The fifth and final team on this list of worst teams in the MLB: The Washington Nationals. Although the Nationals have won the World Series in recent years, they are missing quite a few key pieces from that 2019 team. Let’s take a deeper look into the team that the Nationals plan on fielding in 2023.
Projected Starting Lineup/Pitching Rotation:
Lane Thomas – OF
Corey Dickerson – OF
Joey Meneses – DH
Jeimer Candelario – 3B
Keibert Ruiz – C
Dominic Smith – 1B
CJ Abrams – SS
Victor Robles – OF
Luis Garcia – 2B
ROTATION:
Why look forward to this lineup?
This is another team on this list that does not have a star-studded lineup. However, there are a couple guys in this starting lineup that are showing promise within the organization. Joey Meneses is a prime example of this. 2022 was his first season in the MLB, and he played in 56 games, batted .324, and hit 13 home runs. Meneses is also tearing it up at the World Baseball Classic for Mexico, where he belted 2 home runs in their game against the US.
A name in the starting pitching rotation that should get some more looks is MacKenzie Gore. Another guy whose first year in the MLB was 2022, Gore appeared in 16 games for the Padres. He started in 13 of those games and had a 4-4 record. Gore notched 72 strikeouts and held a 4.50 ERA. The 24-year-old shows promise and poise on the mound, and fans should watch for him to be the next big arm in that Nationals rotation.
Prospects in the Nationals’ Organization:
James Wood – OF
- Wood is a 6’7” 240 pound outfielder who graces the field with solid contact hitting and lots of speed. In 2022, he played Padres rookie ball and A ball. Between all three teams that he was on, he knotted a .326 batting average with 15 home runs and 20 stolen bases. That was all in just 102 games played. Wood was sent to Washington in part of the blockbuster deal for Juan Soto, and was taken 62nd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft to the Padres.
Robert Hassell III – OF
- Robert Hassell III was taken 8th overall in the draft of 2020 by the San Diego Padres. He, as well as Wood, was a part of the Juan Soto deal in 2022. Hassell battled with injuries in 2022, only allowing him to take the field with AA Harrisburg 27 games. However, he is only 21 years old going into the 2023 season and has ample time to make a statement. Throughout two seasons in the minors, Hassell has batted .288, has 257 hits, has an OPS of .813, and has played in 222 games.
Elijah Green – OF
- To round out this trio of young outfield talent the Nationals have, we have Elijah Green. Green was drafted 5th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft by that Nationals, and played the 2022 season in rookie ball. He batted .302, .939 OPS, 13 hits, 2 home runs, and 9 RBIs in 12 games played. Green is said to have raw power, and well above average speed. He could enjoy a long career in Washington with the two young prospects listed above.
Outlook for the Organization:
The over/under for the Nationals’ wins this season is 60.5, per DraftKings Sportsbook. I like them to hit the over on that number. I think there is a good chance that the Nats don’t lose 100 games this year, so I would give them anywhere from 63-68 wins.
They have the young talent to win some games now, but I think as that talent developes they are going to be more likely to succeed down the road. They are in one of the toughest divisions in baseball with the NL East. Braves are good, Phillies are good, Mets are good, and Marlins are good. However, with the updated MLB schedule, each team plays within their division less now than ever. They have play each of those four other teams five less times this year. In my mind, the less that you have to play in the NL East, the better.
For more sports and MLB content, please go to Belly Up Sports!
