The All-Time underappreciated Nationals team

Continuing with the common theme of rooting for the underdog in most of my articles among the likes of Jacob Young, Jake Alu, Zack Brzykcy, and others, it’s time to look back on some of the most under appreciated Nationals ever.

Behind the superstars of Washington’s 2012-2019 dominance, the role players provided depth and stability to star-studded lineups. 

At least three first-ballot Hall of Famers Bryce Harper, Max Scherzer, and Juan Soto will always be remembered, along with all-stars like Anthony Rendon and Trea Turner.

Since baseball was brought back to Washington DC in 2005, there have been many fantastic players that have made their mark, and of course, some bad ones, but that’s a conversation we can save for another day. 

Now let’s take a look across the diamond at the most underrated Nationals players ever. 

SP- Jordan Zimmermann

Jordan Zimmermann was the definition of a bulldog. In parts of 7 seasons in DC, Jordan made 178 starts, with a 3.32 ERA in 1094 innings. He made at least 32 starts in every season from 2012-2015, pitching over 200 innings twice, and he was named in all-star in 2013 and 2014.

Zimmerman was one of the best pitchers in Nationals history and never gets enough credit for it.

C- Yan Gomes

The first thought that will always pop into my head when thinking about a Nationals catcher is the Buffalo Wilson Ramos. Besides Ramos, we have never really had a stable franchise catcher in our team's history, but Gomes never gets the recognition he deserves for his stint in DC.

From 2019-2021, Gomes caught 191 games behind the dish, providing above-average defense, with an above-average bat for a catcher, with a .746 OPS. I will always love me some Yan Gomes.

1B- Adam LaRoche

After first thinking of the heavily underrated Nick Johnson, I knew I had to show Adam Laroche more love. 

A journeyman, Laroche made DC his home for 4 years from 2011-2014, having the best year of his career in 2012. Viva Laroche smacked 33 home runs and 100 RBIs, resulting in a 127 OPS+. He also brought home some hardware, winning the gold glove and Silver Slugger, and finishing 6th in MVP voting. I will never forget that sweet swing.

2B- Asdrubal Cabrera

Similar to the catching position, outside of Wilson Ramos, the Nationals have never had a franchise second baseman outside of Daniel Murphy's stint in Washington. 

Hopefully, Luis Garcia Jr can continue to blossom, but until then, I will lobby for Asdrubal Cabrera to be towards the top.

Focusing on his second term in DC, Asdrubal was claimed off waivers in 2019 with Brian Dozier struggling and was one of the bigger acquisitions that led us to a title. Asdrubal put up 0.9 bWAR and 40 RBIs with a 147 OPS+ in 38 games down the stretch, playing in every playoff game. Asdrubal will always be a legend in DC.

3B- Jeimer Candelario

Who does not love the candy man? Jeimer the gamer was signed to a 1-year deal after a down year in Detroit and played great baseball in 99 games with the Nats.

On a really bad 2023 Nats team, Jeimer put up 3.0 FWar, being snubbed for an all-star nod. Candelario hit 16 homers, put up a 122 wRC+, and was rated as one of the better defensive third basemen in baseball. Not only was his on-field play impressive, he was a clubhouse leader, and netted us DJ Herz via trade. Wish Candy Man spent more time in DC.

SS- Cristian Guzman

As not the biggest Cristian Guzman guy, besides Ian Desmond and Trea Turner, you can argue that Guzman is the 3rd best shortstop in our short history. 

Guzman provided solid play in 2008 and 2009, totaling 550 games from 2005-2010, having a career year in 2008 with a 4.6 bWAR, making the all-star team, and hitting .316. Guzman was never a cornerstone, but he deserves credit for being one of the better plays on some bad Nationals teams.

LF- Ryan Church

A forgotten National by many, Church was on the inaugural 2005 Nationals, after breaking into the big leagues with the Expos in 2004. Church put up 6.2 bWAR in three seasons with the Nationals, hitting 34 home runs with an OPS+ of 115 in 317 games. 

Church was as solid as you could get as an everyday player from 2005-2007, but will never rank among the best Nationals ever. 

CF- Rick Ankiel

This was the toughest position to rank on this list. Outside of Denard Span being the undisputed greatest Nationals center fielder of all time, there is not much to write home about after mentioning Victor Robles and Michael A Taylor.

So, I am deciding to show some love to Rick Ankiel, one of my favorite athletes of all time, with his incredible story of breaking into the big leagues as a 20-year-old ace in the rotation, before getting the yips and breaking back into the big leagues manny years later as an outfielder.

Ankiel spent 2011-2012 in Washington, putting up 1.7 bWAR in 122 games in 2011, with 9 home runs and above-average defense, before struggling in 2012 with injuries. Ankiel had an incredible career, and put up one of his best big league seasons as a position player in 2011 with the Cats. 

RF- Lane Thomas

When reflecting on the past, I think of Lane Thomas and how I do of Kirk Cousins. You do not appreciate them enough in the moment, but once they are gone, you realize how good they were.

Lane Thomas will never be a league-wide name, but he was a very solid player on some bad Nationals teams. Although he struggled vs righties, in 424 games in Washington, Lane put up 6.6 bWAR, with 60 home runs and a 112 OPS+ with 60 steals. His best season was in 2023, with a 3.3 bWAR, hitting 28 home runs with 20 steals and a .783 OPS. 

RP- Matt Thornton

In one of my first articles for District on Deck, I wrote about the great under appreciated career of Matt Thornton. 

Picked up on waivers from the Yankees, Thornton quickly became one of the most reliable relievers on playoff Nationals teams, finishing his Nationals career with a 1.71 ERA in 52 2/3 innings across two seasons in DC. Thornton only allowed two home runs and shut down lefties, finishing with a 232 ERA+.

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