Nationals: Early 2021 26 Man Roster Predictions

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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.

Trea Turner #42 of the Washington Nationals looks on during the fifth inning at Fenway Park on August 29, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. All players are wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The day honoring Jackie Robinson, traditionally held on April 15, was rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Nationals Projected Infielders (7)

Josh Bell, Ryan Zimmerman, Starlin Castro, Trea Turner, Carter Kieboom, Josh Harrison, Luis Garcia, Jake Noll

The infield seems to be set with the biggest question being what to do with Luis Garcia. The 20-year-old was called up last season and responded by hitting .276, with two homers, and 16 RBIs. He still needs to grow into his frame to provide more power, but was a pleasant surprise at the plate. Unfortunately, he struggled immensely in the field. The youngster would benefit from some extra time in the minors to work on his defense. With Starlin Castro returning from his broken wrist, Garcia seems to be blocked for the time being. Unless the team is fine using Garcia off the bench, for now, expect him to start in the minors.

Carter Kieboom looked lost at the plate at 2020, but a groin injury was a major reason behind that. Dave Martinez has continued to stand by the former top prospect and third base is his to lose.

Josh Bell was acquired to take over at first and Mr. National re-signed on a one-year deal. His bat will be needed off the bench. Over at short is Trea Turner, who finally put it all together in 2020.

Josh Harrison was re-signed and will be the team’s utility infielder. Jake Noll has spent time in the majors and will once again be striving for a bench role. If Garcia does start in the minors, Noll is my choice to have his spot on the bench.

Juan Soto #22, Victor Robles #16, and Andrew Stevenson #17 of the Washington Nationals celebrate the winning against the Miami Marlins by score of 5-0 at Marlins Park on September 18, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Nationals Projected Outfielders (4)

Juan Soto, Victor Robles, Kyle Schwarber, Andrew Stevenson

Other Candidates: Yadiel Hernandez,

No surprises in the outfield with Victor Robles, Juan Soto, and Kyle Schwarber all slotted to be the starters.

Juan Soto is the heart and soul of the team and took another major leap forward in 2020. Despite missing the beginning of the season due to a positive COVID test, he still won the batting title, hitting .351.

Schwarber was brought in for his power, peaking with 38 homers in 2019. Defensively, he is a liability and would benefit from the DH returning for 2021. As of now, he will have to play the field, but this is something to keep an eye on.

Victor Robles took a huge step back in 2020, after a very successful rookie season. A year after posting 12 outfield assists with 25 DRS, Robles looked like he forgot how to play defense. He recorded only one outfield assist and posted -4 DRS. He has slimmed down this off-season and should be faster because of it.

Robles will be crucial to the team’s success in 2020. Washington finished last in 2020 in DRS and will need the youngster to refind his 2019 form. Offensively, Robles will need to improve his consistency at the plate so he can finally take over in the leadoff role.

Andrew Stevenson is the team’s fourth outfielder and will need to prove his 2020 was no fluke (he hit .366 in 41 at-bats).

The 2016 National League Cy Young Award is presented to Max Scherzer #32 of the Washington Nationals before the start of the Opening Day game against the Miami Marlins on April 3, 2017 at Nationals Park in Washington, DC. The Nationals won 4-2. Also pictured is Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo (R). (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) /

Nationals Projected Starting Rotation (5)

Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Patrick Corbin, Jon Lester, Joe Ross

Other Candidates: Rogelio Armenteros, Austin Voth, Erick Fedde, Jackson Rutledge, Cade Cavalli

Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, and Patrick Corbin are all healthy and will be looking to continue their 2019 dominance. Joe Ross returns after opting out of 2020. For now, the fifth spot is his to-lose, with Rogelio Armenteros being his main competition. Armenteros made his MLB debut in 2019 with Houston, posting a 4.00 ERA in 18 innings. Only 26, the righty appeared on Martinez’s radar, who ended up claiming him off of waivers.

Erick Fedde and Austin Voth were both part of the team’s 2020 rotation, but neither were able to supplant themselves as full-time starters. Now, they are long shots to make the rotation and might be better suited for the bullpen (more on that later).

The team’s 2019 and 2020 draft picks Jackson Rutledge and Cade Cavalli both received invites to Spring Training, with their eyes set on making the 26 man roster. Neither of them is likely to crack the 26 man roster, but crazier things have happened. For now, the plan is to give both of them as much experience as possible to help further their development.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 02: Tanner Rainey #21 of the Washington Nationals throws a pitch in the bottom of the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on September 2, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Nationals 3-0. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Nationals Projected Bullpen (8)

Tanner Rainey, Daniel Hudson, Brad Hand, Will Harris, Kyle Finnegan, Jeremy Jeffress, Wander Suero, Austin Voth/Erick Fedde

Other Candidates: Erick Fedde/Austin Voth, Ben Braymer, Ryne Harper, Kyle McGowin, Javy Guerra

Over the past decade, the bullpen has been Washington’s biggest weakness and that seems to no longer be the case. On paper, the Nationals have one of the deepest bullpens led by newcomer Brad Hand. Hand will be the new to-go lefty and he brings plenty of closer experience. He will join veterans, Daniel Hudson, and Will Harris. Hudson and Harris are bounce-back candidates after both finding success in 2019, but struggling in 2020.

Fireballer Tanner Rainey is another crucial piece for Dave Martinez. The 28-year old broke out in 2020 posting a 2.66 ERA, with 32 strikeouts in 20.1 innings. Rainey formed a dominant duo with Kyle Finnegan, who posted a 2.92 ERA, with 27 strikeouts in 24.2 innings. Rounding out the bullpen will be Wander Suero. Similar to Rainey, Suero has suffered from inconsistencies, but posted a 3.80 ERA in 2020.

One of Voth and Fedde should become the team’s new long reliever, while Ryne Harper, Javy Guerra, Kyle McGowin, and Ben Braymer will all be battling for a spot.

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