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Nationals Predictions: Best Hitter, Best Pitcher, Best Reliever

By Nick Meyers |
Seattle Mariners v Washington Nationals - Game One
Seattle Mariners v Washington Nationals - Game One / Scott Taetsch/GettyImages
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With Opening Day on Thursday, it is time to officially plant our flag. Predictions are one of the best parts of every offseason leading into the start of the regular season. That is mainly because for a team like the Nationals, it can be an opportunity to be bold and predict the bright spots for a team that many are predicting to struggle this season. We can be realistic about the team, but if we're going to make seaon predictions, we may as well go all out.

On the other hand, there is not a very high bar. Considering Lane Thomas was voted Hitter of the Year last season for the Nationals and Erasmo Ramirez was voted Pitcher of the Year, really any player on the 40 man roster or even someone off the roster entirely could win these team awards.

The Nationals have a lot of new faces and even some familiar faces that will be getting their first real chance to start the year as starters or key contributors for the team. When predicting these awards, we're going to think about potential breakouts for the Nats but also think about health and longevity as well. Without further ado, our predictions for the Nats' team awards.

Washington Nationals v Baltimore Orioles
Washington Nationals v Baltimore Orioles / Greg Fiume/GettyImages

Hitter of the Year - Luis Garcia

I have been beating this drum for quite a while. I think Luis Garcia is poised breakout this year.

Garcia has spent portions of the season for the past three years with the Nats, but has somehow never began the year on the Opening Day roster. Last year, the Nationals opted to use Alcides Escobar over Garcia. Thankfully, they are not doing the same this year.

When you predict a hitter of the year, you likely are thinking of home run hitters and players who frequently display power. Lane Thomas was basically the hitter of the year by default last season just because he led the team in home runs (since Soto and Bell were traded). Joey Meneses made a late push for the title, and could do so again this year.

However, I think it ultimately goes to Garcia as he has displayed flashes of power himself over his time in the big leagues. Now that he'll get to start the season up with the big club, won't be shifted on since that defensive alignment is now banned, and won't be asked to be in over his head playing shortstop everyday, the stars are aligning for the Luis Garcia breakout year.

Atlanta Braves v Washington Nationals
Atlanta Braves v Washington Nationals / G Fiume/GettyImages

Pitcher of the Year - Josiah Gray

Now this is a quieter drum beat of mine, but also one I have been on since Gray arrived in DC. He has well documented growing pains, including leading the league in walks and home runs allowed last season. That being said, Gray has looked spectacular this spring and I am fully aboard the hype train.

Yes, it is Spring Training. Yes, several teams had key players participating in the World Baseball Classic and away from the club during the Spring. But the key for Gray this spring goes beyond the 0.55 ERA.

He did not allow a single home run all spring.

If Gray can keep the ball in the park, that will go a long way towards his development and progression. He was one of the few Nationals' starters to stay healthy last season, so now he has gotten the opprotunity to continue to refine his craft as opposed to rehabbing just to be able to pitch again in general. Gray is entering his second full season as a starting pitcher at the Major League level, which I think will really be the year we see him settle in.

In an interview on Half Street High Heat, we asked Josiah Gray what the biggest adjustment was to pitching in the majors versus the minors, to which he replied that he couldn't get by just blowing his fastball by hitters. Josiah has had to learn how to pitch effectively rather than relying purely on talent. He's committed to his craft and getting better, and I think this is the year we see the rewards of his hard work.

Miami Marlins v Washington Nationals
Miami Marlins v Washington Nationals / Mitchell Layton/GettyImages

Reliever of the Year - Mason Thompson

I nearly went with Hunter Harvey here, as he was sneaky good for the Nationals last year and I think he has success again this year. But predictions are about planting your flag, and I am firmly planting my flag in the Mason Thompson camp.

It is a bit sketchy, as the Nationals have not seemed to have a clear plan for Thompson since he came over from the Padres in a deal for Daniel Hudson in 2021. He has spent some time up with the Nationals, but also spent time down at AAA Rochester despite showing some flashes of success at the big league level. Now? They are apparently toying with the idea of using him as an opener with reports they are stretching him out to cover multiple innings.

I think that would be a mistake. Thompson stills needs to put it all together, but his plus sinker and devastating slider, which only had a .088 batting average against last season, scream back-end of the bullpen arm. Kyle Finnegan projects to be this team's closer to start the season, which I think is the correct move. But Finnegan is 31 and if he has success, I think he could be moved at the deadline if the Nationals get an offer they like. That would give Thompson an avenue to close games for the Nats and cement himself as the closer of the present and future in DC. Even if that doesn't happen, the Nationals simply need a consistent plan for Thompson and I think he will succeed.

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