Washington Nationals: Top Ten Rookie Seasons in Nationals History
Washington Nationals rookie Victor Robles is lighting up the diamond. How does he stack up against the best rookie seasons in Nats history?
Like his team so far this season, Washington Nationals center fielder Victor Robles has his ups and downs over the first third of the season. Robles has flashed power and speed during his first period of extended playing time in the Majors. However, he has, at times, struggled to make contact, has been tentative in the field and has made a large number of baserunning blunders.
The jury is still out on whether Robles’ first year with the Nats will be a successful one, like many of his predecessors wearing Nationals’ colors had. Today we will look, in descending order, at the top ten rookie seasons in Washington Nationals’ history.
#10- Shawn Hill- 2007
Starting pitching was not a strong suit for the 89 loss 2007 Nationals, but Canadian right-hander Shawn Hill was the exception to that rule. Hill lost a large chunk of the campaign to injuries and made only 16 starts on the year, but he allowed three or fewer earned runs in 14 of those starts and posted a respectable 3.42 ERA.
#9- John Lannan- 2008
Left-hander John Lannan’s performance in his rookie season was a bright spot in a mostly dismal season for the Nationals in 2008. The New York native made 31 starts for the Nats, putting up a 9-15 record with a 3.91 ERA. His best stretch of the season came in its first month when he threw seven innings of shutout ball to lead the Nats to a 6-0 win at Atlanta on April 22nd and followed that up with seven shutout innings at home on April 26th in a 2-0 victory over the Cubs.
#8- Danny Espinosa- 2011
A switch-hitter with speed, power, and excellent defensive skills, Danny Espinosa’s rookie season in 2011 gave the Nationals hope that they had found a middle infield staple for years to come. Espinosa showed his power (21 homers) and speed (17 steals in 23 attempts) in his rookie campaign but also had difficulty making contact (166 strikeouts) which would ultimately be his undoing as a Nats’ regular.
#7- Tanner Roark- 2013
When the Nationals traded shortstop Cristian Guzman to the Texas Rangers in July 2010 for a pair of Minor League pitchers, the deal barely raised an eyebrow among Nats’ faithful. While expectations may have been low, hard-working Tanner Roark showed in 2013 that the deal was a great one for Mike Rizzo and the Nationals. Working both out of the bullpen and as a starter, Roark posted a 7-1 record with a sterling 1.51 ERA on the year. The durable righty would become a significant part of the Nats’ rotation for most of the next five years before being traded to Cincinnati after the 2018 season.
#6- Wilson Ramos- 2011
Few players have been as popular during their tenure in Washington as catcher Wilson Ramos. “The Buffalo” came to Washington in 2010 in another great trade by Rizzo, as the Nats’ GM dealt veteran reliever Matt Capps to Minnesota for the burly Venezuelan who was stuck behind Joe Mauer on the Twins’ depth chart. Ramos’ rookie season in DC was a successful one, as he slugged 15 homers and drove in 52 runs while hitting .267. He would be a Nats’ regular for most of the next six seasons, making the National League All-Star team in 2016.
#5- Stephen Strasburg- 2010
Many Nationals observers point to June 8, 2010, as being the start of a new day for Nationals’ baseball. That evening featured much-hyped rookie Stephen Strasburg’s first Major League start, and the stoic right-hander did not disappoint as he fanned 14 Pittsburgh Pirates to win his debut game in electric fashion. Starts by Strasburg were must-see events during an otherwise ho-hum 2010 campaign. The San Diego native went 5-3 with a 2.91 ERA while striking out 92 opponents in 68 innings pitched. An August injury cut the talented hurler’s rookie campaign short, but most who watched him get his feet wet in the Majors in 2010 knew that they were watching someone with exceptional talent.
#4- Ryan Zimmerman- 2006
On Fathers’ Day 2006 on a steamy afternoon at RFK Stadium, the legend of “Mr. Walk-Off” was born. With the cavernous stadium mostly full and the New York Yankees in town, 2005 first round draft pick Ryan Zimmerman sent the crowd into a frenzy with a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth that turned a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 victory over the stunned New Yorkers. That magic moment was one of many Zimmerman would have on the year, as he hit 22 homers, drove in 110 runs and played excellent defense at third base.
#3- Trea Turner- 2016
Acquired from the San Diego Padres in a 2015 trade, speedster Trea Turner was a big part of the Nationals’ success in their 2016 National League East division-winning season. Playing mostly in unfamiliar territory in center field, Turner hit .342 with 13 home runs and 33 steals in only 73 games played. Turner was especially productive against division rival Atlanta on the year, hitting .475 with six homers and 16 RBI against the Braves.
#2- Juan Soto- 2018
Most normal 19 year olds are either in college or starting out their work careers in lower level, low-pressure jobs. Juan Soto was not a normal 19 year old, and he spent a great deal of his 19th year under the microscope as a Major League Baseball player. The sweet-swinging Soto passed his first test in the big leagues with flying colors, hitting .292 with 22 homers and 70 RBI while displaying excellent plate discipline.
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#1- Bryce Harper- 2012
Most Nats fans who have been following the team since its move to Washington in 2005 will tell you that the 2012 season brings back the best memories. A big part of Washington’s 98 win campaign in that season was the play of a rookie who came to the Majors under a spotlight few have experienced. Precocious Bryce Harper hit the big leagues by storm in late April 2012 and was instrumental in helping Washington to put up the most wins in baseball that season. Harper hit 22 homers, scored 98 runs and drove in 59 more, winning the Rookie of the Year Award in the process.