The Washington Nationals are ten games deep into Spring Training as of March 6. In that sample size, the team is 7-3 and showing great promise among their young players. Spring Training is definitely just a small peak at the 2026 season as performance is more developmental than anything. However, there are takeaways, and good baseball is always worth commending. These three Nationals have especially stood out to date.
Robert Hassell III
The Nationals outfielder is performing great so far, batting 5-14 (.357 Avg), including two hits against the Mets on Thursday. Robert Hassell III is hitting for base hits rather than power, but hits are hits. Despite facing lower-tier pitchers, .357 is a great average. Hassell also has just three strikeouts, all of which happened in his first two outings.
Hassell's greatest strength in his 2025 Nationals season was his fielding. It was not elite by any means, with a defensive rating of -0.5. However, if Hassell can string together this bat and become a positively rated defensive player, he has a spot in the outfield depth chart. As for Opening Day, he projects to remain on the Triple-A roster until told otherwise.
Brady House
Brady House has played five games in Spring Training, and not since March 2. However, he has three multi-hit games, coming in at 7-14 (.500 Avg) with five extra-base hits, including two home runs, and 6 RBI. If the Nationals can find House to be a breakout hitter for this 2026 starting lineup, things may look up beyond early expectations.
House will be on this Opening Day roster as the expected starting 3rd baseman. Just picture this: CJ Abrams leading off, James Wood in the 2-hole, a fully unleashed Dylan Crews in the 3-hole, and a slugging Brady House in the 4-hole with Luis Garcia Jr. to complement them. Picture this in its ideal form, and you may picture a beautiful sight later on this season.
Seaver King
The former first-round pick and shortstop is not going to make this Opening Day roster, but Seaver King will be hopeful of seeing the majors at any point before late summer. However, you never know. King is so far playing great in Spring Training, batting 5-13 (.385 Avg) with one hit in five of his six games. King has complemented this average with just one total strikeout over his six games played. His plate presence looks every bit of what the team planned to see, and so far his breakout performance from the Arizona Fall League has carried over.
Jake Irvin
There is very little that should be taken away from Jake Irvin's two Spring Training games. He is playing mostly non-starters. However, Irving has done as asked, posting a 0.00 ERA in 5 IP, including 6 strikeouts, 3 BB's, and 2 hits allowed. If Irvin can stay on the gas pedal, he will be a nice arm to have in reserve.