With Spring Training complete, Nationals 'itching to go'

WASHINGTON -- This entire spring, the world has seen the Nats even more fully embrace their new motto of “Next Gen Natitude.” There are ads in rotation at metro stations and placards up all around D.C. There’s even new carpeting in Washington’s clubhouse at Nationals Park -- one of a handful of upgrades the club has made to its home digs.

Washington is invested in its young core, which in turn is invested in not just developing anymore, but in winning.

“This year, Spring Training was a little bit different,” manager Dave Martinez said prior to the Nationals’ canceled exhibition game vs. the O’s due to inclement weather on Monday. “... They seemed like they all came with one idea, and that's to win. And I said this before, you know all this stuff about, ‘Hey, we're coming. We're coming.’ We talked a lot about, ‘Hey, they don't want to hear that no more.’ They want to go out there and try to win, and that's exciting.”

The Nats gave the DMV its first taste of this new generation of ballplayers last season, with James Wood and No. 1 prospect Dylan Crews entering the mix. As they prepare to take the field for their first Opening Day as Major Leaguers, it comes with a level of confidence that typically only comes with experience.

But there are other skills that will require the Nats’ youngsters to lean on their veteran teammates and coaching staff.

“It's really keeping them grounded, you know?” Martinez said. “Understanding that they need to be where their feet are every day. I don't want them to think too far ahead. I'm not overly concerned about what their numbers are going to be at the end of the year. I'm concerned about what their numbers are today, what they do today to help us win a game. That's the focus, that's our mentality: ‘Hey, help us win today and don't focus too much about tomorrow.’ The sky's the limit for both of them, really.”

The same goes for backstop Keibert Ruiz, who put in work during the offseason to ensure he arrived at camp prepared to right the wrongs of last season.

“He took it upon himself to come to Spring Training in the best shape he possibly could, but he's done really well this spring,” Martinez said. “He put a lot of pressure on himself … and he felt awful about last year's results. This year, he's not really worried about the results. He's more worried about being where he needs to be today.”

The Nationals have big expectations for their team. They know the potential their roster holds, and they expect nothing short of the best. And though Washington fans will have to wait until Opening Day to get a glimpse of the 2025 Nationals, the club is confident in its talent and in the prospects waiting in the wings.

“Some of our young guys look really good. Exciting to know that they're well on their way,” Martinez said. “We made some tough decisions early because some young players played really well, but it's good to see they're developing well. And the Triple-A roster, we feel like we could pull some guys from there if we need them.

“... [Our guys] are itching to go. The last few days, they've all commented that Spring Training is a little long -- they can say that because they're young. For the older guys, it's a little different, but they're ready. They're ready to go. So we're excited that we get to see those guys play every day and see what they can do in a full season.”