What's in store for the Nats this season?

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.

The Nationals open the 2024 season on Thursday afternoon at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, embarking on another year of development and building toward the future.

Washington is coming off of a 16-win improvement in 2023. The starting rotation is returning -- with Josiah Gray tabbed as the Opening Day starter -- as is the late-inning duo of Kyle Finnegan and Hunter Harvey to anchor the efficient bullpen. In the field, Lane Thomas is coming off a breakout season and CJ Abrams looks to continue his savviness on the bases.

With the offseason signings of Joey Gallo, Nick Senzel and Dylan Floro, along with the Spring Training additions of Matt Barnes, Derek Law, Eddie Rosario and Jesse Winker, the Nats have added experience to its core of young players.

Here are five things to look for this season.

What needs to go right? Improved offense

The Nationals finished last in home runs in the NL last season. As an option to boost their offense, they signed Gallo to a one-year deal (with a mutual option for 2025). The veteran is looking to have a turnaround performance after batting .177 last season with the Twins. He has displayed power -- he belted 21 homers in ‘23 -- but can that translate into consistency at the plate? Gallo has not hit over .200 since ‘19 with Texas. The Nats have had success in recent years with players in similar situations, like Kyle Schwarber and Jeimer Candelario.

Great unknown: How soon will the top prospects debut?

The Nationals invited 16 of their top 30 prospects to Major League camp, where Dylan Crews (MLB No. 7 overall prospect, Nationals No. 1), James Wood (MLB No. 14, Nationals No. 2), Brady House (MLB No. 48, Nationals No. 3), Robert Hassell III (Nationals No. 8) remained until the final weekend, and Trey Lipscomb (No. 16) was with the team until Tuesday. The Nats do not want to call up their prospects until they are ready to play every day on the Major League level: Crews will start at Double-A Wilmington, and Wood at Triple-A Rochester. Now the question is, when will those callups be?

Team MVP will be ... SS CJ Abrams

At only 23 years old, Abrams already has shown the impact he can make. Expect it to be even greater this season. Abrams set the Nationals team record (2005-present) last year with 47 stolen bases; he also ranked fifth among all players on the season and first post-All-Star break (33). Abrams will return to the leadoff spot, where he thrived after he was moved there on July 7. He batted .257 with 11 of his 18 home runs while hitting first in the order. In the field, Abrams led all shortstops in double plays turned and putouts. He also had the highest range factor per nine innings at his position.

Team Cy Young will be ... LHP MacKenzie Gore

Gore went 7-10 with a 4.42 ERA in 136 1/3 frames last season. The 25-year-old southpaw nearly doubled his innings total from his rookie to sophomore year in 2023. Gore’s performance was highlighted by a team-high 151 strikeouts. He also ranked seventh among NL pitchers with 9.97 strikeouts per nine innings (minimum of 135 innings). The Nats tabbed Gore to start the home opener at Nationals Park on April 1.

Bold prediction: Trey Lipscomb will log the most MLB playing time among Nats prospects

Several prospects are projected to make their Major League debut this season, per MLB Pipeline, including Crews and Wood, but Lipscomb left a lasting impression as the final prospect remaining in big league camp. Because of his defensive versatility, Lipscomb could be utilized around the entire infield when called up to the Nats. Manager Dave Martinez said he would like Lipscomb to play every day when he reaches the Majors.