(Photo from USA Baseball)
Editor’s Note - A full Q&A transcript of this interview is available here, exclusively for Nats Report + subscribers.
It was one year ago today, July 13, 2025, that an 18-year-old Gavin Fien sat and waited for a phone call that would change his life. The evening was lined up to be a potentially long one for the 6-foot-3 infielder, as final mock drafts had him falling to pick No. 19, while MLB ranked him as the draft's No. 22 prospect. The Texas Rangers, however, saw something to believe in with the prep hitter and made him the 12th overall selection, a move that drew mixed but mostly positive reactions. "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 over the course of 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 quick. It's also excitement when Paul [Toboni] called me and Devin Pearson and… [knowing] to trust the process and that this is going to work out, so… that's been a big thing.”
Adjusting to a New Organization
Adjusting to life in a new 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 Devin Fitz-Gerald 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 Fien's transition to a new organization came with plenty of positives, it was also interrupted by the aforementioned injury, as trouble with his wrist interrupted the start of his first full season. Rather than focusing on the setback, however, the now 19-year-old viewed the rehab process as another opportunity to grow.
“Even in the spring, I was kind of banged up and then got to the season,” said Fien. “Obviously I was on the IL and that taught me a lot too, just how to help my body and… how to go about that. And then when I got back, it was… honestly like spring training over again, getting some looks, maybe not as consistent as I want. And then I feel like once I got to June, I really settled in and I feel like I'm in a good spot. So I think it's just learning how to handle my body and then show up to play every day.”
Since returning on May 13th, Fien has taken 176 at-bats in 43 games, posting a .261 batting average with seven home runs, 17 total extra base hits, and 39 RBI. In June, he posted a remarkable .909 OPS, and is at an .814 for the month of July, though it is just halfway over.
“I think it's just consistency,” Fien explained. “When you're younger, you kind of ride the highs and lows. So I think outside of baseball and in baseball… it's just learning how to show up every day and give it all I’ve got. While if you have a good week in high school, you kind of get high or you have a bad week, you think it's the end of the world, but it's really not. So I think just staying the path has been a big learning curve that I've took on.”
That mentality has translated into the batter's box as well. Rather than chasing results, Fien said his focus is on sticking to a simple approach every time he steps to the plate.
“I think it's just simplicity, just letting it happen, not forcing things, getting a good pitch and just sticking to my plan as opposed to getting almost too happy to hit sometimes and looking to do damage rather than letting it come to you,” Fien said.
That philosophy has also aligned with what the Nationals' player development staff has preached since his arrival in the organization.
“I think just the support and commitment to your plan and stuff, what they want to get out of me in my first year is just a lot of reps and sticking to the plan,” Fien said. “I think over time I've gotten very solid at that. So I think it's just committing to that and what they have for you here. It's very welcoming in a sense, and they want to get the most out of you.”
With nearly half of his first full professional season still ahead of him, Fien said his goals have little to do with the numbers on the back of his baseball card.
“Right now I'm in a pretty solid spot and I just want to stay consistent with it,” Fien said. “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. Obviously the stats are cool and all, but when I stick to my plan, usually good things happen. So it's just making sure that I'm dialing that in.”
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 most. 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.”