Pre-Draft Report: Nationals

The Washington Nationals are trying to follow up an unexpected playoff run in their KPSL expansion season by taking another step forward in 2025, but with some tricky decisions ahead and holes to fill in the draft. We're under no illusion that our 2024 squad was much more than average. So what's next? 

The Nats come into 2025 still carrying a lot of useful -- if not great -- SP innings. Cristopher Sanchez, Carlos Rodon, and Nick Lodolo among others are ready to hurl. So to speak. The bullpen still needs some arms but that is nothing new for the Nats. We're always looking for good starters, though. 

On the hitting side, we rank highly in OBP in the Cilurso Baseball Report but the question is whether anybody can drive all these potential baserunners home. 3B Eugenio Suarez turned in another nice season, C Tyler Stephenson is solid behind the plate, and LF Jurickson Profar jumps up to the 25-man roster with a very good card. 

We mix and match the rest of the roster to fill out the lineup, with the requisite lefty mashers like Tyler O'Neill ready to pound portsiders. Uncarded last year, Rhys Hoskins and Gavin Lux will contribute in 2025. Defense - never a strong suit of GM Jeff Bathurst's teams -- looms as a weak spot.