The air in West Palm Beach will soon become a lot heavier as pitchers and catchers begin reporting to CACTI Park. Since the last time the the Washington Nationals appeared in the area, it would be fair to say that the club is entering what could end up being a very revealing Spring Training, the first of the Paul Toboni era.
After an offseason defined by a MacKenzie Gore trade and rumors surrounding All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams, it's easy to feel like the 2026 season is already slipping away for the Nats. But despite the inactivity in the free agent market and the slow burn approach from the front office, there are legitimate reasons for optimism.
If you're looking for a reason or two to care about Spring Training while the rest of the NL East is spending like crazy, here are things that should actually get you excited...
1. The Beginning of the Harry Ford Era
Ford, the centerpiece of the Mariners trade is now in a Nationals uniform for all to see. He is not just a regular catching prospect, but a unicorn behind the plate with 20-20 potential and an elite eye. Watching how he handles a young, volatile pitching staff in West Palm Beach is going to be the #1 storyline to follow for me personally.
With Keibert Ruiz looking more and more like a backup as each day passes, Ford has a legitimate chacne to prove he's the Day 1 answer. If he shows that the transition to D.C. hasn't slowed down his bat, the future behind the plate just got a whole lot brighter.
2. "Farm-Altering" Pieces from the Gore Trade
We've spent weeks mourning the loss of MacKenzie Gore, but Spring Training is where we see the return on investment for the first time. The Nats didn't just get scraps from the Rangers, they got five pieces that supposedly 'reset' the pitching pipeline.
Seeing guys like Gavin Fien, the 12th overall pick from 2025, and his elite bat speed will be a major highlight once the minor league season kicks off. However, keep your eyes on power hitting first baseman Abimelec Ortiz, who could easily emerge and provide some much-needed power for the Nationals. If these guys look like the frontline talent Toboni promised, the Gore trade starts to look like a true masterpiece.
3. The Outfield of the Future
This is what it's all about. For the first time, we get a full Spring Training with James Wood coming off a 31-homer season and Dylan Crews looking to bury his rookie struggles. These two are the engine of the franchise, and watching them work together in the same outfield uninterrupted by trade rumors or injury rehab is the pure, unadulterated baseball joy that this fan base needs.
Additionally, us fans will be treated to a full season of Daylen Lile, whose debut in the 2025 season provided some true electricity for Nationals fans. Seeing the trio of Wood, Crews, and Lile together is going to help make spring training much more exciting knowing that they have those guys already in place.
What are you most excited to see in West Palm Beach? Let us know!