Nationals debate to determine the clubhouse's one true Jake

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.

Jake Irvin made his Major League debut with the Nationals on May 3. Jake Alu followed six days later. At the end of August, Jacob Young made it a trifecta.

Looking at the Nationals roster, I wondered this weekend: what happens when there are three players with the same name on the same team?

“We had a ‘Jake Off,’” Alu said.

On a recent road trip, veteran Trevor Williams organized a multiround competition between the rookies. There was a coveted prize up for grabs.

“Too many Jakes on the team,” Williams said. “It was a perfect time to have a ‘Jake Off’ … Only one person got to keep their name: Jake Young.”

Alu, Irvin and Young began the contest with one-minute opening statements to a panel of their teammates. The objective, Young explained, was “to debate why we were the King Jake.”

A three-minute Q&A followed, when teammates got to know the trio better.

“It’s huge,” said Jordan Weems. “It allows some of the younger, newer guys to kind of settle in and realize that we’re all teammates and we’re going to joke around and have fun, but you’re part of it, you’re part of the group.”

Tied after one-minute closing statements, the competition concluded with “Jake Trivia.” Williams compiled questions about Jakes in baseball -- such as notable stats from Jake Peavy and Jacob deGrom -- and other celebrity Jakes, including Jake Gyllenhaal.

In the end, Young emerged the overall winner.

“He made a compelling case,” said Williams.

Throughout the contest, pre-existing and new nicknames emerged.

Alu, who previously played on the same team at Boston College as two other Jakes, already went by his last name as his nickname. Now, his teammates also call him Phil, for his middle name.

Irvin says he has “never really gone by Jake” on his baseball teams. He prefers Irv or Jirv, and he is also referred to as Jirvy.

Young goes by J.Y. or his full first name, noting, “anywhere close to Jacob’s cool with me.”

The Jakes appreciated the competition for more than just name bragging rights.

“It’s a way to keep things loose,” said Irvin. “You get to learn a little bit more about [teammates] in a relaxed, chill environment.”

Echoed Young, “It’s great. Getting to know guys better and to kind of be able to show who you are and just have some fun with all the guys, it definitely brings everyone closer and makes you feel more a part of it since it’s just beginning.”