The roster he completed the season with was drastically completely different than the roster he began the season with, and supervisor Davey Martinez talked earlier than the Nationals’ 2024 finale about what he thought have been the largest developments for the membership from one other (re)constructing 12 months in Washington, D.C.
“The most important factor is clearly our younger pitching,” Martinez mentioned of the continued development from MacKenzie Gore and Jake Irvin, and the emergence of DJ Herz and Mitchell Parker (with Josiah Grey out after Tommy John, and Cade Cavalli now aiming for a 2025 return after setbacks in his rehab from TJS this 12 months).
“Seeing a few of these guys come up [who] we thought they wouldn’t be right here but, and doing what they’ve achieved,” Martinez mentioned, “they’ve achieved very well. However I additionally like getting a few of our guys — like I’ve mentioned earlier than, getting a few of our younger, on a regular basis gamers [like James Wood and Dylan Crews] up right here, and doing what they did and gaining expertise, it’s undoubtedly going to assist them coming into subsequent 12 months.”
Although much less heralded than his outfield companions to the left (Wooden) and proper (Crews), 25-year-old, 2021 seventh Spherical draft choose Jacob Younger had a breakout season, ending tied for second within the majors in DRS (11) amongst certified heart fielders, with good, not nice, numbers on the plate (.256/.316/.331, 24 doubles, 3 HRs, 33 stolen bases).
“Jacob Younger, I imply, what he’s achieved this 12 months was actually, actually, actually good. I imply, I say this on daily basis, each time I see him, the man is a Gold Glover. And his hitting goes to get so much higher, however man, when you have got the type of — should you can take a group and actually be actually good in the course of the sphere, you’re going to be good, defensively, and also you’re going to assist your pitching employees. And he did that for us this 12 months, which was superior. So like I mentioned, there’s a whole lot of positives, a whole lot of good issues.”
They didn’t get to the postseason, as they seemingly anticipated, whereas holding out hope, however in accordance with Martinez’s evaluation, they aren’t too far-off both.
“We didn’t get to the place we wished to be,” he acknowledged, “which is to attempt to get within the playoffs once more, however I feel these days are actually coming.”
In the long run, he mentioned over the ultimate weekend of the season, he appreciated the hassle his group put forth, refusing to stop, combating again all season, and taking part in exhausting whatever the general outcomes.
“As I mentioned all 12 months lengthy, these guys will not be going to surrender. They play exhausting, they actually do. I’ve by no means seen them hand over as soon as … so I’m actually pleased with them.”
And The @FXBGNats Advance!@travissykora1 struck out 9 in 5.0 innings of one-hit ball, Elijah Inexperienced tied the sport within the seventh with a solo HR and Kevin Bazzell plated a run with a single within the ninth to ship the Fredericksburg Nationals to the Carolina League Championship Sequence. pic.twitter.com/PKDRMe7EPs
— Nationals Participant Improvement (@Nats_PlayerDev) September 13, 2024
Martinez mentioned over the ultimate weekend of the season he was pleased with the event he noticed from the pitchers within the majors, and excited concerning the subsequent wave of prospects coming by way of the system.
“We’re in a great place with our younger starters and nonetheless the blokes we’ve acquired developing, with Cade [Cavalli] hopefully being wholesome subsequent 12 months in Spring Coaching.”
“We had this man [Brad] Lord that did very well,” he added. “[Travis] Sykora, who’s pitched, as you understand, very well. [Jarlin] Susana is growing very well. We’re actually enthusiastic about our beginning pitching.”
