Washington Nationals: Two Players Who Justified Team’s Faith And One Who Hasn’t

Since winning the franchise’s first-ever World Series title in 2019, Washington has gone 50-67. Despite having a majority of the team’s core from 2019 still intact, the Nats have fallen flat. Mike Rizzo has made multiple attempts to keep the team relevant, but the results have been mixed at best.

From 2011-2019, the team was used to signing/trading/drafting a player and receiving immediate results. It’s what allowed the Nationals to compete for the majority of the 2010s. However, this has been a completely different case over the past two seasons. Some of the young prospects they entrusted the future to have failed to make the leap to the pro’s, while the team’s free-agent classes have yet to live up to expectations.

Recently, there have been a few players brought in who justified the team’s faith while others have not.

Rewarded: Daniel Hudson

Daniel Hudson’s MLB career has been a roller coaster of emotions, that has seen him tear his UCL twice, leading to multiple Tommy John surgeries. Now on his sixth team, Hudson was never expected to become an elite closer with the Nats.

Acquired at the 2019 trade deadline, Hudson has become a completely different pitcher than in years past. He started that season in the Angels minor league camp before being cut in March. Toronto then took a chance on him, signing him to a one-year deal. Hudson responded by posting a 3.00 ERA in 48 innings. After building up his trade stock, he was shipped to Washington where he has ascended to one of the most underrated relievers in the game.

In 25 innings to end the 2019 season, Hudson went 3-0, with a 1.44 ERA, and 48 strikeouts, while going 6-8 in save opportunities. Filling in for an injured Sean Doolittle, Hudson was exactly what the Nationals needed at the backend of the bullpen. During the team’s World Series run, the journeyman continued his career renaissance, not allowing a run during the Wild Card game, NLDS, or NLCS. Outside of one bad outing in the World Series, Hudson was lights out, closing out Game Seven.

After the World Series, Washington re-signed the closer to a two-year deal worth $11 million. The extended playoff run and turbulent off-season due to COVID led to Hudson having a disastrous 2020 season. In 21 appearances, he went 3-2, with a 6.10 ERA, and 32 strikeouts.

An extended off-season and full Spring Training led to Hudson rebounding to his 2019 self. In 23 appearances, the veteran is 4-1, with a 2.59 ERA, and 35 strikeouts. Washington’s bullpen over the years has been less than reliable and Hudson has been able to help solidify the backend.