About one-third of the way into the 2019 season, we take a look at grading the Washington Nationals offseason acquisitions.
While Washington Nationals’ General Manager Mike Rizzo has earned the benefit of the doubt in terms of analysis of the Nats’ personnel moves, the 2018-19 acquisition period has not been one of his best, at least to date. Here’s our grading of the 11 major pick-ups made by the Nats so far, ten before the start of the season and one after the campaign had started in.
PATRICK CORBIN– Grade: A
It is graduation season, and left-hander Patrick Corbin is clearly on track to be valedictorian of the Nationals 2019 new arrivals. With his shutout of Miami on Saturday, only the 21st complete game shutout in Nationals’ history, Corbin is 5-2 with a 2.85 ERA and his 3.2 Wins Above Replacement number is the best among National League pitchers. Corbin gives the Nats starting rotation a formidable top three, and he is on track to be pitching for the National League in the All-Star game later this year in Cleveland.
GERARDO PARRA– Grade: B+
Picked up by the Nats after being waived by the San Francisco Giants earlier this season, Parra has posted impressive slash numbers (.323/.382/.581) while coming up with several big hits in the process. His game-winning grand slam home run at Los Angeles against the Dodgers several weeks ago was probably the highlight to date in Washington’s disappointing season. Taking a flyer on Parra has proven to a positive development for a team desperately looking for more of the same.