Nationals preseason capsule: Young core eyes winning season

Field Level Media|published: Sat 15th March, 01:17 2025

Mar 13, 2025; Port Charlotte, Florida, USA; Washington Nationals designated hitter James Wood (29) celebrates with his teammates after hitting a three run home run in the first inning against the Tampa Bays Rays during spring training at Charlotte Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

Washington Nationals

2024 record: 71-91 (4th place, NL East).

He gone: LHP Patrick Corbin, INF/OF Joey Gallo, 1B/DH Joey Meneses, INF Ildemaro Vargas, RHP Tanner Rainey, LHP Robert Garcia.

New faces: 1B Nathaniel Lowe, RHP Michael Soroka, DH Josh Bell, INF/OF Amed Rosario, RHP Jorge Lopez, INF Paul DeJong, LHP Colin Poche, RHP Lucas Sims, C Andrew Knizner.

Biggest question entering Opening Day: Is the lengthy rebuild almost over? Since winning the 2019 World Series, the Nationals have posted five straight losing seasons, a stretch matched or exceeded only by the Angels, Pirates and Rockies. Not great company, but the teardown -- in which the Nationals parted with franchise icons Max Scherzer, Trea Turner and Juan Soto -- restocked the farm system. The up-the-middle quartet of Keibert Ruiz, Luis Garcia Jr., CJ Abrams and Dylan Crews are all 26 or younger while MacKenzie Gore leads a largely homegrown rotation. The kids will have to be better than all right if the Nationals are going to break through in a loaded NL East.

Top prospect: Crews is still technically a prospect after collecting 119 at-bats -- 11 shy of the cutoff for rookie eligibility -- last season. With his ability to play defense in center while delivering plenty of extra-base hits (54 in 534 minor league at-bats) and steals (12 in just 31 big league games), Crews should have no trouble establishing himself as an everyday player.

Breakout player: James Wood looked like a 20/20 or maybe even a 30/30 threat last season, when he posted a 122 OPS+. If his plate judgment catches up with the rest of his skills, watch out -- he had 39 walks and 97 strikeouts for the Nationals after posting a 40/42 ratio at Triple-A.

2025 outlook: With an enticing homegrown core and several veterans added this winter on short-term deals, the Nationals look like a team ready to take the next step. The playoffs are a long shot in a tough division, but their first winning season this decade is within reach.

--Field Level Media