Washington Nationals Prospects
I'm excited to be in this org": Nationals prospect Gavin Fien opens up on his first year in pro baseball
The 19-year-old sits down with The Nats Report and discusses his whirlwind first year in professional baseball, adjusting to a new organization, and why trusting the process has become his biggest lesson.
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July 14, 2026 | Photos by
(Fredericksburg, VA) One year ago today, July 13, 2025, Gavin Fien was an 18-year-old high school infielder waiting for his name to be called in the MLB Draft.
Projected by many to go outside the top 15, Fien instead became one of the night’s biggest surprises when the Texas Rangers selected him No. 12 overall, betting on his upside as a power-hitting infielder.Less than eight months later, Fien’s career had already taken another dramatic turn. In January, he was part of the blockbuster trade that sent MacKenzie Gore to Texas, landing the 19-year-old in the Washington Nationals organization and instantly making him one of the more intriguing young prospects in their system.
"Words can't even describe it... just being an 18-year-old out of high school, what this means for me and my family," Fien told the media after signing with Texas. While Fien did not stay with the Rangers very long, his value to the organization proved to be incredibly useful.
On January 22 of this year, he and four other prospects were told they were heading to the nation’s capital in exchange for Washington’s ace, MacKenzie Gore.
What could have possibly been going through this 18-year-old’s mind, going from high school to two professional baseball organizations in less than eight months?“At first, it's honestly just shock, you don't really expect it,” Fien told The Nats Report’s Ryan Shenker in an exclusive interview. “I was at the Rangers facility rehabbing and then it kind of happened
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“ First year, even being injured a little, just getting as many reps as I can under my belt, really learning, and then just taking every game with the same approach. The stats will come if I stick to my plan
Gavin Fien
“At first, it's honestly just shock, you don't really expect it,” Fien told The Nats Report’s Ryan Shenker in an exclusive interview. “I was at the Rangers facility rehabbing and then it kind of happened quick. It's also excitement… knowing to trust the process and that this is going to work out.”
Quick Facts: Devin Fitz-gerald
Born: 8/17/2005 in Boca Raton, FL
High School: Stoneman Douglas, Parkland, FL
No. 165 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft
Ranked No. 9 Washington Nationals Prospect (MLB Pipeline)
Currently playing for the Wilmington Blue Rocks
Adjusting to a New Organization
Adjusting to life in the Washington Nationals organization after an unexpected trade is never easy, especially for a teenager still in his first year of professional baseball. But rather than viewing the move as a setback, Fien said the support around him, from familiar faces like fellow former Rangers prospect to the Nationals' player development staff, has helped make the transition a positive one.
“Obviously [Fitz-Gerald] coming over [was big], we were good buddies with the Rangers. He's having himself a year and all the other prospects are playing pretty solid,” Fien said. “Honestly, it's been a cool process. You get yourself out there a little too, and I think it's matured me a lot, adjusting to change. So it's been a good process, and I'm excited to be in this org.”
Fien was also not alone in terms of learning the process as a first round pick in his first year. Washington had another infielder in that same spot, their first overall pick from the same draft, in Eli Willits.
The two were able to go through their first Spring Training together, and started the season with one another in Fredericksburg. That has allowed the two to really grow a dynamic over an understanding of an incredibly rare experience
.“[Eli and I] played some prep ball together, and when I came over, he was very welcoming,” Fien said.
“Also, just seeing him go about his process is pretty cool. He’s a consistent baseball player who shows up every day and competes. And then I was hurt in the start of the year and just watching from the back, but just watching him go about his business has been cool. I've learned a lot, so I'm excited to push each other throughout the years.”
Finding His Rhythm on the Field
While the transition brought positives, it was also interrupted by a wrist injury that delayed the start of Fien’s first full professional season. Rather than dwelling on the setback, he used the time to better understand his body and the demands of a longer schedule.
“Even in the spring, I was kind of banged up… I was on the IL and that taught me a lot too, just how to help my body,” Fien said. “And then when I got back, it was honestly like spring training over again.”
Since returning on May 13th, Fien has appeared in 43 games, logging 176 at-bats while posting a .261 batting average with seven home runs, 17 extra-base hits, and 39 RBI. As he settled back into game action, his production began to climb, highlighted by a .909 OPS in June and a strong start to July.For Fien, that improvement has come from learning how to manage the daily grind of professional baseball while staying consistent in both his mindset and preparation.
“I think it's just consistency,” Fien explained. “When you're younger, you kind of ride the highs and lows… but it's really not. It's just learning how to show up every day and give it all I’ve got.”
That mentality has translated into a more controlled and simplified approach at the plate. “I think it's just simplicity… getting a good pitch and just sticking to my plan as opposed to forcing things,” he said.
That approach aligns closely with what the Nationals’ player development staff has emphasized since his arrival - trusting the process, committing to repetition, and focusing on long-term growth.“I think just the support and commitment to your plan… it's very welcoming, and they want to get the most out of you,” Fien said. “I think over time I've gotten very solid at that.”
“
Also, just seeing him [Eli Willits] go about his process is pretty cool. He’s a consistent baseball player who shows up every day and competes
Gavin Fien
Looking Ahead with a Consistent Approach
One year after hearing his name called in the first round of the MLB Draft, Fien has already experienced more change than most prospects face in several seasons. Between a first-round selection, a blockbuster trade, an injury, and the adjustment to a new organization, the 19-year-old has learned that consistency often matters more than circumstance.
As he continues his first season in the Nationals system, he hopes that's exactly what fans notice when they see him take the field.“I just want to present myself as someone who's confident,” Fien said.
“Maybe you come to one game and you're not going to get a hit every game or whatever, but someone who kind of trusts himself and believes in himself. Someone who's just consistent in his approach. That's what I'm trying to present to the fans.”
Ryan Shenker serves as managing editor of The Nats Report, covering the Washington Nationals Organization. All statistics referenced in this article are current as of May 19, 2026.
Follow the latest Nationals news, prospect updates, and analysis at thenatsreport.com.
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“
So I was just sitting in a meeting and our farm director came in, pulled me out, told me I was getting traded for MacKenzie Gore with a couple other prospects and I was just shocked more than anything. I didn't think it was going to be a possibility that I was going to get traded. I thought I was for sure set since it was already January getting ready to go to spring training
Devin fitz-gerald · Texas Rangers No. 165 Overall Pick, 2024
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