A look back at memorable Nats debuts

WASHINGTON -- The Nationals already saw one of their blue-chip prospects make his MLB debut this year when James Wood played his first game on July 1. Now they'll get their first look at another one of the top talents in the Minors, with outfielder Dylan Crews making his Major League debut on Monday against the Yankees.

Wood's debut had been anticipated since the ultra-talented outfielder was acquired from the Padres in the Juan Soto blockbuster at the 2022 Trade Deadline, while Crews was the No. 2 overall Draft pick in 2023 after winning the Golden Spikes Award while leading LSU to a College World Series title. Wood was MLB Pipeline's No. 3 overall prospect and the Nationals' top prospect at the time of his debut, distinctions that both now belong to Crews.

• What to expect from Crews in the big leagues

The arrivals of Wood and Crews sparked a trip down memory lane to look back at other debuts in Nats team history (2005-present) that were met with hype and excitement.

As we look back, we can also peek ahead to another top 100 talent the Nats have waiting in the wings in third baseman Brady House (MLB No. 69, Nationals No. 2, ETA 2025).

1. 3B Ryan Zimmerman
Sept. 1, 2005
Virginia Beach native Zimmerman was selected by the Nationals out of the University of Virginia with their first Draft pick (No. 4 overall in 2005) since relocating to Washington, D.C. Zimmerman appeared in only 67 Minor League games before being called up from Double-A to make his Major League debut.

In the seventh inning at Turner Field, Zimmerman got the nod as a pinch-hitter. He struck out looking against Jim Brower. Zimmerman went on to play 20 games over the remainder of the 2005 season and claimed the franchise record for most games played (1,799) throughout his 16-year career with the Nats.

2. RHP Stephen Strasburg
June 8, 2010
Strasburg became the Nationals’ first No. 1 overall pick in 2009. One day shy of a year later, he took the mound at Nationals Park for his highly anticipated debut, known as “Strasmas.”

In front of 40,315 fans, Strasburg dominated with 14 strikeouts against the Pirates over seven innings. He allowed only two runs off four hits, including a home run, and did not issue a walk across an efficient 94 pitches. Strasburg became just the second pitcher since 1987 to record 14-plus strikeouts on less than 100 pitches. He also became the second to strike out seven consecutive batters in his debut.

Strasburg earned his first of 113 career wins with the Nats that day.

3. OF Bryce Harper
April 28, 2012
The June after the Nats selected Strasburg with the first overall pick in the Draft, they chose Harper in the same spot. Two years later, a 19-year-old Harper debuted at Dodger Stadium.

Playing left field and batting seventh, Harper went 1-for-3. He connected on a line-drive double to center field in the seventh inning off Chad Billingsley and drove in his first RBI with a ninth-inning sacrifice fly off Javy Guerra.

That performance kicked off a Rookie of the Year performance and Harper’s first All-Star selection

4. 3B Anthony Rendon
April 21, 2013
In 2011, Washington selected Rendon sixth overall out of Rice University. He was immediately immersed in a division rivalry when he debuted at Citi Field against the Mets. Rendon played the hot corner and batted sixth in a Sunday matinee.

Rendon went 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts and two fly balls. The following day, he recorded his first hit with an RBI double at Nationals Park.

5. OF Juan Soto
May 20, 2018
Soto made his Major League debut at age 19, three years after signing with the organization as an international free agent. He pinch-hit for Adrián Sánchez in the eighth inning against the Dodgers at Nationals Park. While his first at-bat was a strikeout against Erik Goeddel, Soto homered the following day in his first big league start.

He went on to finish second in Rookie of the Year voting that season.

Honorable mention: SS Trea Turner, Aug. 21, 2015; RHP Lucas Giolito, June 28, 2016; OF Victor Robles, Sept. 7, 2017; RHP Cade Cavalli, Aug. 26, 2022