Breakout candidate, prospect to watch: What's in store for Nats in '24?
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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 calendar will turn to a new year in a few days, and with that, Spring Training will be just over a month away.
The Nationals already have addressed key needs this offseason, including signing Nick Senzel to be their everyday third baseman and righty reliever Dylan Floro to bridge innings in the bullpen. Washington still has areas of the roster to address, such as sorting out the first-baseman and designated-hitter role (more on that below).
During this holiday season, let’s look ahead to 2024.
Biggest question to answer before Spring Training
Who will help fill the first-base and DH spots?
The plan is for Joey Meneses, last season’s designated hitter, to spend time back at first base. That leaves a need for another player (or players) to cover at first and DH.
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Internally, the Nationals could tab outfielder Stone Garrett in the DH spot, as he returns from a broken left leg. The righty hitter took nearly just as many at-bats against right-handers (112 ABs, .277 batting average, two home runs) and southpaws (122 ABs, .262 batting average, seven homers) last season.
Expect Washington to continue exploring the free-agent market, searching for lefty hitters who can provide power.
One player poised to have a breakout season
LHP MacKenzie Gore
Gore, the third-overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, is poised to be a key member of the Nats’ rotation of the future. He went 7-10 with a 4.42 ERA in 27 starts (136 1/3 innings) last season -- an increase of 14 starts and 66 1/3 frames from an injury-hampered rookie year with the Padres in 2022.
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Among National League southpaws, Gore ranked third in strikeouts per nine innings with 9.97 (minimum of 135 frames), fifth in strikeouts with 151 and fifth in opponent’s batting average with a .258 mark. The 24-year-old southpaw is looking to build on that momentum in his second full season with Washington.
Prospect to watch in 2024
OF Dylan Crews
Ranked as the Nationals’ No. 1 prospect -- and No. 4 overall -- by MLB Pipeline, Crews is likely to make his Major League debut next season -- one year after being selected No. 2 overall in the 2023 Draft.
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The reigning Golden Spikes Award winner out of LSU jumped to Double-A by the end of his first season of professional baseball. Crews hit .292 with five homers, 29 RBIs and an .845 OPS in 35 games across three Minor League levels.
One prediction for the new year
RHP Hunter Harvey takes over as closer
Harvey picked up his first career save last May, and he has shown the potential to earn the closer job in 2024. Harvey, who has dealt with injuries in the past, is coming off his strongest Major League season yet.
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The right-hander posted a 2.82 ERA across a career-high 60 2/3 innings and 57 appearances, and he was just one of four relievers in 2023 with at least 10 saves and 19 holds. Harvey tied for fourth among NL relievers with a 5.15 SO/BB rate, and he ranked fifth with a 0.94 WHIP. If Harvey stays healthy, he is likely to emerge as the ninth-inning go-to guy.