Washington Nationals
Draft History
2024
Jake Irvin - protection
25 - Luis Matos
55 - Andrew Nardi
71 - Tommy Henry
85 - Pablo Reyes
101 - Trevor May
115 - Jacob Young
145 - George Soriano
2023
C.J. Abrams - protection
47 - Cionel Perez
138 - Ryan O'Hearn
2022
Josiah Gray - protection
18 - Chris Flexon
27 - Ryan Thompson
57 - Rodolfo Castro
87 - Jake Burger
117 - Hunter Strickland
147 - Paulo Espino
2021
Luis Garcia - protection
15 - Trevor Rosenthal
60 - Kyle Cody
63 - Santiago Espinal
68 - Caleb Thielbar
118 - Estevan Florial
120 - Rafael Dolis
150 - Tzu-Wei Lin
180 - Ben Braymer
2020
Carter Kieboom - protection
48 - Alex Young
131 - Mike Freeman
146 - Lucas Sims
2019
Juan Soto - protection
56 - Ryne Stanek
90 - Curt Casali
116 - Kohl Stewart
135 - Wander Suero
2018
Victor Robles - protection
18 - Leury Garcia
20 - Carlos Asuaje
50 - Eric Fedde
110- Chasen Shreve
2017
Lucas Giolito - protection
38 - Derek Law
52 - Seth Lugo
56 - Christian Friedrich
116 - Dae-Ho Lee
146 - Ty Kelly
2016
Trea Turner - protection
27 - Hector Olivera
87 - Trevor Gott
109 - Pedro Ciriaco
117 - Pedro Severino
147 - Sammy Solis
2015
Michael A. Taylor - protection
101 - Aaron Barrett
109 - Blaine Hardy
138 - Chris Gimenez
2014
Anthony Rendon - protection
30 - Jonathan Schoop
104 - Nate Karns
113 - Brendan Harris
120 - Rene Rivera
2013
Bryce Harper - protection
1 - Yu Darvish
13 - Derek Norris
29 - Ryan Cook
2012
Brad Peacock - protection
3 - Paul Goldschmidt
13 - J.D. Martinez
40 - Rubby de la Rosa
80 - Chase d'Arnaud
90 - Tim Federowicz
134 - Chris Marrero
2011
Stephen Strasburg - protection
48 - Bruce Chen
78 - Will Rhymes
79 - Shelly Duncan
86 - Jay Gibbons
138 - Pedro Ciriaco
2010
Ian Desmond - protection
65 - Shawn Camp
69 - Koji Uehara
82 - Omir Santos
99 - Eliezer Alonzo
2009
Collin Balester - protection
22 - Chris Getz
52 - Travis Ishikawa
70 - Garrett Mock
99 - Raul Chavez
2008
Matt Chico - protection
26 - Wladimir Balentien
30 - Radhames Liz
60 - Eugenio Velez
90 - Sean Gallagher
92 - Cha-Seung Baek
121 - Jorge Velandia
2007
Michael O'Connor - protection
64 - Ross Gload
90 - Shawn Hill
109 - Russ Ortiz
150 - Paul Bako
2006
Ryan Zimmerman - protection
17 - Chris Duffy
59 - Adam Wainwright
101 - Brandon Watson
117 - Brian Moehler
141 - Tony Blanco
142 - Pete LaForest
149 - Joey Eischen
2005
Terrmel Sledge - protection
39 - Adrian Gonzalez
59 - Calvin Pickering
106 - Wilson Delgado
119 - Francisco Cruceta
2004
Claudio Vargas - protection
43 - Chad Cordero
75 - Curt Leskanic
85 - Billy McMillan
142 - Felix Sanchez
145 - Raul Chavez
2003
Endy Chavez - protection
1 - Brett Myers
4 - Victor Martinez
25 - Francisco Rodriguez
41 - Miguel Asencio
55 - Mike Crudale
115 - Travis Driskill
2002
Brad Wilkerson - protection
24 - Cesar Izturis
31 - Dave Williams
90 - Scott Chiasson
143 - Kevin Brown
2001
82 - Doug Creek
93 - Jason Tyner
118 - Scott Servais
148 - Brady Clark
Past Owners:
Wes Oddan 1992-1994
John Drury 1989-1991
(formerly the Montreal Expos until 2007)
Overall Record
Win Loss Pct
3152 2331 .575
Est. 1989
Owner: Ed Gaeraths - 1995
NBC-Dynasty Champions - 2005, 2007, 2013, 2020
National League Pennant
1996
2005
2007
2013
2020
NL East Pennant
1989
1990
2000
2002
2003
2005
2007
2013
2018
2020
2023
NL Wild Card
1995
1996
1999
2004
2015
2016
2019
2021
2024
Nationals 1st trimester Instruction sheet
Washington Nationals Awards Winners
Most Valuable Player
1999 - Larry Walker
Cy Young Award
2020 - Justin Verlander
2013 - Stephen Strasburg
Fireman Relief Award
2013 - Fernando Rodney
Rookie of the Year
2013 - Bryce Harper
Silver Sluggers
2021 - Juan Soto - OF
2021 - Trea Turner - SS
2020 - Anthony Rendon - 3B
2013 - Ian Desmond - SS
2007 - Vlad Guerrero - OF
2002 - Larry Walker - OF
Hit for Cycle
2024
Trea Turner vs Cincinnati Reds (Opening Day)
Nationals 2nd trimester Instruction sheet
2025 Washington Nationals
Overview: Following the surprising off-season departure of one premier player, it is impossible to guess what surprises might arise next from the front office. Fans never thought they’d be asked to part ways with their beloved Juan Soto. But in a moment of fantasy mirrors reality, depart he did. To the Big Bad Yankees, to boot. This surprise suggests management is committed to a rebuild in 2025. That’s not to say the team won’t compete. At present this squad possesses enough talent to keep the division title within view.
Starting Pitching: With exception of aging ace Seth Lugo, this is a young and developing assembly of arms. MacKenzie Gore, Jake Irvin, Brandon Pfaadt (one of the key components of the Soto trade), and Griffin Canning (also newly arrived via Reds) are all a bit below average. But time remains for them to hone their craft and contribute in the future. With the exception of Gore, this group will be very difficult to run against and a true rebuild would also entertain thoughts of moving Lugo to a playoff contender mid-season. As of now Grade: C+
Relief Pitching: Like Cincinnati, the Nats will struggle in close and late situations. Hector Neris is presumably the closer, but how effective he’ll be in that role is in question. The setup guys presently on hand won’t provide much meaningful help either. There are several gaps to fill here and how they are filled will say much about how serious management is about pestering the Reds.
Catchers: Regardless of which aging backstop finds himself hitting at the bottom of the lineup, opposing baserunners will find themselves tempted to run. Thankfully, most of the pitching staff tends to hold runners tight. Sean Murphy and Curt Casali don’t offer a whole lot of promise nor will they be eligible to cover all the starts. A shot of youth here would be ideal, but that’s not always an easy ask. Grade: D
Infield: Though he’ll likely spend most of the season at DH (or get traded), I will include Bryce Harper as apart of this group. A significant chunk of the offensive output this season will be generated by the infield. Harper and Paul Goldschmidt will hit in yhe heart of the order and drive in plenty of runs. Luis Garcia Jr. will cover 2B and contributes some speed. His DP partner, Trea Turner, will deliver another top-notch season at short. Jake Burger has 40 homer potential at third. Defensively this group is a mixed bag, with very good defenders at first and short, while second and third will likely lead to a bit of grumbling from the pitching staff. These shortcomings leave me just shy of giving this group an A. Grade: B+
Outfield: The Nationals presently possess an entire lineup’s worth of outfielders on their roster. The most striking fact is this: of the nine, only two are above the age of 27. What’s more, speculators predict that Washington is likely to spend the first overall pick on yet another 22-year old outfielder. Given the context of all this depth, Juan Soto’s departure feels far less shocking. Youngster Jacob Young will provide speed, excellent defense in center, and a consistent bat in the lineup every day. Protection pick James Wood projects as splitting time with Victor Robles on one corner while veteran Ryan O’Hearn will man the other. It might make sense to trade one or more of these outfielders and I expect it will eventually happen. The depth and upside here equals Grade: B+
Conclusion: Soto may have flown the coop, but even without him this still promises to be one of the top offenses in the NL. They will score plenty. The problem is that their opponents will as well. As is, I do see the Nats finishing second behind the Reds. But if a big-time rebuild happens (i.e., harper/Lugo/O’Hearn are removed from the roster) then the Nats will see their season trending more like the Rangers and Mets. Which might well be what management decides to do.