Breaking down every Nats position player entering camp

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’ll do position players today, then pitchers tomorrow …

CJ ABRAMS, SS
The 2024 All-Star may have biggest spotlight on him of anyone in camp after his surprise, disciplinary demotion in late September. First, he needs to satisfactorily address the situation for the first time, then he needs to prove he can play at an All-Star level the entire season.

RILEY ADAMS, C
The Nationals tendered him a guaranteed contract for $850,000 after a rough 2024 season, but he still needs to earn the No. 2 catching job over Drew Millas and Andrew Knizner. He’s out of options, so the team would have to DFA him and eat his salary if he doesn’t make the roster.

DARREN BAKER, 2B
Reaching the big leagues last September was a major milestone for Dusty’s son, but he faces long odds to stay in the big leagues long-term. He’ll need to not only hit but prove he can play multiple positions as a potential utilityman.

JOSH BELL, DH
The popular veteran returns to the Nats about 2 1/2 years after they traded him to the Padres. His primary responsibility this time around: Hit for more power after totaling only 19 homers last season with the Marlins and Diamondbacks.

ALEX CALL, OF
Given the chance to play everyday for a month after the Lane Thomas trade, he excelled with the best performance of his career before getting shut down with plantar fasciitis. He probably enters camp as the favorite to be the fourth outfielder, barring another signing.

ANDRES CHAPARRO, 1B/DH
Stuck at Triple-A with the D-backs, he got his chance after the Nats acquired him. But the additions of Nathaniel Lowe and Josh Bell, plus the return of Juan Yepez, may make it tough for him to win a roster spot.

DYLAN CREWS, OF
One of the sport’s top prospects got his first taste of the majors late last season. Now it’s time to see the full version of him, with an emphasis on better handling breaking balls and driving more pitches to left field.

LUIS GARCIA JR., 2B
After a long-awaited breakthrough year, the question now facing him: Can he make that performance the new standard? It’s a different kind of pressure than he faced last season, but there is still some pressure to prove it wasn’t a fluke.

STONE GARRETT, OF
His return to the majors (and immediate home run) more than a year after breaking his leg was inspiring. Now it’s back to reality: Can he recapture the power stroke and physical ability to play regularly needed to restart his career?

ROBERT HASSELL III, OF
He won’t draw as much attention in his second big league camp, but the onetime top prospect does have an opportunity to reestablish himself and show club officials he’s nearly ready to make his major league debut.

BRADY HOUSE, 3B
The Nationals haven’t acquired an everyday third baseman yet, so could the job be available to the 2021 first round pick? It would take a phenomenal performance this spring, but if nothing else he can establish that he’s close.

ANDREW KNIZNER, C
The Nationals signed the former Cardinals backup to a minor league deal, giving him a shot at competing with Riley Adams and Drew Millas. He’s probably ticketed for Triple-A Rochester, but he should still get a legitimate look this spring.

DAYLEN LILE, OF
The exciting young outfielder has a lot of fans in the organization, but he’s not viewed in the same light as some of the franchise’s other top outfield prospects. His speed and defense combo, though, could help give him a shot in the long run.

TREY LIPSCOMB, INF
Last spring’s darling is going to need another strong performance to overcome his regular season struggles. He’s proven to have the glove to play in the majors, but at some point he’s got to prove he can hit enough to stick.

CALEB LOMAVITA, C
The 2024 draft pick will participate in major league camp before he’s ever participated in minor league camp, a rare scenario for any ballplayer. He’s got much to learn in the minors still, but what an opportunity for him to spend a month or so working with the big boys.

NATHANIEL LOWE, 1B
Few would have guessed he would be the team’s most prominent offseason acquisition, but here we are. After several years as a complementary player in Texas, is he ready to step up and be a leader in D.C.?

DREW MILLAS, C
He’s fully established he can hit at Triple-A. Now he has to prove he can do it in the majors, and in the process beat out Riley Adams for the No. 2 catcher’s job.

YOHANDY MORALES, 1B/3B
The second round pick from 2023 hasn’t shown any real power stroke in his first 500 professional plate appearances, but he’s still young and still has plenty of time. This will be his first shot in big league camp.

NASIM NUÑEZ, INF
The Rule 5 constraints are off, so the Nationals are free to option him to Triple-A if they want to give him more regular at-bats. If he wants to stick, he’ll have to prove his late-season offensive improvement was legitimate.

ANDREW PINCKNEY, OF
This will be the first big league camp for the 2023 fourth round pick, who is likely to open the season at Triple-A Rochester and could be a call-up candidate if the Nats need an outfielder.

MAX ROMERO JR., C
The 23-year-old has yet to play above Single-A Wilmington. But catchers are always needed in spring training, so he’ll try to make the most of his opportunity working with big leaguers for the first time.

AMED ROSARIO, INF
The Nationals ostensibly signed the veteran to replace Ildemaro Vargas. He should do fine in a utility role. The bigger question: Could he play third base on a regular basis if others falter?

KEIBERT RUIZ, C
There is real pressure on him to bounce back from a ragged 2024 season, both at and behind the plate. His contract still dictates the starting job is his, but he really needs to put any doubts to rest this year.

JOSE TENA, INF
At the moment, he looks like the Opening Day third baseman, at least until Brady House is ready. Will a full spring working at the hot corner help him become more serviceable there? And then, can he hit enough to warrant regular playing time?

CAYDEN WALLACE, 3B
Acquired from the Royals for Hunter Harvey, he missed a large chunk of last season with an injury. He’s not as highly touted as Brady House, but could he throw himself into the third base mix with a strong spring?

JAMES WOOD, OF
All eyes are on the big guy in his second big league camp, now that he’s established himself as the team’s everyday left fielder. The sky’s the limit, but he still needs to put in the work to realize his full potential.

JUAN YEPEZ, 1B/DH
An unexpectedly pleasant performer last season, he’s now stuck behind Nathaniel Lowe at first base and Josh Bell at DH. He should still be the frontrunner for a bench spot, but where will his opportunities for playing time come?

JACOB YOUNG, OF
He established his Gold Glove-caliber credentials last season. Now he needs to establish that he can hit enough to hold off the organization’s highly touted prospects and solidify his position as the Nats’ long-term center fielder.