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Washington Nationals: Ways the Nationals Can Right the Ship

By Danny Kelly

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 10: General manager Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez #4 of the Washington Nationals talk during batting practice of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park on April 10, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 10: General manager Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez #4 of the Washington Nationals talk during batting practice of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park on April 10, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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Call Up A New Prospect

The Nationals have an interesting, if not intriguing prospect in Fresno right now in the form of Yadiel Hernandez. Hernandez was signed at 29 years-old out of Cuba back in 2016 and had not played baseball in over a year at the time he was signed. Even after not playing for a bit, he hasn’t missed a beat.

Hernandez is currently in AAA with a .366/.459/.699 slash line with nine home runs and 15 RBIs. He is a career .297/.382/.475 hitter throughout 2+ seasons in the Minor Leagues. His bat is ready, and the Nationals needs a boost.

Here’s the tough part – Hernandez is not on the 40-man roster and with Koda Glover already having been transferred to the 60-day IL, the Nationals will need to DFA somebody to make a spot available. Kyle McGowin, who was acquired from the Angels in the Danny Espinosa trade, would be a likely candidate here.

McGowin looked decent, but not great throughout a 5-game stretch last season, where he posted a 5.87 ERA through 7 2/3 innings. He’s off to a 2-2 start with a 5.10 ERA in AAA this season.

Hernandez could provide a solid bat in the lineup until Soto comes back, at which point he could become the team’s fourth outfielder until Taylor comes back. Being 31 years old with the slash line he has, the team has to give him an opportunity sooner rather than later to see what they have.

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