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Nationals: 3 players who have something to prove down the stretch

By James Simmons

Sam Clay #49 of the Washington Nationals pitches during the completion of a suspended baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Nationals Park on July 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. The game was suspended after a shooting outside the stadium. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Sam Clay #49 of the Washington Nationals pitches during the completion of a suspended baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Nationals Park on July 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. The game was suspended after a shooting outside the stadium. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan has had some rough outings of late.
Kyle Finnegan #67 of the Washington Nationals walks to the dug out during a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Nationals Park on August 17, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Kyle Finnegan

There are some question marks with other pitchers as well, but you kind of have a good idea with what you are going to get. You’ve seen Erick Fedde, that’s who he is. Paolo Espino, the Nationals have about squeezed what they can get from him. A handful of relievers don’t fashion to be on the team next year, or when this team hopes to be contending again.

Then, there is Kyle Finnegan. Finnegan has the same route to the majors as Clay. Seven year minor leaguer, signed to a major league contract without any experience. However, the results were much different. Finnegan had a stellar 2020 campaign.

Year two hasn’t been as good. Hasn’t been terrible, either. When Brad Hand was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in late July leaving the closer’s role vacant, the Nats were quick to anoint Finnegan the new closer.

Unscathed in his first three appearances, Finnegan walked away with a win and two saves. He has a blown save and three losses since then.

For the remainder of the season, Finnegan needs to prove he can handle high-leverage situations. Is he the closer of the future? Probably not. Will the Nationals depend on him to get outs in crucial, late inning, situations. Definitely. Time for him to claim some clean innings.

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