. He will be back in the lead-off spot, with Wood sliding back down to the two hole.

On-base warrior Alex Call continues to stay in the lineup, but away from the top of the card. Josh Bell is back in the DH spot after a night off and Paul DeJong is back at third base. DeJong looked sharp filling in for Abrams at shortstop.

TWELVE. pic.twitter.com/VNijAqDtmZ

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 9, 2025​

Dodger manager Dave Roberts said today was going to be a “spot start / bullpen game” for his club. Earlier today L.A. recalled Landon Knack from Triple-A, Knack has pitched two innings this year. That was all the way back in March, at the Tokyo Series. He will be on the bump to start.

The bottom of the Dodgers lineup is where we see change from yesterday’s game. Catcher Will Smith is back in the lineup after a day off and takes Enrique Hernandez’s sixth spot, Meaning Hernandez will slide down to eighth.

Today's #Dodgers lineup at Nationals: pic.twitter.com/eyl0THDUHp

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 9, 2025​

Game Info:​

Stadium: Nationals Park - Washington, D.C.

Time: 4:05 ET

TV: MASN

Radio: 106.7 The Fan, DC 87.7

Bring your broom to the comment section down below. Go Nats!

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/202...-nationals-vs-los-angeles-dodgers-game-thread

 

[Washington Nationals]

Nationals News: Dylan Crews is starting to figure it out

Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

After a very slow start, Dylan Crews is beginning to show signs of life at the plate

One of the biggest stories of the Nationals first week was Dylan Crews’ very slow start. The former number two overall pick looked lost at the plate. He hit rock bottom when he struck out in eight straight at bats.

The numbers are still not pretty, but Crews is beginning to make contact and collect base hits. Crews has had multi-hit games in two of his last three games. He was also robbed of a hit by the scorekeeper the other night, who strangely called what seemed to be an RBI hit an error.

Regardless of the results, the process is looking better. Crews looks more relaxed at the plate and is not overthinking things. Granted, all of his hits have been singles so far, but you have to start somewhere. He has been spamming base hits up the middle the last couple nights, a sign of a hitter beginning to see it well.

Coming into the season, it seemed like the book was out on Crews. The plan for pitchers was to spin him to death. In his brief big league stint last year, Crews had a batting average below .100 against breaking balls. Pitchers knew that and so did Dylan.

Ironically enough, three of his five hits this season have come on breaking balls. However, he is now struggling a bit with the heater. The hitter vs pitcher matchup is a game of cat and mouse, and for the first time, it finally seems like the game is being played on Crews’ terms.

The next step for Dylan is to begin driving balls for extra base hits. We know Crews has the power to do damage, it is all about tapping into that pop. Right now the ground ball base hits are fine, but hopefully those become doubles into the gap once Crews really gets going.

Now that Dylan is settled, he should be more comfortable hunting mistakes and looking to yank balls into the left field seats. Crews is also going to be a dynamic weapon on the base paths. He has 95th percentile sprint speed and looks comfortable swiping bags.

For Crews, it is all about playing within himself. When he was struggling, you could really see him tense up. Now, he looks much more loose and looks like he is having fun. Davey Martinez has stuck by his young outfielder through the struggles, and it looks like it is paying off.

With his numbers still very poor, Crews is not out of the woods yet. However, he looks ready to finally explode. Luckily for him, fellow rookies like Matt Shaw and Roki Sasaki have also struggled out of the gate, so that Rookie of the Year crown in still attainable.

I love the way Crews plays the game. He runs everything out and plays with a lot of passion. It may sound cliche, but he just looks like a ball player. Now it is time for him to show why he was so highly touted coming out of LSU. The Nats spent the number two pick on him and he is a big part of their future. Dylan Crews has to get going, and I think he will.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/202...ls-news-dylan-crews-starting-to-figure-it-out

 

[Washington Nationals]

Nathaniel Lowe: A Tale of Aggression and Power for Nationals slugger

Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

A new plate approach can make the difference

Just days before Christmas, the Nationals general manager picked up the phone and dialed an out of state number. That number Mike Rizzo dialed up was none other than the tallest general manager in baseball Chris Young, shortly after the Rangers and Nats made a swap. Robert Garcia for Nate Lowe straight up.

The player that the Nationals thought they would get from the Texas Rangers could not be any different than what they received. Nathaniel Lowe has been a consistent presence in the Rangers lineup since 2021, known for his solid on-base skills and power every now and then. However, Lowe has taken a more aggressive approach at the plate this season.

Consistency in 2023 and 2024​

Lowe’s 23’ and 24’ seasons showcased steady production from the plate. Making him one of the most reliable first basemen in baseball.

• 2023: .262/.360/.414, 117 wRC+, 12.8% BB rate, 22.8% K rate
• 2024: .265/.361/.401, 121 wRC+, 12.6% BB rate, 22.1% K rate

NATHANIEL LOWE!

The Rangers walk it off

(via @Rangers)pic.twitter.com/LZ5jBis6yI

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 6, 2023​

Those numbers painted a picture of who Lowe was: a solid, disciplined hitter with average batted ball data, good on-base skills, and not a ton of power. The kind of player you pencil into the middle of the lineup without thinking twice. So, it seemed fair to assume that’s the version of Lowe the Nats would get in 2025.

12 games into Nate Lowe’s 2025 season ​

I know it is still early into the season but Lowe has looked like a completely different guy. He has suddenly become one of the most intriguing hitters in baseball, through 2025 so far he’s slashing:

• .244/.306/.511 (.817 OPS), 3 HR, 116 wRC+

The surface numbers presented here are solid, but what is interesting are the underlying metrics.

• 93.7 mph average exit velocity (Top 10% of MLB)
• 20.0% barrel rate (Top 3% of MLB)
• 56.0% hard-hit rate (Top 4% of MLB)

Nathaniel Lowe shows off some serious pop with this home run to left center pic.twitter.com/ow6eFHiyYW

— MLB (@MLB) March 30, 2025​

According to Baseball Savant, Lowe has seen the largest increase in HardHit% from 2024 to 2025. The second largest increase in average exit velocity and the second largest increase in barrel rate. That would suggest a power breakout but it gets weirder. Despite this surge in contact quality, Lowe’s bat speed is down by 1.5 mph from last season. He is swinging the bat way slower but hitting the ball harder, which makes no sense.

Plate Approach ​

The answer might lie in his approach. This year, Lowe has become noticeably more aggressive at the plate. Way different than his days down in Texas.

• Swing%: up from 42.7% to 48.2%
• Zone Swing%: up from 60.1% to 64.0%
• Chase Rate (O-Swing%): up from 23.9% to 45.9% (well below league average)

He’s swinging more often, especially outside the zone and it’s come at a serious cost to his plate discipline. His walk rate has taken a huge dip (from 12.6% to 8.2%), and his contact metrics have plummeted:

• Contact Rate: 57.7% (League Avg ~74%)
• Zone Contact: 83.8%
• Chase Contact: 51.8%

The result of this? Lowe currently has a strikeout rate of 40.8%, which ranks in the bottom 2% of the league.

Recapping what we’ve learned​

Lowe has done a 180 when it comes to his plate approach. He is swinging more than ever, he is hitting the ball harder than he has before. While walking way less and striking out more than almost anyone in baseball. When I first realized that Lowe switched up his plate approach it was before the Dodgers series.

Thankfully, his numbers stayed true and did not change too much so I could write a story on him. That being said his walk rate went up from 6.6% to 8.2% after the Dodgers series. Meaning we still have a lot of baseball to go and Lowe’s new approach might not last the whole season. I guess we have to keep watching as the year goes along!

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/2025/4/10/24405665/nathaniel-lowe-a-tale-of-aggression-and-power

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals need to take advantage of soft upcoming schedule

Brad Mills-Imagn Images

After winning two hard fought series against National League heavyweights, the Nats need to beat up on the featherweights

Over the past week, the Nationals have won series against the National League’s last two World Series representatives. They took two out of three from the D-Backs before coming oh so close to sweeping the defending champion Dodgers.

However, this upcoming road trip might be even more important to the Nats season. They are facing arguably the three worst teams in the NL in the Marlins, Pirates, and Rockies. This will be a perfect chance for the Nats to get their record above .500 when they come home again.

The Nationals went 18-8 against these three teams last season, and they will look for similar success this time around. An easy way to become a .500 team is to beat up on the minnows and hold your own against the big boys. The Nats have shown this past week that they can hold their own with the big boys, now it is time to beat up on some minnows.

There will be some challenges though. It is going to be a taxing road trip for the bullpen. The Nats next day off is not until April 21st, so Davey will have to be careful with his relievers. It is also on the road, which makes life more difficult. In the Nats only road series of the season, they got swept by the Blue Jays.

The trip to Coors Field is also never easy, especially early in the year. It is a unique environment that poses new challenges to pitchers. The weather can also be very cold in Colorado this time of year.

However, the Nats need to go above .500 in this 10 game stretch, ideally winning seven or more games. After a 1-6 start, the Nats have battled back to 5-7 while facing some tough teams. It would be a big blow if they can’t take advantage of the soft schedule.

This is the Nationals chance to show that this year is different and that they can really push for .500 in 2025. Beating up on teams like the Marlins and Rockies is just as important in a pursuit of a good season as battling hard against the Dodgers.

For me, I would love a sweep against the Marlins in particular. They are a divisional foe and the Nats have arguably their three best starters in Mitchell Parker, Trevor Williams, and MacKenzie Gore lined up. A sweep would send a statement to the rest of the division that the Nationals are not messing around.

With bats like CJ Abrams and James Wood red hot right now, I really believe these next 10 games are a golden opportunity. The question is will the Nationals take it, or will they play down to their competition.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/202...-nationals-need-to-take-advantage-of-schedule

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals vs Miami Marlins game thread

Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Follow along as the Nationals begin their massive ten game road trip

The Washington Nationals are going to be out of town for a while. They are going on a 10 game road trip where they will face off against some of the weaker teams in the NL. First on the schedule is a Miami Marlins team which has been surprisingly scrappy.

There were actually changes to the original lineup posted because Nathaniel Lowe was ill. Due to that, Josh Bell will get his first start at first base of the season. James Wood will slide into the DH role as Alex Call takes his spot in left field. Mitchell Parker is taking the mound looking to continue his hot start.

Updated lineup:
Abrams - SS
Wood - DH
Ruiz - C
García Jr. - 2B
Bell - 1B
Call - LF
DeJong - 3B
Crews - RF
Young - CF https://t.co/iehtqHgB9t

— Nationals Communications (@NationalsComms) April 11, 2025​

There are not a ton of familiar names in the Marlins lineup these days. Young shortstop Xavier Edwards in their best hitter and is a speedy leadoff man. The flame throwing but wild Edward Cabrera will take the mound.

Back on home turf

: @PNCBank
: @FanDuelSN_FL , @FDSN_Marlins
: @MarlinsRadio, @FoxSports940
: 7:10 PM ET

#marlinsbeisbol // https://t.co/ZrOdIbYDTI pic.twitter.com/iUVwW8sQQo

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) April 11, 2025​

Game Info:

Stadium: loanDepot Park

Time: 7:10 EST

TV: MASN 2

Radio: 106.7 The Fan and DC 87.7

Let’s get this road trip of to the right foot and make a statement! The Nationals need to show they can take care of business against less talented teams. Comment down below as we go through the game.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/2025/4/11/24406500/washington-nationals-miami-marlins-game-thread

 

[Washington Nationals]

Reviewing the Juan Soto Trade almost three years later

Juan Soto hits a home run in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees June 13, 2018. | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Juan Soto’s blockbuster trade shook the MLB - but how has it turned out for the Nationals?

In August 2022, the Nationals were three years removed from their improbable World Series win; however, it was the beginning of the end. A year prior, Washington shipped off Trea Turner and Max Scherzer in a blockbuster trade with the Dodgers, getting a hefty prospect haul in return. Juan Soto was one of the last remaining key contributors from their championship team and was expected to get one of the most significant contracts in MLB history.

Just two hours before the trade deadline passed, Juan Soto would headline a deal to San Diego for several prospects. Washington was fully committed to rebuilding, while San Diego had assembled a World Series-caliber team.

Full Trade Package:

Padres get:

• OF Juan Soto (2x All-Star, 2nd in MVP- 2021, 3x Silver Slugger)
• 1B Josh Bell (1x All-Star)

Nationals get:

• SS C.J. Abrams (MLB No. 9 overall)
• LHP MacKenzie Gore (San Diego’s No.4 starter)
• OF Robert Hassell lll (MLB No. 21 overall)
• OF James Wood (MLB No. 88 overall)
• RHP Jarlin Susana (San Diego’s No. 14)

In August, it will mark the three years since this blockbuster trade. Washington would go into a full rebuild after this trade, finishing with a 71-91 record in 2023 and 2024. However, things are starting to turn in the right direction for Washington, seeing success directly from this massive trade.

Let’s dive into the Washington Nationals’ return for Juan Soto, detailing what has happened to each player since the trade and where their careers currently stand.

Nationals Return for Juan Soto:​

C.J. Abrams: At the time of the trade, Abrams was set to be a long-term piece for the Nationals moving forward, heading into the season as the No. 9 overall prospect in all of baseball. Abrams would immediately find a role on the MLB roster as the starting shortstop and has solidified his spot in the Washington lineup.

Abrams’ improvement has been seen in his offensive game. He struggled at first in Washington, but in 2024 Abrams found a groove offensively, finishing the season with a 110 WRC+ and becoming an All-Star for the first time in his career.

Abrams has started off the 2025 season outstanding once again, building off an All-Star season, and will be a key contributor going forward for Washington.

James Wood: Wood would soar through minors, dominating the competition. Wood would eventually become one of the best prospects in the MLB, some ranking him as high as the top prospect before being called up to the Major League unit for the first time in 2024.

In 79 games, Wood would have a strong start to his career, posting a 123 OPS+ in 2024. The 22-year-old is now looked at as the next big-time star for Washington, similar to Juan Soto.

Wood has lived up to the hype so far in 2025, posting a 1.010 OPS through the team’s first two weeks of the season. The sky’s the limit for James Wood, as he looks to play his first full season in 2025.

CJ Abrams and James Wood go back-to-back for their first homers of the season pic.twitter.com/MXOF4qLTU7

— MLB (@MLB) April 1, 2025​

MacKenzie Gore: Same as Abrams, Gore would be thrust into a starting role, becoming the Nationals ace of the future. The 23-year-old would not pitch for the Nationals in 2022 due to elbow inflammation. However, in 2023, Gore would start 27 games finishing with a 4.42 ERA and a 96 ERA+.

Gore became a workhorse in 2024, starting 32 games and finishing with a 3.90 ERA and 103 ERA+. Gore received his first Opening Day start in his short MLB career, and he showed all of baseball the level of pitcher he could be.

2025 has gotten off to a great start for the newly 26-year-old, posting a 2.65 ERA through his first three starts. MacKenzie Gore is aiming to become Washington’s ace for the foreseeable future.

Robert Hassell lll: After being drafted 8th overall in the 2020 MLB Draft, Hassell was set to be one of the main returning pieces for the Nationals in the trade. At the time, Hassell was ranked the No. 21 overall prospect in the MLB.

2024 was a big year for the former top prospect, jumping from High-A to Triple-A, and having a successful year throughout the minors and Arizona Fall League.

Hassell has had his ups and downs in Washington’s system, watching other players like James Wood and Dylan Crews (2024 1st-round pick) get the call to the MLB before him.

At 23 years old, Hassell has gotten off to solid start in Rochester in 2025 and has a chance of earning a call-up to the Major League squad with consistent performances.

Jarlin Susana: While being the youngest player in the trade, Susana has progressed to becoming one of the top pitching prospects in Washington’s system. Susana has posted a career 4.17 ERA in the minor leagues up to 2025, starting this season in Double-A. His 100 MPH fastball makes him a very intriguing arm.

Currently ranked the No. 76 prospect in baseball, Susana is projected to make his Major League debut in 2026 and could become a key part of the future rotation in Washington.

Not too shabby!

In his Double-A debut, Jarlin Susana struck out seven in 4.0 innings (1 ER) of work pic.twitter.com/mkT1oQ4mGL

— Nationals Player Development (@Nats_PlayerDev) April 8, 2025​

Padres Return:​

Juan Soto: At the time of this trade, Juan Soto was one of the brightest young stars in all of baseball and Soto has lived up to hype. 2022 was a down year for Soto’s standards, finishing the season with an .853 OPS, struggling with San Diego down the stretch.

In Soto’s only full season with San Diego, he bounced back in a big way, belting a career-high 35 home runs and finishing with a .930 OPS. This season would prove to be a successful season for San Diego, making the NLCS before falling to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Following a spectacular season, Soto would be dealt by San Diego across the country to the New York Yankees. He somehow improved from his 2023 season, finishing third in AL MVP after smashing a new career-high 41 home runs. He and New York would fall to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2024 World Series.

Soto became a free agent for the first time in the 2025 off-season, becoming one of the most sought after free agents in recent memory. Soto would get the payday he always wanted, signing a MLB-record $765 million deal from the New York Mets. At just 26-years-old, Juan Soto has the potential of becoming an all-time great and will always be remembered for bringing Washington their first World Series.

Josh Bell: At the time Bell was dealt to the Padres, he was having a career year, .877 OPS and a 152 WRC+. However, once he joined the Padres, Bell would struggle the rest of the season, posting a -0.5 WAR.

Bell would sign with Cleveland for the 2023 season and was dealt to the Miami Marlins at the 2023 trade deadline. The former All-Star would be dealt once again, heading to the Arizona Diamondbacks at the 2024 trade deadline.

For 2025, Josh Bell and the Washington Nationals have reunited and Bell earned the full-time designated hitter spot for the start of 2025, filling as a much-needed upgrade for Washington.

Conclusion​

The Washington Nationals have been rebuilding ever since the Soto trade. Washington finished with a 71-91 record in 2023 and 2024. However, the start of the 2025 season has given fans a different feeling than in recent years.

Coming off a series win against the Dodgers, fans are seeing the true potential of the trade return for superstar Juan Soto. The future is bright, however, featuring a young lineup with plenty of room to grow. Abrams, Gore, and Wood look to be the future of the Nationals, as Hassell and Susana are progressing to become contributors in the near future.

Ask any Nationals fan, they will tell you Washington came out on top with this blockbuster trade. Even though I would have to agree, Juan Soto’s career has been nothing short of incredible.

Almost three years later, what do you guys think about the Juan Soto trade and how it has panned out? Comment down below!

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/2025/4/12/24406743/reviewing-the-juan-soto-trade

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals vs Miami Marlins Game Thread

Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Watch along as the Nationals look to take their sixth win in seven games to get back to .500

After a big comeback win last night, the Nationals are back for more in a late afternoon showdown against the Marlins. They are looking for their sixth win in seven games.

However, they will have to do it without the services of CJ Abrams who was put on the IL earlier today with a hip flexor strain. Alex Call will take his place in the leadoff spot, while Paul DeJong will play shortstop.

Dylan Crews is getting the day off after going hitless in his last couple games. It looked like he was heating up, but now he has gone back to struggling. Trevor Williams will take the mound.

FOURTEEN. pic.twitter.com/4vBAJF1c4s

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 12, 2025​

With a right hander on the mound, Matt Mervis and Griffin Conine will get starts today for the Marlins. Former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara will take the mound. He has looked really good so far after missing 2024 with Tommy John Surgery.

Now entering: the Sandman ️

: @PNCBank
: @FanDuelSN_FL , @FDSN_Marlins
:@MarlinsRadio , @FoxSports940
: 4:10 PM ET#Marlinsbeisbol // https://t.co/ZrOdIbYDTI pic.twitter.com/ge9Tf6SOVX

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) April 12, 2025​

Game Info:

Stadium: loanDepot Park

Time: 4:10 EST

TV: MASN 2

Radio: 106.7 The Fan and DC 87.7

Let’s go get a third straight series win here! The Nationals are red hot and James Wood is becoming a star before our very eyes. Comment down below and Let’s Go Nats!

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/2025/4/12/24407008/washington-nationals-miami-marlins-game-thread

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals vs Miami Marlins game thread

Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Follow along as the Nationals look to take the series against the Marlins

The Washington Nationals are looking for their third straight series win as they take on the Marlins in a rubber match. Nationals ace MacKenzie Gore will take the mound, looking to continue the success he has had in his first three starts.

The Nats are running out the same lineup as Yesterday. That means Dylan Crews will sit on the bench for a second straight game. We will monitor that situation going forward. Nathaniel Lowe is also still at DH as he recovers from illness. Keibert Ruiz is in at catcher again, with the 26 year old taking a heavy workload to start the season.

FIFTEEN. pic.twitter.com/1YsJFNQ4yf

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 13, 2025​

The Marlins lineup is a similar cast of characters. Matt Mervis is out of the lineup with a lefty on the mound. Rob Brantly is an interesting story. The catcher is coming back to the Marlins, who he played with in 2012 and 2013. Cal Quantrill is on the mound.

Sunday funday

: @PNCBank
: @FanDuelSN_FL , @FDSN_Marlins
: @MarlinsRadio , @FoxSports940
: 1:40 PM ET #Marlinsbeisbol // https://t.co/ZrOdIbYDTI pic.twitter.com/MAfofSA6E5

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) April 13, 2025​

Game Info:

Stadium: loanDepot Park

Time: 1:40 EST

TV: MASN 2

Radio: 106.7 The Fan and DC 87.7

It is time for MacKenzie Gore to show up and put the Nats on his back! We want another series win today. Follow along in the comments and feel free to share your thoughts.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/2025/4/13/24407541/washington-nationals-vs-miami-marlins-game-thread

 

[Washington Nationals]

James Wood is scaring pitchers

Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

After an explosive week, pitchers are fearful of coming after James Wood

One sign that a player is a superstar is when pitchers are scared to throw them strikes. The most famous example of this is Barry Bonds, who was even intentionally walked with the bases loaded. A couple of recent Nats have been pitched around aggressively in Bryce Harper and Juan Soto.

Despite being 22 and in his first full season, pitchers are already wary when James Wood comes to the plate. Since the start of the Dodgers series, Wood has four homers and eight RBI’s in just six games. In that time, he also has eight walks.

Yesterday, the Marlins wanted no part of the 6’7 slugger, walking him three times. The pitchers looked like they had no interest in facing Wood, knowing one mistake could be sent into orbit. James Wood is a red hot hitter, and pitchers know it.

Wood’s quality of contact is ridiculous right now. He is in the 99th percentile for hard hit percentage and barrel rate. Wood is also now walking 16.9% of the time.

There is a reason pitchers are so scared of Wood. His opposite field power is simply stunning. The home run he hit in Miami was jaw dropping and even had the Marlins broadcast at a loss for words.

The Marlins broadcast was absolutely stunned by James Wood's insane opposite field home run last night pic.twitter.com/Ekd1n081Yd

— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball) April 12, 2025​

There are still plenty of problems with the Nats, but it is nice to know that they have a superstar in James Wood. We have been fortunate to have a number of special hitters come through DC over the years, so fans know what special hitters look like. Nationals fans now have another special hitter in James Wood.

He is such a unique player as well. Wood has the languid demeanor of an Anthony Rendon and is a quiet guy. However, when he hits the ball, it is a different kind of loud. Before the season, I called James Wood a baseball unicorn and he really is that.

He does not make any sense. Wood is 6’7 and can be kind of clumsy at times. However, he can run like the wind when he gets going, beating out seemingly routine ground balls at times.

James Wood is a power hitter, but barely ever pulls the ball. It is now en vogue to try to pull the ball to tap into more power, but that is not Wood’s game. He has such absurd power, he can hit it out to left center in any ballpark.

James Wood has a .978 OPS right now and it feels totally sustainable. He is going to take his walks due to a patient approach and putting the fear of god into pitchers. Wood is also going to hit frozen ropes and rack up the extra base hits.

The funny thing is that I think there are still things Wood can unlock in his game. He strikes out looking too much for my liking, something I think he can correct. While Wood will not and should not become a pull hitter, I think he can unlock a new level if and when he learns to turn on some of those inside pitches.

However, this “imperfect” hitter is still one of the best in the game and he is also just 22. There are All-Star games in James Wood’s future and they could come as soon as next year. I am going to be even more bold and say there could also be MVP’s in his future.

After losing both Soto and Harper, the Nationals need to lock up this young star. While he is repped by Scott Boras, Wood is a local boy. He grew up in Olney and went to high school at St. Johns before he went to IMG Academy. The Nationals have a hometown hero and they need to keep him around.

Pitchers know James Wood is a superstar already. He is the name that is circled on every opponents lineup card because they know what he can do. Wood is one of the best young hitters in baseball and he is scaring opposing pitchers. He is just 22, but pitchers do not want any part of the Nationals 6’7 star.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/2025/4/14/24408035/james-wood-scaring-pitchers