Washington Nationals news & notes: Nats win MLB Draft Lottery, pick No. 1 overall + Winter Meetings update…

National team wins the draft lottery. no. One overall recommendation:

For the first time since 2010, when they took Stephen Strasburg with the No. 1 pick in 2009 and Bryce Harper with the No. 1 overall pick in 2010, the Washington Nationals had a No. 1 pick in the draft. MLB draft Lottery held last night at the Winter Meetings in Dallas, Texas.

This is the third time in franchise history that the club has had the No. 1 pick.

The Nats had a 10.2% chance of winning the No. 1 pick in this year’s lottery, but they won the lottery and picked No. 1 again in the MLB Draft, which GM Mike Rizzo always calls his personal Super Bowl. I will do it.

Rizzo and others in the Nationals’ front office are sure to be excited about the latest developments as they continue to reboot the organization they launched at the 2021 trade deadline.

Being the No. 1 overall pick in the draft is a great way to speed your return to competition…

“Obviously skills and tools are important, but we have to dig deeper into that,” Rizzo said of his approach to the top pick in an interview with MLB Network after the Nationals won the draft lottery. spoke.

“There’s a lot of pressure [the] 1/1 [pick] And we are working on this issue,” he admitted. “This is the fourth 1/1 pick in my career. We’re looking for people who can play the game and have the character to fit seamlessly into the organization, both culturally and developmentally. And we’re looking for the best talent. ” You can find players who have an impact. ”

When asked what he learned from his past three 1/1 picks (including the No. 1 pick in 2005 while at Arizona), Rizzo said it’s important not to focus on just one player. he said.

“What we learned from these picks is not to get too focused on one player in one draft season,” the GM explained. “Please conduct a thorough investigation across the country.

“And you can do some interesting things and influence the overall draft, especially because the draft pool is so much larger and the way the money is allocated differently.”

As someone who loves scouting and the draft, Rizzo was genuinely excited to have the No. 1 pick again.

“It’s very interesting and intriguing on so many different levels. There are so many paths we can go down,” he told MLB Network hosts.

“We are obviously very excited about where we are right now. We have a good system in place right now.

“Having the No. 1 pick adds value to our organization on top of that.

“We’re very excited and lucky. We don’t want to be in this position again.”

Winter Meeting Update:

Washington’s 16-win improvement from 2022 to 2023 (from 55 to 71 wins) was really a small step forward for an organization undergoing a reboot/rebuild, but a second consecutive 71-win season in 2024 still remains a club This was seen as a positive development for the country. Considering who was on last year’s team roster.

“We got really, really young last year,” Nationals manager Davey Martinez told reporters Monday at the 2024 winter meetings in Dallas, Texas.

How young are you? The Nationals’ 2024 season review states:

• The Nationals have played a total of 713 games this season with players 24 and under, the most in the National League and the second-most in the Major Leagues (Detroit, 740).
• Of the Nationals’ 162 starting mound appearances this year, 84 have been by pitchers 26 or younger, the third most in the National League behind Miami (126) and Cincinnati (113), and Arizona (84). lined up.

According to Baseball Reference, the “24 Nats” batters are the second-youngest in the majors (average age 26.4), and the average age of the entire roster is 25.9, tied for the youngest in the majors. 15 of the players made their major league debuts last season, “…the third most.” [rookies] They have used it in seasons since 2005, followed by 2021 (17 times) and 2006 (18 times). ”

“For them to be able to do what they did last year is a testament to how hard they worked and how hard they played,” Martinez said.

“We have a good core group. I know we are working hard to get better and we will get even better with our young players.”

The experience their young core (James Wood, Dylan Cruz, CJ Abrams, Luis Garcia Jr., Keibert Lewis, Mackenzie Gore, Jake Irvin, DJ Hurts, Mitchell Parker, etc.) gained last year. was one of the biggest growths. to a manager who worked in the nation’s capital for seven years.

“As I said at the end of last year, I think the experience our young players gained, their growth last year will definitely help us in 2025,” he said.

“We have a young group, we have a really good talented group, and we look forward to getting back on the field with them in spring training and getting ready for next season.”

Of course, before returning, the team will be looking at additions to address needs identified in offseason analysis.

“Look, we have a young core. We don’t want to ruin what we have and we don’t want to take anything away from the kids that are coming up,” Martinez said. Explained.

“But we need to add some veteran players. We’re looking at all kinds of options. I think we’re already talking to quite a few players. I’m working on that.

“as you know, [GM and President of Baseball Ops Mike Rizzo]he’s going to go out there and work hard to make us better.

“Right now, I’m talking to some of the players about their spring training schedule, watching them practice and hitting and everything else.

Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images

“My focus is on what we have now.

“It would be great to have more players to help us.”

First base? Third base? DH? What are they looking to add to their lineup?

“We’re definitely looking for power hitters at both corner spots,” Martinez said.

“Maybe in the DH slot. Let’s see what happens.”

What kind of bat do you want to hit this winter?

“The 40 home run guy,” Martinez said. “Hey, if I have to platoon, I’ll platoon. But like I said, I’m going to look at what’s available and see what I can come up with.”

“We’re working hard. We’re keeping an eye on the free agent market. In fact, we’re also looking at some trade opportunities. Let’s see what we can come up with. .”