The best and most consistent MLB organizations aren’t necessarily the ones that spend the most money on free agents.
The elite is comprised of teams that have a keen eye to identify talent and the ones that do their best to nurture and develop their players into reliable contributors.
It’s safe to say that the Washington Nationals aren’t in that category.
Their most recent run of success ended in 2019.
Yes, it delivered a World Series title that year, but they haven’t done a single thing right since those days.
This is particularly true when it comes to the draft.
This stat highlighted by Nats insider Andrew Golden is very revealing.
“Lot of notable stats in here. This one stood out to me: ‘But since 2012, the Nationals have not drafted any hitter who’s reached 10 career home runs. Andrew Stevenson (8), Carter Kieboom (8) and Sheldon Neuse (7) are the only Nationals draftees who have topped five home runs,’” Golden tweeted.
Lot of notable stats in here. This one stood out to me:
“But since 2012, the Nationals have not drafted any hitter who’s reached 10 career home runs. Andrew Stevenson (8), Carter Kieboom (8) and Sheldon Neuse (7) are the only Nationals draftees who have topped five home runs.” https://t.co/u4zfvLTokA
— Andrew Golden (@andrewcgolden) July 5, 2023
He was citing a report that named the Nationals as the worst team in baseball at drafting hitters in the last decade.
That’s an abysmal record right there: how does Washington expect to compete when none of the hitters they have drafted since 2012 have yet to hit 10 homers in the majors?
They have been active in the trade market, too, but they haven’t had too much luck there either.
It’s important to remember that Bryce Harper was drafted more than a decade ago and that Juan Soto was signed as an international free agent.
The Nats are last in the NL East with a 34-51 record.
Now we have a better idea as to why.
NEXT:
The Nationals Now Own A Unique Active MLB Streak