It’s only preseason. We can and should keep telling ourselves that, but you can’t watch what the Washington Nationals are doing in Florida these days and not get excited.
With two weeks of spring training to go, the Nationals 9-9 record trails only five other teams in Grapefruit League play, but more importantly, many key players are showing positive signs.
The bats
Catcher Keibert Ruiz, who struggled much of last year, leads the team in homers and RBI this spring. Likely starting outfielders James Wood and Dylan Crews are both batting over .300. Luis Garcia (.429), possible fourth outfielder Robert Hassell (.405) and likely utility infielder Nasim Nunez (.440) are raking.
Newly acquired first baseman Nate Lowe has yet to impress with the bat, but his career .272 average suggests he’ll come around soon enough.
The arms
Presumptive staff aces MacKenzie Gore and Jake Irvin look solid, as does offseason acquisition Michael Soroka. Those three have surrendered a total of two earned runs in 26 innings of work. Likely closer Jose Ferrer has given up three hits and no runs in six games. One point of concern: Shinnosuke Ogasawara, who came to the Nats from Japan this offseason, hasn’t been fooling many hitters so far.
Playoff contention?
It all adds up, in this writer’s opinion, to an 85-win season and serious playoff contention. Time will tell, but this much is certain: Nats fans have ample reasons to feel good about the season opener against the Phillies at Nats Park on Thursday, March 27.
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