WEST PALM BEACH, FL - Nathaniel Lowe is experiencing his first spring training with the Washington Nationals, and he's already making a strong impression, both with his play and his perspective. He's also embracing his role as a veteran presence on the team, albeit with a touch of humor. “I hope the guys aren’t scared to say something (to me),” Lowe said, perhaps half-joking and half-serious. “Because I know in that situation, I was freaking out when you see guys with some time. It’s still weird to be considered one of the older guys. But we’ll make the most of it.”

In December, the Nationals acquired Nathaniel Lowe for reliever Robert Garcia because he filled a glaring need on their roster: a first baseman who can both hit for power and play smooth defense. And unlike free agents Pete Alonso and Christian Walker, he came relatively cheap (he’ll make $10.3 million this season, with a raise in store for 2026, his final year of arbitration eligibility). This strategic move allows the Nationals to address a key weakness without breaking the bank.  

Lowe's approach at the plate is characterized by a lack of unnecessary movement. "He hits lefties well, just as good as he hits righties," Martinez noted, a valuable asset for any hitter. He's even offered to share his insights with the team's younger left-handed hitters. "Something that, you know, I told him," Martinez explained, "you know, I asked him that if he talked to our young left-handed hitters of how he approaches the left-handed pitchers, he's going to do that for us because he does stay on the ball really, really well."

Lowe's approach isn't just about contact; he's got his eye on increasing his power numbers too. “More power,” he said.

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