Washington Nationals’ young outfielder James Wood is blossoming into a bona fide star. His emergence became more evident in Washington’s 7-4 win Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels.

After ripping a first-inning single and grounding out in the fourth, the Angels avoided pitching to Wood for the remainder of the game. Instead, L.A. intentionally walked Wood in four consecutive plate appearances.

Wood joined an exclusive list that includes Andre Dawson, Barry Bonds, Roger Maris, Manny Ramirez, and Gary Templeton, becoming the sixth MLB player to be intentionally walked four times in a single game. Bonds, who got walked an MLB-record 688 times, was the last to get the royal treatment in 2004.

James Wood was one of the pieces in the haul the Nationals acquired from the San Diego Padres in the Juan Soto trade. CJ Abrams appeared to be the centerpiece in the blockbuster trade, yet Wood had the highest ceiling of the prospects acquired.

In his first full MLB season, the 6-foot-7 Wood has a combination of raw power, plate discipline, and advanced approach metrics that forces teams to load the bases rather than face him one-on-one.

All of Wood’s intentional walks were with at least one runner in scoring position. The first deliberate walk loaded the bases in the fifth inning with one out of a tied game. The Nationals scored on the next plate appearance off Luis Garcia Jr’s fielder choice.

Wood’s second walk occurred in the sixth following a one-run double by Abrams that tied the game at 3-3. The third was in the ninth, with the game tied at 4-4 and Jacob Young on third.

Last, Wood drew an intentional walk in the 11th inning. The Nationals led 7-4 after Abrams ripped a two-run triple. Wood reached base five times in total. However, he did not score a run, as the batters behind him were unable to deliver him home.

James Wood blossoming into power hitter

Still, Wood’s rare feat is remarkable and illustrates how the once-top prospect is becoming a stud at the plate. Following the huge day, Wood is second only to Abrams with a .283 batting average. Yet, Wood leads the team in nearly every other primary offensive stat.

Wood ranks in the top 10 of MLB with 22 home runs, 64 runs batted in, 54 walks, a .386 on-base percentage, and a .552 slugging percentage. His stats make it unthinkable he was not an All-Star finalist among outfielders.

Ironically, Soto is a finalist now with the New York Mets. However, Wood’s stats are very comparable to those of the veteran. Despite the Nationals being in last place in the NL East standings, Wood has stood out as an integral part of the club’s future.

He’s making a name for himself. Judging by the Angels’ treatment Sunday, the rest of MLB is taking notice of James Wood.

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Any Cleveland Guardians fans still on the fence about Lane Thomas had a change of heart Saturday. The outfielder struggled months after getting traded to the Guardians from the Washington Nationals. But in Game 5 of the ALDS, with the game tied 1-1, Thomas showed up clutch in the moment.

Thomas crushed a go-ahead grand slam off Detroit Tigers’ ace Tarik Skubal in the fifth inning.

The home run ignited the fans packed into Cleveland’s Progressive Field.
Thomas later drove in another ring in the seventh, completing a day that will last in Guardians history. Thomas finished the game 2-for-4 with five runs driven in.

Cleveland acquired Thomas in a trade on July 29 from the Nationals. In exchange, the Nationals received prospects Alex Clemmey, Rafael Ramirez Jr., and Jose Tena.

Tena immediately impacted the Nationals after getting called up to the majors. The young infielder slashed .274/.305/.363 with three home runs, 15 RBI, and six stolen bases in 41 games.

Meanwhile, Thomas struggled mightily. He hit .209/.267/.390 in 53 games. The contrast in performances sparked skepticism about the trade from Guardians fans and media.

However, Thomas started to heat up in the season’s final month. He hit .264 with a .855 OPS in September. All seven of his home runs and 20 of 23 RBI with Cleveland occurred in the regular season’s final month.

Thomas carried that momentum over into the postseason. He hit .316 with a .947 OPS, two home runs, and nine RBI in the ALDS against the Tigers. Saturday’s grand slam was a culmination. Guardians fans can hop aboard the Lane Thomas train, heading into the ALCS against the New York Yankees.

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Once again, Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies’ season ends in disappointment despite cruising to an N.L. East division, the Phillies lasted one series in the playoffs. In four games, the New York Mets, divisional rivals, eliminated the Phillies in the N.L. Division Series.

Now 13 years into his MLB career, Harper is still without an elusive World Series ring. The two-time NL MVP thought to have his best chance this season. The Phillies stockpiled a payroll of nearly $250 million.

Yet the top of the Phillies’ order, including Harper with Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, and Nick Castellanos, couldn’t carry the team against the red-hot Mets.

Unlike Harper, Schwarber and Turner have had the experience of winning a World Series title. Schwarber with the Chicago Cubs in 2016, and Turner with Harper’s former team, the Washington Nationals, in 2019.

While with Washington, Harper and the Nationals couldn’t cash an improbable run into an N.L. East division title in 2012 (Harper’s rookie year) into a World Series title. For seven seasons, Harper came up short with Washington.

Harper won the 2012 N.L. Rookie of the Year and claimed his first NL MVP award in 2015. He was the face of the franchise. Yet, when he became a free agent in 2018, the Nationals and he couldn’t come to terms on a mega contract. Instead, Harper had to find what he was looking for financially with Philadelphia.

During his introduction to the Phillies fans, Harper had a slip of the tongue, saying he wants to “bring a title back to D.C.“

The misstep went viral in 2019. Little did Harper know he would bring a title to D.C. indirectly. In the first season without Harper, the Nationals finally got over the proverbial hump. They turned a 19-31 record into a World Series title with Harper’s replacement, a 20-year-old young phenom, Juan Soto.

What Harper was looking for by going to Philadelphia landed in Washington immediately after his departure.

Bryce Harper has chased the cloud hovering over him for the past six years. He won a second N.L. MVP in 2021, reached the World Series in 2022, and the NLCS in 2023. Yet, he still didn’t get to taste victory. His lone World Series appearance ended in a loss to the Houston Astros, the team the Nationals defeated in the 2019 World Series.

Harper batted .285/.373/.525 with 30 home runs, 42 doubles, and 87 RBIs in 145 games this season. In the NLDS, he went 4-of-12 at the plate with five strikeouts and one home run. He drove in six runs. However, his efforts couldn’t propel the Phillies.

A lot of players have great careers without winning a championship. However, Harper is chasing a legacy. Whether fair or not, his hefty $330 million, 13-year contract defines Harper’s career and the lack of a World Series title, especially since his former team won it all without him.

He’s still young, 31 years old, and seven years remaining on his contract. However, every year without a championship presumably eats at Harper. A player with a competitive nature understands the narrative that follows him. Wanting to win a World Series was why Harper is now with the Phillies.

Signing with the Phillies would only be considered a success if a World Series gets produced during his time with the team. After Wednesday’s season-ending defeat, the question surfaces: will Bryce Harper ever win a World Series title?

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The honeymoon phase is officially over for CJ Abrams. The Washington Nationals optioned the 23-year-old shortstop to Triple-A Rochester on Saturday. Initially, the move by the Nationals seemed perplexing despite the second-half struggles of Abrams. However, as details emerged, the demotion gained justification.

Abrams got demoted for violating team curfew. He was seen at a Chicago casino at 8:00 a.m. CT on the morning of the Nationals’ game on Friday against the Cubs with the 1:20 p.m. CT pitch.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Abrams got sent back to Washington. He will go to the Nats’ West Palm Beach facility until the end of the season. He won’t play in the majors for the rest of the season.

“I just want it to be known [Abrams’ demotion] wasn’t performance-based,” Martinez said, per Andrew Golden of The Washington Post. “It’s an internal issue. I’m not going to give specifics.”

Martinez assured that Abrams would be better following this incident.

Demotion adds to concerns over recent struggles for CJ Abrams.

Abrams was considered the centerpiece of the 2022 Juan Soto trade. Washington acquired the talented young shortstop as part of its haul from the San Diego Padres for Soto. Last season, he settled into his spot with 18 home runs and 64 RBIs.

This season, Abrams became an All-Star, hitting .268/.343/.489 with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs in 398 plate appearances. The All-Star experience didn’t carry over into the second half of the season. Abrams hit .203/.260/.326. with five homers and 17 RBIs in 204 plate appearances.

Despite the struggles, Abrams appeared to turn the corner the past week, going 7 for his last 14 with two doubles.

Details and immediate ramifications of demotion

Abrams, 23, reportedly stayed Thursday night into Friday morning, just a few hours before the start of Friday’s game. He went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout in that game. The Nats informed Abrams of the demotion Friday night.

Abrams won’t lose service time from the demotion. He already exceeded the threshold of 172 days on the Nats’ MLB roster. However, he will lose about $30,000 of his $752,000 salary by missing the season’s last week.

Getting demoted for staying out all night at a casino seems harsh, especially for a young player who expects to be a part of the nucleus of a team’s rebuild. Yet, Abrams had been warned about off-the-field issues in the past, per Talk Nats.

There could be other factors in this isolated incident. But demoting your franchise-caliber shortstop and publicly stating it wasn’t performance-based doesn’t sound like a one-time thing for Abrams.

Nationals president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo understands he has a young team. The foundation of the clubhouse is young prospects drafted recently or acquired in the Soto and Max Scherzer/Trea Turner trades.

Washington wants to start winning soon. This season, the club has shown flashes of their talented youth. However, the team has 68 wins with eight games remaining. The team won 71 games last season. And now your shortstop blatantly breaks curfew.

The Nationals had to send a message to the rest of the clubhouse. Losing games is acceptable. Players with growing pains and struggling on the field are also allowed. Doing so while showing unprofessionalism isn’t tolerable.

Nationals teammates react to CJ Abrams getting demoted

Teammates commented about Abrams’ situation following the Nationals’ 5-1 win over the Cubs on Saturday. Washington’s pitcher and close friend MacKenzie Gore seemingly didn’t take the news of Abrams’ demotion well.

“CJ’s family. We’ve played together our whole big-league careers. It’s a tough situation for me,” Gore said, per Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports, after pitching seven innings in Saturday’s win. “I’m always going to be there for CJ in this situation. It’s interesting. It was a tough day hearing that. You care about him, so it was tough. We’re close. He’s family. And you know, you lose your best player. It’s a tough day.”

Last season, the Nationals demoted second baseman Luis Garcia late into the season. Garcia’s situation was different, but it was the wake-up call he needed. The now 22-year-old Garcia had the best season of his MLB career with a .280 batting average, 16 home runs, 65 RBIs, 25 doubles, and 21 stolen bases — all are career-highs.

“I can speak from my experience with CJ it’s been great,” veteran infielder Joey Gallo said of CJ Abrams, per Zuckerman. “He’s still a young kid, and I think we all make mistakes. We’ve all talked to him to keep his head up. He really has had a fantastic year. He’s really a high-character guy. He plays the game the right way every day. And he’s a great teammate. I’ve been honored to be able to play with him and share the field with him. Hopefully, he can learn from this and move on and continue to be a great player for his organization.”

Will CJ Abrams use team message as his wake-up call?

The Nationals’ front office is also hoping Abrams learns from this demotion. Hopefully, it’s just a forgettable blemish on an outstanding career. Overall, he had a good year, but the second half of the season and the demotion left a sour note on the 2024 season.

Abrams is eligible for arbitration this offseason for the first time as a Super 2 player. Will his demotion, struggles on the field, and any potential other off-the-field noise affect negotiations? Will it affect the organization’s outlook on him?

The Nationals have a core young talent at every position, including shortstop. Garcia was a shortstop, but the team moved him to second to make room for Abrams. The Nationals drafted Brady House and Sever King in the first round within the past three years as shortstops. That doesn’t include others who have flashed in the minors. The club has plans of playing House and King at other positions, but they can serve as Plan B.

Abrams must regroup and mature from this incident. Ultimately, his future with the Nats depends on it. He has a world of talent and is full of potential. Maybe there’s a reason he struggled to reach his ceiling so far. To become the player he expects to be, he must take the warning and refocus on his craft.

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Dylan Crews continues to amaze in his short time in the Major Leagues. The Nationals rookie outfielder made his big-league debut Monday against the New York Yankees. However, he showed off the attributes that made him the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft by getting a double for his first hit, a stolen base, and scoring a run. Crews carried that momentum into Wednesday with a bang.

Crews got the nod at lead-off for the Nationals in the series finale against the Yankees. He led off the lineup with his first Major League home run.

Dylan Crews jumped on a fastball from Yankees starter Carlos Rodon, launching the ball over the left field wall into the visitors’ bullpen. Rodon stared the ball down in shock at the velocity of Crews’ shot.

In the second inning, another young Nats outfielder, Jacob Young, reached on a bunt -single and scored one batter later off an RBI single from Nasim Nunez. Wood followed up with an RBI single and another stolen base, giving the Nationals a 4-1 lead.

The future of the Washington Nationals is bright.

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The Dylan Crews era in Washington has begun. The Nationals prospect made his MLB debut on Monday. After going 0-for-3 with a walk, Crews got his first Major League hit in his second go-around Tuesday night.

Crews launched a double to left field off New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole in his first at-bat of the night. Crews hooked a 2-0 cutter from Cole into the base of the left field wall.

Every baseball player remembers his first major league hit. Crews will have a nice story behind his, ripping a double off the reigning 2023 AL Cy Young. Cole has built an impeccable resume as a former No. 1 overall pick with six All-Star nods and three first-team All-MLB selections. Thus, Crews will have some stature getting his first hit off Cole.

Dylan Crews has arrived

The Nationals selected Crews with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. Crews had a stellar collegiate career at LSU as a two-time SEC Player of the Year. He also was awarded the 2023 Golden Spikes Award while guiding the Tigers to a Men’s World Series title.

Crews became a core piece of the Nationals’ revamped outfield of young prospects.

He fast-tracked through the minors, hitting .275/.351/.455 with 18 home runs, 30 doubles, and 97 RBIs in 135 games.

Now, Crews joins fellow outfield prospects James Wood and Jacob Young on the Nationals’ roster. Ironically, Crews flew out to Juan Soto in his first at-bat. Soto was once the Nats’ premiere outfield prospect.

Crews drew a walk, but the first game was an experience for the 22-year-old. Tuesday, he got to business. First, he checked off his first MLB. Later in the sixth inning, Crews scored his first MLB run after some nifty baserunning. Crews hit a chopper in front of home plate before taking off to first. His speed forced Yankees catcher Jose Trevino to rush his throw that sailed into right field. The throw allowed Crews to reach second base.

Then, Crews stole third base during the next at-bat. That set the table as Crews scored after Joey Gallo’s grounder got booted by DJ LeMahieu.

A double, stolen base, and run scored — Crews may remember his second game more fondly than his debut.

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Rumors swirled ahead of Tuesday’s MLB trade deadline that the Washington Nationals were among multiple teams interested in former first-round pick Dylan Carlson. Before the clock hit 6:00 pm, the St. Louis Cardinals traded Carlson but not to Washington. Instead, his new team is the Tampa Bay Rays.

All it took for Carlson was struggling 33-year-old reliever Shawn Armstrong, a small price to pay for a once highly-touted prospect. However, the Nationals’ rumored interest may not have been as high as reported.

According to Andrew Golden of the Washington Post, the Nats’ interest in Carlson was greatly exaggerated. One team official told Golden the two sides never talked.

The refute by the club makes sense. Carlson, a 25-year-old outfielder, has been with the Cardinals since 2020 after being a first-round pick in 2016. He emerged as the No. 1 ranked prospect for the Cardinals.

In 2021, 22-year-old Carlson hit 18 home runs, batting .266/.343/.437. Along with his outfield glovework, he posted a 3.1 win above replacement. He finished third in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. However, a series of injuries to his shoulder, ankle, and wrist affected his performance. He is arbitration-eligible in 2025 and won’t hit free agency until 2027.

In the past, the Nationals took a flier on a floundering outfield prospect, Lane Thomas. Washington developed Thomas into a dazzling trade chip. On Monday, the club cashed in trading Thomas, now 28, for three promising prospects.

While Carlson sounded like a replacement for Thomas, the Nationals are in different stages of its rebuild. Washington has a host of young outfield talent led by top prospect James Wood and fellow rookie Jacob Young. That doesn’t include Dylan Crews, the No. 2 overall pick in 2023, Elijah Green, the No. 5 overall draft pick in 2022, Robert Hassell III, Cristhian Vaquero, and Daylen Lile. All of whom have MLB-estimated arrivals within the next two years.

Seeing how Carlson fit into the equation of the Nationals was hard to picture. The Nationals are focusing on developing their homegrown talent. It will be hard enough to figure out where Crews, Hassell, and Green fit in the puzzle next to Wood and Young. Adding Carlson may have been unmanageable.

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In Major League Baseball, teams build through trades and free-agent signings. For the Washington Nationals, the club is currently in the midst of a rebuild. In the past two years, President of Baseball Operations Mike Rizzo has rebuilt the organization essentially from the ground up. While it’s easy to see the light at the end of the tunnel these days, any glimmer of hope back in July 2021 was hard to imagine when the team traded veteran pitcher Jon Lester for an underperforming prospect, Lane Thomas.

Monday, a three-year investment into Lane Thomas paid off for Rizzo and the Nationals. The club traded the now 28-year-old to the Cleveland Guardians for three promising prospects, fitting into the long-term plans of the Nats.

In 2021, the Nationals signed the 37-year-old Lester. The club was just one season removed from being World Series champions. On the surface, Washington hung on to a faint chance they could return to their winning ways after a disappointing 26-34 record in the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season.

However, by July of that year, the Nats’ current core had run its course, and there was no shot of repeating its 2019 championship year. Thus, on July 30, 2021, Rizzo traded Lester to the St. Louis Cardinals for outfielder Lane Thomas.

Lane Thomas developed into appropriate trade

Lester was a seasoned player with a career mark of 196-116 and a 3.64 ERA. He was a five-time All-Star and three-time World Series champion. On the other hand, Thomas had played a mere 84 games in the Major League Baseball. He had a career .172 batting average. Yet, the Nationals saw potential in Thomas and an opportunity to develop the young outfielder.

Thomas clicked right away with the chance to play with the Nationals. He earned a spot in the starting lineup. His versatility allowed him to play all three outfield positions. He also was tabbed at the top of the batting order.

Thomas posted his best career numbers last season, batting .268 with 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in 156 games. His play drew significant attention from other clubs as the trade deadline approached. However, Rizzo remained patient as Thomas had 2.5 years of club control.

Rizzo balked at trade offers and held on to Thomas. The offers didn’t match Thomas’ trade market. While the Nats loaded an impressive group of premiere outfield prospects, the club held on to Thomas, waiting for the right offer to move him.

The Nationals’ patience paid off Monday, as the club moved him to Cleveland. In return, Washington received left-hander Alex Clemmey, shortstop Rafael Ramirez Jr., and infielder José Tena. This trade was a mirror image of the initial trade, with Thomas now the proven veteran getting traded for promising prospects.

Alex Clemmey is a raw, power hurler

Alex Clemmey is a 19-year-old flame thrower who stands 6-foot-6. Clemmey’s fastball ranges from 92-96 mph, topping at 99. The Guardians drafted him in the second round of the 2023 MLB Draft. Clemmey ranked as the Guardians’ eighth-best prospect.

Clemmey also has established a powerful curveball and a slider that hits between 83-86 mph. Control is his most glaring area of improvement. Yet, he recorded 97 strikeouts in 69 1/3 innings in Low-A affiliate Lynchburg. He’ll join a list of promising hurlers as the Nationals search for the core of their next starting rotation.

Rafael Ramirez Jr. has baseball pedigree

Rafael Ramirez is a second-generation MLB player. His father was an All-Star shortstop. The younger Ramirez is also a shortstop. He signed with the Guardians at 16 years old. He made waves in the Dominican Summer League before making his U.S. debut in the Arizona Complex League in 2023.

A contact hitter with the potential of having average raw power, Ramirez has a quick swing. He’ll need a good deal of development at the plate to push for the majors. He hit .187/.301/.309 with four home runs and 23 RBI in 54 games for Low-A Lynchburg.

Jose Tena looks like a pro-ready infielder

Lastly, the Nationals acquired 23-year-old infield, Jose Tena. A 2017 international signing by Cleveland out of the Dominican Republic, Tena stands 5-foot-10. He is an aggressive hitter. He hit .298/.353/.493 with 17 home runs and 90 RBI in 405 plate appearances this season with Triple-A Columbus.

Tena bats left-handed and has the potential to be a hit-for-average major leaguer. However, his aggressiveness leads to one of his flaws, a 25.1% strikeout rate. Still, he has the framework to be an everyday starter. He must curb his aggressiveness to maximize his effect at the plate.

Tena will be under team control through the 2029 season, with arbitrary eligibility starting in 2027.

Lane Thomas played 424 games in a Nationals uniform. He hit .257 with 60 home runs and 60 stolen bases. His three-year span yielded dividends that could spawn three pieces to Mike Rizzo’s long-term strategy.

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In a thrilling display of power and precision, James Wood, the Washington Nationals’ top prospect, hit a decisive three-run home run that led the Nationals to a 5-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds and the weekend series sweep.

The game was evenly poised with two outs in the eighth inning when Wood stepped up to the plate. The 21-year-old rookie, who has been making waves with his power-hitting prowess, faced off against Justin Wilson. With the crowd on the edge of their seats, Wood swung at the first-pitch fastball, sending it soaring 404 feet the opposite way to left field. The crowd erupted as the ball cleared the fence, marking Wood’s second homer since his debut on July 1.

This three-run homer turned the tide in favor of the Nationals, giving them their fifth win in six games. It was a testament to Wood’s potential and a glimpse of what he brings to the Nationals’ lineup. His performance drew the Nationals even with Cincinnati in the wild-card standings as both teams are 47-53.

James Wood powered his way out of slump

Wood ripped a single earlier in the game. Before Sunday’s game, Wood had been in the middle of a slump. After a torrid start following his MLB debut, Wood’s batting average rose as high as .320. However, he had six hits in his last 36 at-bats, none for extra bases entering Sunday’s game.

Wood got dropped to seventh in the batting order. Yet, he responded with an infield single in the second. In the fourth, Wood ripped a ball 109 mph to the left field gap. Unfortunately, he got robbed by a great diving catch.

He powered a ball to the center-field warning track in his third at bat. Yet, Reds outfielder Stuart Fairchild snagged the ball just above the top of the fence. In the eighth, the game tied, Wood made sure not to give any chance to the Reds’ defense.

Wood powered Wilson’s first pitch 404 feet into the left field bleachers.

“He’s got no heartbeat, he just goes out there and competes,” Nationals manager Davey Martinez said following the game.

James Wood also has perseverance. He didn’t allow his reposition in the lineup or his slump to affect him. He kept the bat swinging, smoking every pitch he connected with on Sunday. His three-run home run was more than a game-winning hit. It was a statement by Wood for the Nats and their fans, the start of a long legacy wearing the Curly W.

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The Washington Nationals used the 10th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft on versatile infielder/outfielder Seaver King from Wake Forest. King played shortstop primarily with the Demon Deacons. Shortstop is the position King is most comfortable defensively. However, the Nationals announced him as a third baseman and outfielder.

What position Seaver King will ultimately play for the Nats?

His versatility will be significant in his development. The Nationals have gathered a strong group of young players recently via the draft and trades. One of their core players is CJ Abrams, who the team acquired in the Juan Soto trade in 2022.

Abrams just made his first All-Star Game selection and plays shortstop. Luis Garcia Jr. has settled in recently at second base. Yet, the club has yearned for a third baseman since the departure of Anthony Rendon following the team’s 2019 World Series title.

Brady House, the Nationals’ first-round pick in 2021, was drafted as a shortstop but also is in the plans at third base. King’s ability to play multiple positions will go a long way in his fit with the organization.

Interestingly enough, House and King are close. The two have played together growing up. King was at House’s draft party.

King has played second, short, and third base. He also can play in the outfield. Outfield is also loaded with prospect talent, including baseball’s top prospect James Wood and last year’s second overall pick Dylan Crews.

King’s journey started at Division II after getting overlooked

King’s journey to this point was unconventional and a testament to his perseverance and talent. After getting overlooked by Division I programs, King started his collegiate career at Wingate University, a Division II school.

His exceptional skills were on display. He posted a .399 batting average and held a 47-game hitting streak. His dominance at Wingate ultimately led to his transfer to Wake Forest at the D-I level.

Proved to be MLB talent after transfer to Wake Forest

At Wake Forest, his hitting prowess didn’t waver. He hit .308 with 16 home runs, 64 RBI, and a .954 OPS in 60 games.

A pure contact hitter, King is known for his line drives. If there is a concern, it’s the lack of consistency lifting the ball for power. Yet, he can hang his hat on making contact and getting on base. He has solid speed. He aligns perfectly with the Nationals’ emphasis on versatile and dynamic players.

With the Nats continuing their rebuild, Seaver King can be a promising talent in their farm system. At 6-foot and 21-years-old, King has the experience to excel through the minors. Where he fits ultimately will be interesting. Will it be second base, third base, or could he ultimately join Crews and Wood in the outside?

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