What could the Nats' Opening Day roster look like?
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Spring Training is an opportunity for players to make their mark for a spot on the Opening Day roster. This is the first of several projections throughout camp of who could make the 2025 squad.
Catcher (2): Keibert Ruiz, Riley Adams
Ruiz, who signed an eight-year contract during Spring Training 2023, returns as backstop. Drew Millas and non-roster invitee Andrew Knizner will compete with Adams for the backup role.
First baseman (1): Nathaniel Lowe
The Nationals acquired Lowe from the Rangers in exchange for reliever Robert Garcia. Lowe won a Gold Glove Award at first base in 2023.
Second baseman (1): Luis Garc¨ªa Jr.
Garc¨ªa looks to build on the momentum of being named a Silver Slugger finalist. Last season, he was one of just six players to bat over .280 with at least 40 extra-base hits and 20 stolen bases.
Shortstop (1): CJ Abrams
Abrams, who was optioned to Triple-A at the end of last season, is expected to be the Nationals' starting shortstop this season. He led the Nats in extra-base hits in 2024.
Third baseman (1): Jos¨¦ Tena
Tena impressed when he was acquired at the Trade Deadline from Cleveland in the Lane Thomas trade. He could earn the starting role while the Nats¡¯ top third-base prospect Brady House continues to develop in Triple-A.
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Outfielders (3): LF James Wood, CF Jacob Young, RF Dylan Crews (Nationals¡¯ No. 1 prospect, MLB No. 4)
The young trio will play their first full season together in the Major Leagues. Young earned Gold Glove finalist honors in 2024 and led the NL in outs above average.
DH (1): Josh Bell
Bell returns for his second stint with the Nationals. The veteran, who also plays first base, looks forward to focusing on the DH role to establish consistency at the plate.
Bench/utility (3): Stone Garrett, Amed Rosario, Juan Yepez
Garrett returned from a year-plus injury at the end of last season, and he will vie for the fourth outfielder spot while also being able to DH. Rosario signed a one-year deal this winter as a versatile veteran infielder entering his ninth season. Yepez can give the Nats options at first base and DH. Outfielder Alex Call is likely to be in this mix in camp.
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Starting pitchers (5): RHP Jake Irvin, LHP MacKenzie Gore, RHP Michael Soroka, LHP Mitchell Parker, RHP Trevor Williams
The Nationals have an abundance of starting pitching depth heading into Spring Training, and this list is likely to change throughout camp. For now, this projection would have DJ Herz and Shinnosuke Ogasawara beginning the season in Triple-A. Williams also could shift to a long reliever role in the bullpen, but early expectations are him being a veteran presence in the rotation.
Relief pitchers (8): RHP Derek Law, RHP Jorge L¨®pez, LHP Jose A. Ferrer, LHP Colin Poche, RHP Eduardo Salazar, RHP Evan Reifert (No. 26), RHP Zach Brzycky (No. 22), RHP Daison Acosta (NRI)
The Minor League deal with Poche was an intriguing addition less than a week before camp opened. He and Ferrer give the Nats a pair of lefty options for the back end of the bullpen. Reifert was acquired from the Rays organization in the Rule 5 Draft, and he would have to stay on the Major League roster the entire season.