Washington's future relies on a few youngsters, all of whom will be looked at for fireworks in Florida.
The wins and losses might not matter in February and March, but spring training games give teams and their fans an early look at players, and the improvements they’ve made, before the long season starts.
For a team like the Washington Nationals that is still a couple years from contention, development is the name of the game. Spring games give the franchise a chance to take a look at newcomers and young players, whether they’re poised to make an impact this season or in the future.
If you’re already tired of hearing how one player or another is “in the best shape of their career” or “poised for a breakout season,” that’s too bad, because we’re just getting started. With a week to go before the spring training opener against the Cardinals, here are four players whose performance in Florida will be heavily scrutinized.
1) Harry Ford, C
Ford, who will turn 23 on the day spring training starts, was possibly Washington’s most important acquisition this offseason. A catching prospect with top-tier athleticism and some potential at the plate, Ford could be a long-term option behind the dish and a possible replacement for a struggling Keibert Ruiz.
According to Prospect Savant, Ford is borderline elite in several underlying metrics, especially when it comes to drawing walks and avoiding chase swings. He is also above average in virtually every hitting metric and has a mature plate approach for his age.
Ford is probably not ready to take over the starting backstop role, but spring training will give a glimpse into what he has to offer, maybe sooner rather than later. ESPN named Ford the Nationals' player to watch through spring training.
2) Dylan Crews, OF
While this isn’t an under-the-radar pick for a player to keep an eye on, Crews is impossible to leave off this list. The 2nd overall pick in the 2023 draft has been relatively disappointing to start off his career and, if the Nationals hope to contend ahead of schedule, that needs to change.
Crews has been a poor hitter by MLB standards since being called up, hitting to the tune of a 79 OPS+ (100 is average) and an on-base percentage well below .300. This is especially disappointing given Crews was drafted after a monster campaign at LSU in 2023, where he mashed his way to a .426/.567/.713 triple slash with 18 long balls.
If he’s going to be a key part of the team’s rebuild, there need to be some signs of life from Crews in spring training, some flashes of the player the Nationals drafted him to be.
3) Brad Lord, P
At 25 years old (26 on the 14th), Lord is the youngest member of the Nationals pitching staff (at least as it is currently constructed). He was a solid, if unremarkable, starter for the Nationals last year, posting a 4.34 ERA over 19 starts and 48 total appearances.
Lord is not really a blow-you-away guy, and there isn’t a specific number or trait that jumps off the page. But he is solid, and that really matters for a team that’s looking for reliable arms.
If Lord can improve around the margins, specifically in terms of getting players to chase a bit more and maybe coaxing a few more strikeouts, he can be a real back-end starter for a rotation that is in desperate need of consistent play.
4) Robert Hassell III, OF
One of the major pieces the Nats got in return for Juan Soto, Hassell struggled mightily in his first taste of the big leagues last season. Hassell just never looked fully comfortable at the plate, and he finished his cup of coffee (albeit a large cup of coffee, with 70 games played) with a .572 OPS and only eight walks to 62 strikeouts.
Hassell, like Crews, is still young, and still has time. But, also like Crews, Washington and its fans would probably love to see some signs that he’s moving in the right direction. If Hassell can show improved plate discipline and make better contact, it would reassure fans and the front office alike that he can help turn the team around in the future.