There are 57 players set to report to Nationals spring training in the next week-plus, 28 of them position players, 29 of them pitchers. That number is a little smaller than in some previous years, but it probably underscores the likelihood of several more free agent signings during these final days of the offseason, or even during the first few weeks of camp.
For now, though, this is your team. Only 26 of them will head north at the end of March and make the Opening Day roster. Obviously, some of them are in far better position to make the club than others, but everyone will get a chance to play in front of the big league coaching staff and front office in West Palm Beach, Fla., and make a case for himself.
You know most of these guys, but you probably don’t know all of them. So with that in mind, let’s run through the entire camp roster, with some quick thoughts on each entering the spring. We did position players yesterday, so today’s let’s run through the pitchers …
DAISON ACOSTA, RHP
The 26-year-old reliever joined the Nats organization last season and put up some impressive numbers at Double-A Harrisburg (2.89 ERA, 1.189 WHIP, 73 strikeouts in 53 innings). He got a non-roster invitation to camp this spring, where he’ll have a chance to prove if his stuff works against big league hitters.
JOAN ADON, RHP
Despite being designated for assignment this winter, the righty is still here, having cleared waivers and been outrighted off the 40-man roster. It would take a lot for him to earn his way back to the majors at this point, though.
CADE CAVALLI, RHP
After a lost 2024 trying to return from his 2023 Tommy John surgery, the clock is now ticking on the 2020 first round pick. First he must prove he’s healthy and able to pitch every five days. Then he must prove he can pitch well (probably at Triple-A) before earning a shot in D.C.
JOSE A. FERRER, LHP
The 24-year-old is the only left-handed reliever back from last season, putting some extra pressure on him to step up. The Nats love his arm and makeup; it’s now time for him to show he can be effective as a consistent late-inning arm.
MACKENZIE GORE, LHP
With Patrick Corbin gone and Josiah Gray rehabbing, the Opening Day assignment is available, and the Nats would love for the soon-to-be 26-year-old to seize it. As always, the key is consistency. We know how dominant he is when he’s on. Now, can he continue to minimize his off-nights?
JOSIAH GRAY, RHP
Last year’s Opening Day starter faces a long road back from his Tommy John surgery and internal brace procedure. He just marked the six-month milestone by throwing for the first time. If everything goes as hoped, he could be pitching again late in the season.
MARQUIS GRISSOM JR., RHP
The son of the former Expos outfielder is a 23-year-old reliever getting his first shot in big league camp. His 2.21 ERA and 1.057 WHIP in 41 games with Single-A Wilmington and Double-A Harrisburg were impressive, but he’s still got to show he can do it at higher levels.
CLAY HELVEY, RHP
The 28-year-old reliever joined the organization after six seasons in the minors with the Giants, during which he had a 4.94 ERA and 1.502 WHIP. The Nats are hoping his 12.3 strikeouts per nine innings last season at Triple-A makes him a sleeper candidate.
COLE HENRY, RHP
Once regarded as one of the organization’s top pitching prospects, he has amassed only 128 1/3 innings over four professional seasons due to injuries, with elevated ERAs at Double-A and Triple-A. Now 25, he’ll get another look, but he’s fallen down the depth chart at this point.
DJ HERZ, LHP
One of the most pleasant surprises of 2024 returns needing to pitch well enough to retain his big league rotation spot after the club signed veteran Michael Soroka and re-signed Trevor Williams. He’s got plenty of upside, if he can find some consistency and force his way back into a regular starting job.
JAKE IRVIN, RHP
The right-hander has exceeded expectations each of his first two MLB seasons and pitched like an All-Star in the first half of 2024. Is there another level for him to reach this year? The Nats sure hope so, making him a solid No. 2 candidate.
ANDRY LARA, RHP
One of the organization’s blue chip Latin American signings, he was added to the 40-man roster this winter and thus will pitch in big league camp for the first time. He’s only 22, with only 19 starts at Double-A, but he remains a guy to watch in the long term.
DEREK LAW, RHP
The workhorse reliever returns for a second season in D.C., hoping to duplicate his 75 appearances, 90 innings and 2.60 ERA. At the moment, he looks like the primary setup man, pending any more bullpen additions this spring.
JORGE LOPEZ, RHP
If the season started today, the 32-year-old might well be Davey Martinez’s closer, though he owns only 31 career saves and a 5.25 ERA in 282 big league games. He’s probably better suited to a setup role, but unless and until the team signs a more accomplished arm, he probably has the ninth inning.
BRAD LORD, RHP
The 25-year-old had dominant numbers at Double-A Harrisburg (8-1, 1.40 ERA, 1.033 WHIP) but took a step back in a brief stint at Triple-A Rochester. He won’t make the club out of spring training, but could he burst onto the scene at some point like Jake Irvin in 2023 and Mitchell Parker and DJ Herz in 2024?
SHINNOSUKE OGASAWARA, LHP
The first free agent the Nationals have ever signed directly from Japan will be something of a mystery as spring training begins. He’s a pitch-to-contact guy, so his command will have to be excellent. The big question: Does he make the team as a starter or long reliever, or does he get optioned to Triple-A to prove himself first?
MITCHELL PARKER, LHP
He made the most of his opportunity, starting 29 games as a rookie. But now there’s more rotation depth here, so he needs to prove he deserves to retain his spot, both with better pitching performances and a new commitment to fielding his position.
KONNOR PILKINGTON, LHP
The 27-year-old made 11 starts for the Guardians in 2023 but had some unsightly Triple-A numbers last year with the Diamondbacks (albeit in a terrible pitcher’s league). He’s probably headed to Rochester, but he’ll get a chance to show the organization what he’s got.
EVAN REIFERT, RHP
This year’s Rule 5 draft pick is a 25-year-old reliever who had dominant numbers for the Rays’ Double-A affiliate (1.96 ERA, 0.919 WHIP, 65 strikeouts in 41 1/3 innings). As always, though, it’s a challenge for Rule 5 picks to succeed in the majors, with no ability to be sent down. Can he break the mold?
ORLANDO RIBALTA, RHP
The towering reliever made four appearances for the Nats late last season, not really enough to gauge his long-term chances. He had big strikeout numbers in the minors, though, so he’s worth another look.
JACKSON RUTLEDGE, RHP
The 2019 first round pick has been bypassed by several other young starters, so it’s hard to tell how he really fits into the plan anymore. His best chance, to be honest, might be as a reliever.
EDUARDO SALAZAR, RHP
Acquired in midseason, the reliever had a 2.96 ERA in 25 games despite a 1.573 WHIP and low 2-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. If the Nats sign several experienced relievers this spring, he probably gets squeezed out of the mix.
JACK SINCLAIR, RHP
The 2021 draft pick earned a big league camp invite after delivering a 2.20 ERA and 0.959 WHIP in 43 relief appearances at Double-A Harrisburg. Like so many others in this camp, he hasn’t yet pitched at Triple-A, so that’s probably where he’s ticketed before the team considers a final promotion.
MICHAEL SOROKA, RHP
The Nats are counting on his late season surge in the White Sox bullpen as evidence he can recapture the form that made him a top rookie starter for the Braves in 2019. Given his $9 million salary, he would seem to be a lock to make the rotation. But the leash could be short if he struggles.
TYLER STUART, RHP
The tall righty acquired from the Mets for Jesse Winker gets his first look in major league camp. He’s likely destined for the Rochester rotation to begin the year, with a chance to earn a shot in D.C. if a spot opens.
JARLIN SUSANA, RHP
The final piece in the Juan Soto trade gets his first chance in big league camp. He turns 21 next month, and he hasn’t even reached Double-A yet. But it will be fun to see that triple-digit fastball in Grapefruit League play for the first time.
MASON THOMPSON, RHP
Nearly one year removed from his second career Tommy John surgery, the reliever will need to prove he’s healthy again and try to earn a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. If he can pull it off, that will be a nice boost for this team. But it’s a lot to ask of any pitcher at this stage.
TREVOR WILLIAMS, RHP
Which version of Williams will the Nats get in his second two-year contract with the team: The guy who struggled mightily in 2023, or the guy who cruised in 2024 before hurting his elbow? They’re paying him $7 million a year to hopefully pick up where he left off last season.
ZACH BRZYKCY, RHP
The reliever’s cup of coffee last September wasn’t anything too special, but he has long been liked within the organization. Given the current lack of bullpen depth, he should get a legitimate look this spring.