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 second half of the season on Friday in St. Louis with a 36-54 record. They are on a two-game winning streak, having last faced the AL West-leading Rangers, and are 4-6 in their past 10 contests.

“This group doesn’t give up; they play hard for 27 outs,” manager Dave Martinez said of the Nats in the first half. “We’ve got a long way to go. Keep that energy, keep that positivity, go out there and compete at the highest level every day.”

The Nats have experienced the effects of a developing team with growing young talent. Six players made their Major League debut in the first half, and the middle infield is manned by a duo born in the 2000s. Watch for more players to get their opportunity in the bigs following the Trade Deadline, when the Nats are expected to be sellers again (more on that below).

First-half stats

NL offense rankings:
Batting average -- third (.261)
On-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS -- 12th (.318/.399/.717)
Strikeouts -- fewest (633)
Homers, RBIs, runs scored, walks -- last (78, 356, 373, 223)
Stolen bases -- 13th (52)

NL pitching rankings:
ERA -- 13th (4.76)
Saves -- T-seventh (23)
Home runs allowed -- second most (124)
WHIP -- 14th (1.48)
Opponents’ batting average -- 13th (.270) 

What we learned in the first half

There have been ups and downs with learning curves while the Nationals' plans to build their next young core take shape this season. On the Major League level, Josiah Gray earned his first All-Star selection and MacKenzie Gore has shown signs of dominance on the mound, while the middle infield of second base Luis García and shortstop CJ Abrams is continuing to gel defensively. In the Minors, outfielder James Wood rose to the No. 5 prospect in all of baseball.

Likely Trade Deadline strategy: Build for future

Just as they have done the past two Deadlines, the Nationals are expected to be sellers. Their roster is constructed with several veterans on expiring contracts who could be moved to acquire younger players for Washington’s future. Notable players on one-year deals are third baseman Jeimer Candelario, left fielder Corey Dickerson, first baseman Dominic Smith and right-hander Carl Edwards Jr.

Key player: Lane Thomas

Thomas has been the Nationals' most productive hitter this season, posting numbers that warranted All-Star consideration. He leads the team in almost all offensive statistical categories, and he ranks in the top 10 among NL players in hits (fourth, 107), batting average (fourth, .302), doubles (tied for sixth, 23) and runs scored (10th, 60). Thomas is under team control with the Nats for two years, but he could garner interest at the Trade Deadline.

Prospect to watch: OF James Wood (No. 5 overall, Nationals No. 1)

Wood, a 20-year-old, 6-foot-6, 240-pound outfielder, has been turning heads in his first full season in the Nationals organization since being acquired from the Padres in the Juan Soto blockbuster trade. Wood advanced from High-A to Double-A in the first half of the season, during which he slashed .262/.360/.520 with 14 home runs. Wood was named to the 2023 Futures Game, and it would not be a complete surprise to see him make his Major League debut this season.