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.

Twenty-four hours before the 2024 MLB Draft, the Nationals traded a key member of their Major League bullpen to look ahead to the future.

The Nationals entered the All-Star break 44-53 and six games back from the final National League Wild Card spot. As we’ve seen in recent years, the second half can bring significant changes, from the Trade Deadline to Major League callups. Let’s take a look at the Nats at this point and what to watch for the remainder of the season.

One second-half goal: Continue to build toward the future
Shortstop CJ Abrams being named an All-Star at only 23 years old exemplifies the Nationals’ youth movement.

Four Pipeline Top 30 prospects already have made their Major League debuts this season and are seeing regular playing time: MLB’s No. 2 overall prospect James Wood; two impactful members of the Nats' starting rotation, DJ Herz (Nationals’ No. 13 prospect) and Mitchell Parker; and starting third baseman Trey Lipscomb.

The second half of the season will be a valuable opportunity for these young players to gain experience and build chemistry, while likely welcoming more prospects to the big league stage.

Likely Trade Deadline strategy: Continue to sell
The Nationals have had success in recent years swapping expiring contracts for packages of prospects. They already took a similar approach on Saturday when they traded 29-year-old setup reliever Hunter Harvey to the Royals for the No. 39 Draft pick (catcher Caleb Lomavita) and third-base prospect Cayden Wallace, who is now ranked as their No. 6 prospect.

Left fielder/designated hitter Jesse Winker is a top trade candidate. He is having a bounceback season after joining the Nats on a Minor League deal. Players with years left on their contracts who are likely to garner interest include right fielder Lane Thomas and All-Star reliever Kyle Finnegan.

Key player: OF James Wood
Wood, ranked as the Nationals’ No. 1 prospect, made his Major League debut on July 1. He is not only a key to the Nats’ second half of the season, but their future as well.

The 6-foot-7, 21-year-old outfielder who dazzles with power and agility offered a glimpse into his potential in his first week in the Majors, reaching base his first seven days while collecting his first home run, stolen base, multi-RBI game and multihit game.

Wood is slashing .245/.333/.321 with a .654 OPS, seven RBIs, six walks, two stolen bases and a four-game hitting streak in his 14 games before the All-Star break.

Prospect to watch: OF Dylan Crews
With Wood called up this month, the question now is, when will Crews join him? Crews, ranked as the Nats’ No. 2 prospect and No. 4 prospect overall, is playing in his first pro season since being drafted No. 2 overall last July out of LSU.

Crews was promoted from Double-A to Triple-A in mid-June and named to the National League Futures Game squad. In 20 games with the Red Wings, Crew is batting .253 with five doubles, three home runs, 11 RBIs and five stolen bases.

MLB Pipeline projects Crews’ Major League ETA as this season.