Despite a 16-win improvement from 2022 to 2023, expectations remained low for the Washington Nationals following a quiet offseason. However, the Nationals have been surprisingly competitive, despite a recent slump over the last couple of weeks. This year has seen plenty of positives for the team, but there is also plenty of room for improvement. Let’s take a look at three bright spots and three areas that need improvement for the Nationals.
Analyzing the Nationals Positives and Negatives
Starting Pitching
The rotation was seen as a big question mark, but instead, it has turned into one of many strengths. The Nationals’ starting pitching has been the biggest surprise of the season, with young pitchers like Mackenzie Gore, Jake Irvin, and Mitchell Parker exceeding expectations. All three have a sub-4 ERA, with Irvin boasting a sub-3 ERA. Even veteran pitcher Trevor Williams performed exceptionally before his injury, posting a 2.22 ERA in 56 2/3 innings. This pitching resurgence is even more impressive considering the team’s loss of 2023 All-Star Josiah Gray to injury. After getting roughed up in his first two starts, Gray went down with an elbow injury and has since suffered a setback.
CJ Abrams Emerging As an All-Star:
James Wood Taking the Leap
James Wood performed well in High-A Wilmington before putting up decent, but not outstanding, numbers in Double-A Harrisburg. However, he struggled with striking out, with a rate of 33.7 percent in Double-A. It was clear that if Wood wanted to reach his full potential, he needed to improve his strikeout rate. After an impressive showing in spring training, he was sent down to Triple-A Rochester where he managed to reduce his strikeout rate to just 18.2 percent over 231 plate appearances, while also achieving an impressive 1.058 OPS. His performance led to his call-up to the Nationals on July 1. In his limited time in the major leagues, Wood has displayed confidence at the plate, although he has shown some difficulties adjusting to playing left field, a position he has little experience in.
Negatives
The Offense Has Taken a Step Back
Aside from Abrams, Luis Garcia Jr., and Jesse Winker, the offense has been quite weak. Washington ranks 24th in OPS and slugging percentage, 18th in runs, 19th in batting average, and 29th in home runs. Under Darnell Coles, the Nats have emphasized contact over power, but with the team hitting .239, they aren’t succeeding this season. With struggling hitters like Eddie Rosario, Joey Meneses, and Nick Senzel gone, there is hope for the rest of the season, but the offensive approach hasn’t been effective. Keibert Ruiz‘s decline at the plate has been particularly concerning. After hitting 18 home runs and posting a .717 OPS in 2023, there was optimism about Ruiz as a hitter. However, he has struggled in 2024, posting a .587 OPS. In short, the offense hasn’t been good enough, and there should be serious conversations about Darnell Coles’ future with the team after the season.
The Return from the Juan Soto Trade
It seems like the Nationals are winning with the Juan Soto trade. Players like Gore, Abrams and Wood look like they will be key players for the Nationals in the future. However, the other major trade made the year before isn’t aging well. As previously mentioned, the two main pieces in that trade, Ruiz and Gray, have had terrible seasons. Even before this season, there were concerns. Despite making an All-Star appearance and having a sub-4 ERA, Gray’s advanced stats raised concerns. Now with his injury, there are serious questions about his future. Ruiz was good with the bat in 2023, but his defense took a nosedive, making him one of the worst defensive catchers in baseball. This has continued into 2024, which makes his regression at the plate even scarier. Both players are young enough to turn it around, but time is running out.
The Baserunning Has Not Been Good
In the second half of 2023, the Nationals adopted an extremely aggressive baserunning strategy, which initially yielded positive results. However, opponents have since adjusted, resulting in a decline in successful stolen base attempts. While Washington currently ranks 3rd in stolen bases this season, they have also been caught stealing more than any other team in baseball. This trend is unsustainable, and the Nationals need to reconsider their approach to baserunning.
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