District On Deck
FanSided

Nationals: Early 2021 26 Man Roster Predictions

By Max Rayman

A general view of the 2019 World Series Champions sign at Nationals Park before the game between the Washington Nationals and the Toronto Blue Jays on July 28, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
A general view of the 2019 World Series Champions sign at Nationals Park before the game between the Washington Nationals and the Toronto Blue Jays on July 28, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next

Who will make the team’s 2021Opening Day 26 man roster?

Baseball fans everywhere have started to celebrate because Spring Training has finally started! For Washington, pitchers and catchers reported on February 22nd, with plenty of new faces amongst the veterans. The big three of Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, and Patrick Corbin are back in action and are ramping up. Joining them at camp is top the team’s top pitching prospects Cade Cavalli and Jackson Rutledge, with both of them already turning heads. Position players arrived on Sunday and the team is finally fully reunited. With everyone at camp, now is the perfect time to give an early prediction for the team’s Opening Day 26 man roster.

While most of the roster is in place, there will be position battles scattered around, most notably in the rotation and bullpen. Here is our first prediction for Opening Day.

Nationals Projected Catchers (2)

Yan Gomes, Alex Avila

 Other Candidates: Tres Barrera, Wellington Castillo

Yan Gomes and Alex Avila are slated to be the team’s new platoon partners, with Gomes being the starter. Avila was brought in for veteran leadership and it helps that he has a special connection with Scherzer dating back to the duo’s time in Detroit.

Wellington Castillio signed a minor league deal with the team for 2020 but opted out due to COVID. The veteran re-signed on another minor league deal and will be looking to earn a spot. It is unlikely Washington carries three catchers, and it will come down to Avila or Castillo for the backup role, with Avila the frontrunner.

Home/Max Scherzer