Some of the Nationals’ most important contributors through late April are not who most people expected.
Washington just wrapped up a tough 17-game stretch, going 9-8 against one of the hardest schedules in baseball, and a few unexpected names played a big role in getting them there. As the Nationals sit at 13-16 to start 2026, three new faces have quietly helped the team stay competitive.
If this team surprises anyone this season, it will not just come from the stars. Players like Joey Wiemer, Foster Griffin and Jorbit Vivas have already stepped in and made an impact early.
Foster Griffin
Foster Griffin has been the Nationals’ most reliable pitcher to start the season, which most people did not anticipate when he signed a one-year deal after three seasons in Japan.
With Washington’s pitching staff continuing to struggle for consistency, Griffin’s early performance has stood out even more. Through April 26, the lefty is 3-0 with a 2.67 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP across six starts, and he has backed it up with multiple strong outings. He threw 5.1 scoreless innings on April 11, followed it with six solid frames on April 21, and then delivered his best start yet with seven shutout innings and eight strikeouts against the White Sox on April 26.
Griffin does not overpower hitters, but his offspeed stuff has been sharp and he has done a great job mixing pitches and keeping hitters off balance. He looks comfortable on the mound, throws strikes and has given the Nationals something they have not had much of lately, a steady presence in the rotation.
For a staff that has been searching for answers, Griffin has been a clear bright spot early in the season.
Joey Wiemer
Moving to hitters, Joey Wiemer has been one of the biggest surprises on the roster.
Claimed off waivers from the Giants in January, Wiemer lacked a guaranteed role coming into the season. He hit .150 in spring training and was fighting just to make the team. Now, he has forced his way into the conversation as one of the Nationals’ most productive bats early on.
He set the tone right away once the season started, reaching base in his first 10 plate appearances of the season to tie a modern MLB record. That fast start has carried over into a strong first month. Through April 26, Wiemer is hitting .320 with a .994 OPS and a 179 OPS+, along with three home runs, seven RBI and eight walks.
Even after that opening stretch, he has continued to contribute in different ways. He hit his first career pinch-hit home run on April 22 and drew a bases-loaded walk in extra innings on April 25, showing he can still impact games even when he is not starting.
Wiemer is not a finished product, but right now he is giving the Nationals quality at-bats along with strong defense and speed in the outfield. For a player who was just trying to make the roster a few weeks ago, he produced a stunning turnaround.
Jorbit Vivas
Jorbit Vivas has been one of the more underrated surprises for the Nationals early in the season.
Acquired from the Yankees in late March, Vivas came in as a depth infielder without much attention. A month into the season, he has turned into a steady piece in the lineup. Through April 26, the 25-year-old is hitting .286 with a .727 OPS. While he may not wow anyone with power, he consistently puts together good at-bats, gets on base and keeps the lineup moving.
Vivas has emerged as an above-average batter, baserunner and fielder to start the year, and he plays with a gritty style that fits well on a team still trying to find its identity. Although not the flashiest player on the roster, he is the type of player who helps teams win games, and that has made him a valuable addition early on.
Hopefully these three can keep it going, because if they do, the rest of the season promises to be a lot more interesting.
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