What former Nationals are in the 2024 MLB Playoffs?
The 2024 MLB Postseason is officially underway, and as teams set their initial playoff rosters, what former Nationals have found themselves in the hunt for a World Series?
As the Washington Nationals are mired in a rebuild and will be enjoying their 5th straight early offseason from the couches just like all of us, the remaining 12 playoff teams are littered with former Nats. From former superstars to career journeymen, the former Nats in this year's playoffs vary in organizational impact, but they all have the fact that they wore the Curly W at one point in an MLB game in common. With that being said, who are the former Nats that have found themselves in this year's postseason?
Before you scroll below, can you name all 13 former Nationals who are apart of playoff teams?
Lane Thomas ('21-'24) - Cleveland Guardians
Lane Thomas, who spendt parts of 4 seasons with the Nationals, was traded to the Cleveland Guardians at the deadline this past summer, and will be playing in the postseason for the first time. He started slowly after being traded to Cleveland, but was red hot to end the regular season.
Juan Soto ('18-'22) - New York Yankees
Childish Bambino will be headed back to the postseason, this time with the New York Yankees, in his first (and hopefully last) playoff run with the Yankees. If and/or when the Yankees are eliminated, all eyes will turn to his impending free agency, perhaps with a potential homecoming in the works for Juan Soto?
Hunter Harvey ('22-'24) - Kansas City Royals
Although not on the initial postseason roster for the Royals due to a lingering back injury, Hunter Harvey will find himself experiencing playoff baseball for the first time in his career. Should the Royals experience an extended run, perhaps we could see him down the line depending on the severity of his back injury.
Bryce Harper ('12-'18), Kyle Schwarber ('21), Trea Turner ('15-'21) - Philadelphia Phillies
The NL East rival Philadelphia Phillies have 3 former beloved Nats in Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and Trea Turner. Always a threat to make a deep run with their stacked rotation and deep lineup, it will be interesting to see if Harper can finally bring a title back to DC (Philly).
Anthony Banda ('23), Daniel Hudson ('19-'21), Blake Treinen ('14-'17) - Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers have a trio of former Nats relievers including the guy who recorded the final out of the 2019 World Series in Daniel Hudson. Besides him, they also have Blake Treinen, who infamously became an elite reliever with the Oakland Athletics once leaving the Nats' organization, and Anthony Banda, who had a pretty forgettable tenure with the Nationals.
Joe Ross ('15-'21) - Milwaukee Brewers
One of the more underrated Nats' starting pitchers of the last decade, Joe Ross finds himself on the Milwaukee Brewers' postseason roster. It will be the first time he will be back in the playoffs since the 2019 World Series, and it will be interesting to see if the Brewers can finally make a deep run this year.
Reed Garrett ('22), Jesse Winker ('24) - New York Mets
The New York Mets have a pair of Nats who spent only a few months with the club, in reliever Reed Garrett and outfielder Jesse Winker. Of course, Winker experienced a career renaissance with the Nationals this season before being dealt before the deadline, but Garrett had a forgetful and short-lived tenure with the club in 2022.
Reynaldo López ('16) - Atlanta Braves
Reynaldo López is the final former Nat in this year's postseason. One of the main pieces sent to the Chicago White Sox along with Lucas Giolito in the Adam Eaton deal, López turned in a career year in 2024. He became an All Star for the first time in his age 30 season, and will step in as the ace of this staff with Chris Sale on the shelf for the time being.
Which former National are you most excited to see in the 2024 playoffs? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.