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LAST MINUTE Free Agency Acquisitions for the Nationals by Noah Kravitz

    So good to see some Nationals Baseball as the team put together a 6-3 Spring Training victory vs. Houston

    There’s always a weird feeling to watch some baseball on the television after not having to watch some for the last few months. But our favorite sport is finally back, as the Washington Nationals put together an impressive 6-3 win versus the Astros. Led by top quality pitching, and impressive performances from younger players, those are the types of formulas Nats manager Davey Martinez wants to see translate to wins in the regular season. 

The Nationals are ready to get the 2025 season started.


Almost All-Star the season before Jake Irvin was the starting pitcher yesterday. Went a respectful one inning and was very efficient throwing a grand total of 8 pitches. There is a ton of hope for Jake Irvin to become one of the Nationals most reliable starting pitchers this season. Martinez is hoping for Irvin to pick back where he left off in the 1st half of the 2024 season, before taking a dip and finishing with an ERA in the high 4’s, as well as a WHIP that finished around average in baseball last season. 


Each pitcher thrown into the game threw a single inning, including Jose A. Ferrer, rule-5 pick Evan Reifert, Eduardo Salazar, Joan Adon, etc. Those 5 pitchers all combined 5 no-hit innings yesterday. Although a spring training game all but means absolutely nothing in an ideal world, it was encouraging to see consistent Nationals pitching in an exhibition game. 


Later on, Nationals minor league pitching phenomenon: Jarlin Susana took the mound and struggled mightily. Registering 34 total pitches in a single inning, while striking out 2 batters, walking 2 batters, and allowing a hit. We will be sure to see him out there on the mound again as he continues to prove himself as a valuable contributor to the Nationals minor league system. 


Clay Helvey, Tyler Stuart, and Marquis Grissom Jr. assumed the pitching duties in the later innings. Combining for 1 hit on two runs to shut the door for the Astros. A relatively fun outing for Nationals pitchers yesterday. 


Now onto the offensive side of the ball, where it was the younger players that took control of this offense. Dylan Crews slotted into the team’s leadoff spot and went 1-2 with a line drive single to drive Jacob Young home in the 3rd inning, which gave the team an early 1-0 lead. 


Yohandy (Yo-Yo) Morales also had a decent outing. Eventually pinch-hitting for catcher: Keibert Ruiz, and going 1-3 with an RBI single. 


But it was Robert Hassell III that turned heads, as he was the hero in the Nationals spring training game yesterday. Hassell drove in 3 runs in the top of the 9th to put the Nats on top 6-3. Hassell, one of two outfield prospects (James Wood) included in the infamous 2022 Juan Soto, is looking to find himself on the opening day roster as a 4th outfielder, or even a potential starter if he proves himself. 


Today, the Nationals face off against Juan Soto, and the New York Mets. First pitch is at 1:05pm. Make sure to tune-in, live on MASN. 

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