The World Series victory in 2019 was unexpected for the Washington Nationals. A 19-31 start to the season had ownership questioning the decision to hire Davey Martinez. Fans were upset, and rumblings for change began to stir.
Just a few months later, the Nats went on a historic run to win the World Series. Since 2019, Nationals fans have come to expect losing seasons. Year after year, the play has arguably gotten worse. Why should any Nationals fan have interest in the team next season?
New Front Office
The first reason is easy; the front office is entirely different. The organization should have a fresh approach to the landscape of Major League Baseball. The front office has gotten considerably younger and more analytically driven. President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni hired the youngest coach in the Major Leagues since the 1970s. Blake Butera, just 33, has little prior coaching experience and will be learning on the job.
The hire is unlike any in Nationals history, as ownership has targeted managers with lots of mileage. Dusty Baker and Davey Johnson come to mind when mentioning Nats' managers with a few years under their belt. Toboni is changing the narrative with the hiring of Butera. The Nationals are getting younger and analytical in both the front office and coaching staff.
New Coaching Staff
The Nats announced a few more coaching hires, including pitching coach Simon Matthews. Just 30 years old, he's passionate and involved with the program "Driveline Baseball", an analytical-based performance program that Major League teams have adopted. He was the assistant pitching coach for the Cincinnati Reds last season.
The Nats have a few talented arms that could benefit from a different coaching perspective. The Nats also hired Andrew Aydt of Driveline Baseball as their assistant hitting coach. In his late 20s, the youth movement in Washington, D.C., is in profound effect.
Continued Growth of Youngsters
If a different front office and coaching staff isn't enough, what about the young players? James Wood is must-see television for every plate appearance. The left-handed hitter slugged 24 home runs and 69 RBI in the first half of the 2025 season. He was a participant in the Home Run Derby. Dylan Crews, the second overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, will be healthy and playing every day.
Arguably the biggest surprise of the 2025 season, Daylen Lile, looks to build on his outstanding rookie season. MacKenzie Gore pitched like an ace for a large portion of the season. Cade Cavalli showed flashes of potential in his return from injury. You can't forget about the fan favorite, CJ Abrams, at shortstop. The Nationals have young talent worth watching daily.
Changes are happening in the front office in Washington, D.C. Fans should believe in what Paul Tobonni is envisioning for the Nationals, an analytics-driven organization. The landscape of Major League Baseball has changed, and the Nats are playing catch-up. The 2026 season is the first step forward for the Nats. While it may not be the most competitive season in terms of wins and losses, the product on the field will improve.