Ardent Nationals Fan

My dad and I used to go to a lot of Hagerstown Suns games. The stadium has since been torn down and "replaced" by a downtown stadium that is home to an independent pro team, unaffiliated with MLB (called the Boxcars). Because the Suns were a low-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, Dad and I quickly became Washington Nationals fans. We enjoyed following the careers of future hall-of-famers like Bryce Harper and Juan Soto. Harper eventually became a free agent and walked, while Soto was traded for a big prospect haul. Luis Garcia, Jr. is our last Hagerstown Sun to still be playing for the Washington Nationals. He's having a pretty good year so far in 2026.

Bryce Harper - now a Phillie

Juan Soto - Padre, Yankee, and now a Met

Luis Garcia, Jr.  - still a National

The Nationals won the world series in 2019, the year my dad died. It was unfortunate that my dad didn't live to see it, but I know he was watching from heaven. Since 2019, I have become an ardent Washington Nationals fan. Somehow, it makes me feel closer to my dad.  Not only do I follow the Nationals, but I follow their minor league affiliates as well:  Fredericksburg Nationals (low A), Wilmington Blue Crabs (high A), Harrisburg Senators (double A), and Rochester Redwings (triple A). I know who's up and who's down in the farm system. Just ask me. It's always fun wondering who will make it and who won't.

FUTURE NATIONAL STARS!?  (STILL IN THE MINORS)

Eli Willits - 2025 #1 draft pick excelling at low A

Travis Sykora - sidelined after TJ surgery

Jarlin Susana - also recovering from surgery

Seaver King (AAA) - rising star soon to debut?

Devin Fitz-Gerald (high A) - a sleeper?

The Nationals have been very bad ever since they won their world series. They've won only 1944 games, while losing 2164, almost always last in their division. It's been hard being a fan (akin to being a Redskins fan during the Snyder era). Even their minor league teams have been bad, with very few prospects ever panning out. Things seem to be changing now, and I'm excited about the future of the team. As of this post, the Nats are 1 game over 500. They have the highest scoring offense in MLB. They have two superstars who deserve to start in this year's All Star game: C.J. Abrams and James Wood (both acquired in the Juan Soto) trade. The National's farm system is vastly improved. If the National's hitting continues and the pitching improves to just average, they could find themselves competing for a playoff spot. Brad Lord (middle reliever) is also All Star worthy, in my opinion. Cade Cavilli and Foster Griffin are solid starting pitchers.

WILL THESE GUYS PAN OUT FOR THE NATS?

Dylan Crews - back in the show, but . . . 

Brady House - optioned to AAA

"Yoyo" Morales - when will he get his chance?

Harry Ford (AAA) - what happened?

Elijah Green (high A) - a total bust?

About a year ago, the Nationals fired their manager and GM, the same guys that led them to the world series in 2019. In the off season, they cleaned house. They hired almost all new people, and most of them are on the young side. They invested heavily in analytics. They've brought a different brand of baseball to the Nation's Capitol. I'm enjoying the ride so far. Go Nats!