The Washington Nationals and their fans should be holding their heads high to end the 2026 season. After a year in which most media outlets and publications had the team picked as one of the worst teams in baseball, they have definitely been a lot better than expected. The product both on the field and throughout the organization, with the farm system making major leaps.
Of course, new President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni has found some incredible value by betting on rebound projects like Foster Griffin, who became an All-Star before being flipped to the Cleveland Guardians, and infielder Curtis Mead, who was traded to the Boston Red Sox for a player who is now loosely scheduled to make his Nationals debut in the coming days.
Connelly Early scheduled for Nationals debut on September 26th
That player would be lefty Connelly Early, who was the prize trade deadline acquisition of Toboni and the Nationals. He came over in a clean 1-for-1 swap for Curtis Mead only, who had been acquired by the Nationals earlier this season for catching prospect Boston Smith. In a long roundabout way, a guy named Boston ended up bringing back a stud pitcher from Boston. Sorry, I'll show myself out.
Anyways, Toboni announced yesterday during his weekly appearance on 106.7 The Fan's Junkies show that he expects Early to make his Nationals debut on Saturday, September 26th against the New York Mets in Game 161. This is a huge development overall, as there had been some whispers that Early might not pitch at all this season shortly after he was acquired.
Fans will be eagerly awaiting to see how Early performs, as he was once a Top 100 prospect in all of baseball before pitching superbly down the stretch for the Red Sox, gaining some valuable postseason experience as well that no other Nationals pitchers have currently. If he can stay healthy, he should be a rotation lock with Cade Cavalli and possibly even Andrew Alvarez heading into 2027.
In 17 starts for Early in 2026, he owns a 7-5 record with a 3.44 ERA and 1.25 WHIP, while striking out 93 batters in 91.2 innings. If he can replicate those numbers in any close sense, he will find himself in a good spot as he takes on a Mets lineup that has struggled mightily at times this season.
What are your expectations for Connelly Early once he debuts for the Nationals? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.
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