Off- season homework assignments- part 2

Every Nationals baseball fan wants to see our team succeed. Being able to succeed starts with a strong, consistent lineup. Here are my opinions on how the Nationals fielders can improve this off- season to hopefully see success in 2025. 

Jose Tena 

Jose Tena was acquired from the Cleveland Guardians as part of the Lane Thomas trade. He has a strong bat but needs to work on his fielding abilities. Ground balls that were hit to third base resulted in a single because of Tena’s inability to field. I am aware Tena is listed as a second baseman, but throughout his 44 games with the Nats, 33 of those games have been at third.  

CJ Abrams 

CJ Abrams has proven himself to be our starting shortstop, but his area of needed work is his bat. He was inconsistent all season, especially since the all- star break. Before the all-star break, Abrams hit .268 with 15 homers and 48 RBIs, since he hit .203 with only 5 home runs and 17 RBIs. 

Juan Yepez 

Juan Yepez was brought up from Rochester in early July. This season, Yepez alternated between first base, and DH, proving his ability to field and hit. His concept of needed improvement is his baserunning. He is ranked below average on his baserunning value. There were numerous occasions with Yepez on base that resulted in him getting called out. 

Catching 

Behind the plate, our catching has been solid all season. Cycling through a rotation of Keibert Ruiz, Riley Adams, and Drew Millas, our catchers have proved their spots in the majors. But some struggles that need to be worked out are throwing runners out at second and controlling the ball. Keibert Ruiz is in the 3rd percentile in throwing runners out at second after an attempted steal.  

The 2024 season came with obstacles, but our fielders rose up and accepted those challenges. Hoping for a strong 2025 season.