3 spring storylines as Nationals open camp

This story was excerpted from Jessica Camerato¡¯s Nationals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Greetings from Florida! It¡¯s Wednesday, which means Spring Training is here. Pitchers and catchers reported for their first workout in West Palm Beach, where the forecast calls for 83 degrees to welcome in camp.

Here are three storylines to watch throughout Spring Training that will have an impact on the 2025 roster.

Who will make the starting rotation?
The Nationals head into Spring Training stacked with starting pitching depth. Right-hander Jake Irvin and left-handers MacKenzie Gore, Mitchell Parker and DJ Herz are returning from last season; right-hander Trevor Williams re-signed on a two-year deal; left-hander Shinnosuke Ogasawara inked a two-year deal from Japan; and right-hander Michael Soroka looks to return to the starting rotation on a one-year contract.

How will this get sorted out? One option is to look at ¡­ options. If the Nats open with a five-man rotation, developing players such as Herz, Parker, and potentially Ogasawara as he gets acclimated to the Majors, could begin the season in Triple-A Rochester.

Who will be the starting third baseman?
There will be a competition for the hot corner again this Spring Training. While top third-base prospect Brady House (Nationals¡¯ No. 3) continues to develop, Jos¨¦ Tena, Trey Lipscomb and Amed Rosario will contend in camp.

Tena, who impressed in the second half of last season when he was acquired from Cleveland in the Lane Thomas trade, will be one to watch. After playing the middle infield the majority of his Minor League career, he made 34 starts at third base with the Nats. Tena also collected five doubles, three home runs, 15 RBIs and six stolen bases in 41 games.

Which prospect will stand out the most in camp?
Lipscomb had such a standout camp last spring, he stayed in the mix for the Opening Day roster down the stretch and earned his Major League callup on March 30 when Nick Senzel was injured. The big league clubhouse will have plenty of prospects vying for the same opportunity this season.

The following MLB Pipeline Top 30 ranked players will be looking to make their mark as non-roster invitees: infielders House, Yohandy Morales (No. 9) and Cayden Wallace (No. 11); outfielders Daylen Lile (No. 12) and Andrew Pinckney (No. 28); catcher Caleb Lomavita (No. 10); right-handers Marquis Grissom Jr. (No. 27), Brad Lord (No. 30), Tyler Stuart (No. 19) and Jarlin Susana (No. 4, MLB No. 79).