Washington Nationals: Five X-Factors For The 2017 Season

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Here are five X-Factors that could determine how the Washington Nationals finish in 2017

One week from today, the Washington Nationals will begin the season against the Miami Marlins at Nats Park. The Nats will look to repeat as National League East champions and do something they’ve never done before, win a round in the postseason.

By now, everyone knows the talent that the Nats have heading into this season. They have the 2015 NL MVP (Bryce Harper), the runner up to the award a season ago (Daniel Murphy), and the reigning NL Cy Young award winner (Max Scherzer).

While those three players have to have big seasons for the Nats to achieve their goal, there always seems to be one or two players that end up being surprises. Those players end up overachieving and end up playing a pivotal role that no one could have predicted

For example, nobody would’ve thought last year that Murphy would’ve hit 25 home runs, finish second in the batting title race, or even getting as close to winning the MVP award as he did. Also, at age 37, Jayson Werth hit more than 20 home runs in a season for the first time since 2013.

With that being said, I am going to give five possible X-factors that could be the difference to the Washington Nationals accomplishing their goals during the 2017 season. First, let’s start with one of the bullpen options since the bullpen is probably the team’s biggest question mark heading into the year.

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Enny Romero

With Romero out of options, it would make sense if the Washington Nationals decide to keep him on the roster rather than risk another team claiming him on waivers. Out of all the late moves Mike Rizzo made, Romero might end up being the one that yields the greatest reward.

Of course, Romero hasn’t pitched much in spring training (five strikeouts, one hit allowed in six games), but the organization had to be impressed by what the left-hander did at the World Baseball Classic. Pitching for the Dominican Republic at the World Baseball Classic, Romero had three strikeouts and didn’t give up a hit in 2.2 innings (two games).

As for his time with the Nats, he has given up one hit, struck out four, and walked one in five innings. While he was with the D.R., his fastball was hitting 98-99 miles per hour on the radar gun, which was impressive.

During his three years with the Tampa Bay Rays, Romero has pitched 20+ games in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings (Baseball Reference). Last year, his 50 strikeouts were the third most of any Rays reliever and 19 of them came in the eighth inning (second most on the team behind former Nats left-hander Xavier Cedeno).

Throughout his time with the Rays, Romero had issues with his command (5.5 walks per nine inning in 52 games last season). If he is able to control the fastball, he is a pitcher that Dusty Baker can go to in any situation.

Who knows, with the current closer situation, maybe he gets a save opportunity or two before the season comes to a close?

Ryan Zimmerman

In the early stages of his career, the Washington Nationals lineup would focus on the play of Zimmerman. Now at age 32, Zimmerman has a chance to be an under the radar contributor at the bottom of the order.

Last season, he hit .218 with 15 home runs, 46 RBI’s, and had a negative WAR for the first time in his career. After a rough start to spring training this year (0-for-17), it appears Zimmerman has bounced back and found his form to a degree.

Since that rough patch, he has 12 hits in his last 23 at-bats, including a home run and three doubles. But, that might not be his best stat of the spring. The veteran has shown good plate discipline if you go by his eight walks, which is more than anyone on the team.

With that plate discipline, it looks like a good sign heading into the regular season. Keep this stat in perspective. Last year, he walked 29 times. In the last season he played in 100 or more games (2014), he walked over double that total (60).

If Zimmerman can bounce back in 2017, that only adds more depth to the Washington Nationals lineup. He has gone from being a superstar on the team to a player where anything you can get from him is a bonus. By hitting at the bottom of the order, having less pressure on him could lead to him bringing more contributions this season, if he is healthy.

Matt Wieters

It’s been a slow spring training for Wieters since he signed with the Washington Nationals after pitchers and catchers had already reported. Right now, he is clearly behind everyone else in his preparation for the season.

In eight games, Wieters is 4-for-23 and has struck out eight times. His eight K’s are tied with three other players for the ninth most on the team. While he only played in ten spring training games for the Orioles a season ago, he only had seven strikeouts.

Of course, Wieters is only a couple seasons removed from the Tommy John surgery that he had in 2014. But, if you go back to last season, the power seemed to come back. He had 17 home runs and had his first double-digit home run season since 2013 (22).

When you looked at the catcher market this offseason, Wieters was the best option available as a one-year stopgap until Pedro Severino is ready. He is the best upgrade because he can come close to the power numbers Wilson Ramos put up at the position last year before the ACL injury.

Of course, the Washington Nationals hope he can bring production to the lineup as well as be a good battery mate for the starting pitchers. This rotation is mostly full of veterans, but it will be interesting to see if the veteran catcher has a positive impact on the youngest pitcher in the starting five, Joe Ross.

Right now, there shouldn’t be panic about Wieters because he is another hitter that should bring some power to the bottom of the Nats order and throw out a good amount of baserunners on defense.

Gio Gonzalez

At first glance, the Washington Nationals has a strong trio at the top of the rotation in Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, and Tanner Roark. It’s already one of the best rotations in the National League and it’s scary to think it can only get better if Gonzalez steps up.

Last spring training, Gonzalez had more walks than strikeouts and had a rough year after a great month of April. This spring, the left-hander has shorter hair and has pitched much better.

In six starts, he has a 29.5 ERA, has struck out 14 batters in 21.1 innings, and opponents are hitting .189. He did struggle yesterday against the Houston Astros when he gave up four runs in five innings, including a pair of home runs.

Now, Gonzalez has made 30+ starts in four of his five seasons with the Washington Nationals. However, he hasn’t won more than 11 games since he won 21 games back in 2012.

As always, the big issue for Gonzalez is going to be can he stay consistent throughout the season and give the Nats six innings on a routine basis? If he can, it only makes the rotation that much better.

With Gonzalez being the only left-hander in the rotation, they need him to have success and it was a good thing that the team decided to pick up his option for this season. If you read into some of Gonzalez’s comments this spring, it sounds like he may have found his confidence again. Here’s what he said after his start against the Braves on March 21:

“I had to work through certain situations, which is good,” Gonzalez said. “It’s a good sign, I’ll continue to stay positive and stay confident and believe in your stuff.” (h/t Jamal Collier, MLB.com)

If that confidence lasts throughout the season, expect Gonzalez to have one of his better seasons in D.C. this year.

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Sammy Solis

Most of the attention this spring training in terms of relievers has been the competition for closer between Koda Glover, Blake Treinen, and Shawn Kelley. The Nats have done a good job building up bullpen depth, but they are going to need relievers that can throw multiple innings.

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This is where Solis could play a big role. Solis seemed to have earned the trust of the coaching staff a season ago when he pitched in every single game of the NLDS against the Dodgers. He can pitch in any of the late inning, but the left-hander might need to throw more than one inning.

If the Nats can’t find anyone that they are comfortable giving the long man spot to, Solis could be a candidate for a similar role. Last season, he pitched multiple innings in 13 of his 37 innings. Out of those 13 appearances, six of them were two innings or more.

In spring training this season, teams have been hitting .324 against Solis. However, his 14 strikeouts are the most of any reliever on the team and he has only given up runs in one of his eight appearances.

Solis was on the disabled list last season so health could be an issue. However, if he’s healthy, the 28-year-old could be one of those key players in the bullpen that isn’t the closer.

Next: Ten Seasons Later: Jon Rauch

We want to hear from you. Who do you think is the X-factor for the Washington Nationals this season? Send us your suggestions in the comments section below.

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