Since the 2022 MLB Draft when the Washington Nationals selected outfielder Elijah Green out of IMG Academy, things have not gone according to plan. Heading into the 2025 season, the 5th pick in that draft has yet to advance beyond Low-A Fredericksburg, although if Friday's Spring Breakout game is any indicator of the work he has been putting in, then look out.
See, there are a few things about Elijah Green that will just never quite make me give up on him as a player. Despite his ghastly strikeout rate and his now 30-grade hit tool, if he can get that up to even a 40 or 45-grade level he is going to be a big leaguer. Despite a career 42.79 K% since starting his professional career, he could have some potential Joey Gallo-like upside if he can bring that down to even around 35% or so. Gallo has a career 38.0 K%, but has managed to have a decade long career due to how well his other tools have played.
Green can do the same thing, as, when you look at his prospect profile, you can understand the massive upside. With 60-grade power, 70-grade wheels, 60-grade arm, and a 60-grade glove, it truly is not out of the question to say that Green could legitimately have generational upside if his hit tool was not holding him back so much. After 201 games in Low-A, it seems likely that Green is going to be moved up to High-A Wilmington this season by pure necessity, as perhaps maybe a change-of-scenery in the lower levels of the farm can wake him up a bit.
In Friday's Spring Breakout game against the Houston Astros, Green did some good things at the plate that once again just proved to me that I will never be able to quit him. He finished the game with a 2/4 line with a pair of extra-base hits, a walk, and a pair of strikeouts, all while serving as the team's designated hitter. It was the full Elijah Green experience at the dish, but the walk was definitely great to see as well.
No. Doubt.
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 14, 2025
Elijah Green plants one on the berm. The @Nationals' No. 25 prospect had 31 XBH in 106 games for Single-A @FXBGNats last year.
Watch this Spring Breakout game LIVE: https://t.co/gEuzuC831N pic.twitter.com/jKWB8dmPMW
Now don't get me wrong here, I know how unlikely it is at this point that Green makes the majors, given that no player who has ever struggled with strikeouts this much at lower levels of the minors has ever gone on to be a successful big leaguer, but I just can't quit him. Maybe part of it is because I know if he goes to an organization like the Rays or the Dodgers that they are going to turn him into the superstar that he can be if he reaches his ceiling, but I have to hold out hope that it happens for him in the Nationals organization.
Just remember, Green only just turned 21-years-old not even 4 months ago, and has great genetics as an athlete, being the son of former NFL Pro Bowl tight end Eric Green. You don't come across a ton of guys who are 6'3" and 225 pounds that can hit a baseball 450 feet with ease and steal 40 bags in a season, but Green can do both of those.
If Friday was any indicator at all, it is still way too soon to give up on Elijah Green. While it would be fascinating to see if he can factor into a potential future outfield that might consist of James Wood, Robert Hassell III, and Dylan Crews, having too much talent is a good problem to have, especially in baseball.
What do you think of Elijah Green's performance yesterday? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.