Nationals Report Card: Evaluating Key Players After 2026 Season

It’s the offseason, which means fans can engage in equal parts reflection and forward-looking hope. 

With the season in the rear view mirror, it’s useful to hold some key Nationals players under a microscope to evaluate their performance, especially as the team figures out its identity going forward. That being said, let’s take a look at a few key players and how they fared in the 2026 season. 

CJ Abrams: A-

CJ Abrams had a massive breakout campaign for the Nats this season, slugging his way to an All-Star selection and more than five wins above replacement. 

Abrams set career highs in several batting categories in 2026, including home runs (33) and runs batted in (106). At times, he was a dominant force on offense, a scintillating combination of speed, power and on-base skills. 

So why is his grade not an A+, if things were so good?

Really, the only thing holding him from a perfect grade is a light batting average slump over the second half and struggles defensively that could push him to second base long-term. Other than those things, though, Abrams had a killer campaign and figures to be a huge part of Washington’s future. 

Harry Ford: C+ 

Harry Ford is likely the catcher of the future for the Nationals — that much is evident. A very solid defender with some potential at the dish, Ford figures to be a part of Washington’s long-term plans. 

But it has to be said that Ford, who spent 38 games in the majors, didn’t exactly wow in his time up, especially with the bat in his hands. 

It was expected that there would be some learning curve, but Ford really struggled. He finished his stint with a .190 batting average, though he did draw a significant number of walks. 

Ford showed enough to be considered important going forward, but also certainly needs development before becoming the every day catcher. 

Cade Cavalli: A 

Coming into the season, Cade Cavalli was saddled with the expectation of becoming the Nationals’ ace, the number one guy who could carry the team to wins every five games. To put it mildly, he delivered.

Cavalli was excellent throughout the season, pitching to a 3.02 ERA and striking out 200 batters. He more than lived up to expectations, and he earned himself a four-year extension in the process. 

On a team plagued by pitching issues, Cavalli was a bright spot and looks to be a star going forward.