The Washington Nationals have hit the fewest home runs of any team in baseball, six fewer than the historically bad Chicago White Sox. The Nationals are the only team in baseball to not reach the 90-home run mark and are one of three teams below 100 homers. With pitchers throwing nastier stuff than ever, offenses rely more on the home run. However, the Nationals have tried to go in the other direction, which has not worked.
Nationals Lack Power is a Concern
The Darnell Coles Problem
Darnell Coles’ tenure as Nationals hitting coach has been an utter failure. There is no need to sugarcoat it or beat around the bush. The downgrade from Kevin Long to Darnell Coles is profound and has set the franchise back. Coles and manager Davey Martinez have rejected modern hitting bedrocks. Coles has openly discussed how his offensive approach is not built around the home run. The problem is that stringing together hits is tougher than ever, and even if guys put together scrappy at-bats, it is still hard to score. Home runs are the best way to put crooked numbers on the board.
Washington’s aversion to pulling fly balls is more evidence of their archaic hitting philosophy. There have been hot mic conversations where Nationals staff members have discouraged shortstop CJ Abrams from pulling the ball. Davey Martinez constantly preaches about the virtue of using ‘the big part of the field.’ In an interview last season, Martinez said he talked to Abrams about “hitting hard ground balls.” All of this is quite alarming and showcases the Nationals’ dated hitting philosophy. Abrams has been at his best this season when he is pulling fly balls, even though the team discourages him from doing so.
No Sluggers in the Lineup
Along with the antiquated hitting philosophy, the Nationals also have a personnel problem. They do not have a big-time slugger in the middle of the order. James Wood will likely be that someday, but it is too much to ask of him for next season. He is still developing and a couple of adjustments from reaching his superstar ceiling. Dylan Crews and Brady House should be in the lineup next season, but they will also face growing pains.
The Nationals will have to use free agency to acquire some power. They need two power bats, likely one at first base and one in a corner outfield spot. Some intriguing targets for first base are Pete Alonso, Christian Walker, and Ryan O’Hearn. All three add some needed thump to the middle of the lineup. Obviously, a Juan Soto reunion would be the dream for the outfield, but that is not happening. Anthony Santander and Teoscar Hernandez represent more realistic targets that hit for big-time power.
The Future of the Nationals Lineup
First and foremost, the Nationals need to show Darnell Coles the door. His hitting philosophy is actively harming the Nationals’ young hitters. Keeping him would fit into Einstein’s definition of insanity, repeatedly trying the same thing and expecting different results. A new voice could help with the progression of young hitters such as Abrams and Wood. However, the team still needs to add big-time power from outside the organization. If they do not do that, this lineup will not have the power to compete. A guy like Jacob Young is a fun player and a great defender, but he is a fourth outfielder on a good team. Young should not stop the Nationals from acquiring power. The seeds are there for a young, exciting lineup, but the power outage will continue if the Nationals do not modernize their hitting philosophy and add thump to the middle of the order.
Main Photo Credits: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
