Washington Nationals 2021 Preview
Led by a young superstar, Washington aims to return to the top of the mountain.
Major Additions: 1B Josh Bell (Trade w/PIT), OF Kyle Schwarber (FA), C Alex Avila (FA), SS Jordy Mercer (FA), 3B Hernán Pérez (FA), LHP Jon Lester (FA), LHP Brad Hand (FA), LHP Luis Avilán (FA), C Jonathan Lucroy (FA), OF Gerardo Parra (FA), OF Blake Swihart (FA), LHP TJ McFarland (FA)
Major Departures: OF Michael A. Taylor (FA), C Kurt Suzuki (FA), 2B Asdrubal Cabrera (FA), 3B Brock Holt (FA), LHP Sean Doolittle (FA), 1B Eric Thames (FA), 2B Howie Kendrick (Retired), OF Adam Eaton (FA), RHP Aníbal Sánchez (FA), RHP Will Crowe (Trade w/PIT)
The Nationals’ championship defense fell flat in 2020, with a 26-34 record and a last place finish. The offense felt the loss of Anthony Rendon, despite Trea Turner and Juan Soto’s best efforts. Washington attempted to fix that with the acquisitions of Josh Bell and Kyle Schwarber. Stephen Strasburg made just two starts in 2020, but is healthy to begin 2021. Veteran lefty Jon Lester was signed to stabilize the rotation. Brad Hand was signed to close out games after leading the league with 16 saves. A clean bill of health in 2021 will go a long way in Washington making another playoff run.
In recent seasons, baseball fans have debated who is the second best player in baseball. At just 22 years old, Juan Soto has become a prime candidate for that title. He leads the Nationals’ offense that looks to improve on a disappointing 2020 season. Soto is surrounded by Trea Turner, Josh Bell, Kyle Schwarber and Victor Robles in Washington’s lineup. The rotation will be headed, once again, by Max Scherzer. Scherzer’s 3.74 ERA in 2020 represented a down year for the three-time Cy Young award winner. The trio of Scherzer, Strasburg and Patrick Corbin are hoping for a repeat of 2019. Washington’s bullpen has always caused trouble for them in recent seasons, but looks solid on paper in 2021. Hand will close games, with returning relievers Daniel Hudson, Tanner Rainey and Wander Suero pitching in the late innings. Washington will be a dark horse to win their second World Series in three years.
Projected lineup & rotation
SS Trea Turner
RF Juan Soto
1B Josh Bell
LF Kyle Schwarber
CF Victor Robles
3B Starlin Castro
C Yan Gomes
2B Josh Harrison
RHP Max Scherzer
RHP Stephen Strasburg
LHP Patrick Corbin
RHP Joe Ross
LHP Jon Lester
Key reserves: C Alex Avila, 1B Ryan Zimmerman, 3B Hernán Pérez, OF Andrew Stevenson
Key relievers: LHP Brad Hand, RHP Tanner Rainey, RHP Daniel Hudson, RHP Wander Suero, RHP Erick Fedde
Player to watch: 1B Josh Bell
In the first half of 2019, Josh Bell hit .302/.376/.648 with 27 home runs and a start in the All-Star game. In the year-and-a-half since, he has regressed to a line of .229/.328/.396 with 18 home runs. His exit velocities still ranked high, but he hit more ground balls and struck out more. With Pittsburgh undergoing a full rebuild, Washington saw an opportunity to acquire him while his value is low. He will be the starting first baseman for the 2021 Nationals, replacing Eric Thames. It is a long shot to expect his early 2019 breakout, but Bell can be a middle of the order force in Washington’s lineup.
Prospect to watch: RHP Jackson Rutledge
Junior College players have a hard time developing hype leading into the draft. Rutledge, who attended San Jacinto JC, turned heads in his 2019 season and was considered a top ten talent. He was picked 17th overall and pitched in three levels in his first pro season. One reason for Rutledge’s hype is his size. He stands 6’8” and 250 pounds and throws in the upper-90s. He has touched 101 MPH, garnering comparisons to Nate Pearson. His slider is great as well, with a developing curveball not far behind. In a weak Washington farm system, Rutledge has a chance to rise to the top of the pack with a strong 2021 campaign.