SPRING TRAINING COVERAGE 2025

THE LEAD

One of the single biggest factors in the Nationals taking the next step forward is the season-long performance of yesterday’s starting pitcher, MacKenzie Gore. Last season’s surface stats were similar to 2023, but he quietly sliced more than a run off of his FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching, which reads like ERA but only takes into account those things over which the pitcher alone has control on defense - walks, strikeouts, and home runs) and made noticeable improvement in the three areas in which he struggles the most: command, control, and self-control when things go wrong behind him. See more below!

 SPRING TRAINING COVERAGE 2025

Game Recap

A Gore who can regularly record sixteen scoreless outs on 77 pitches with just two hits, three walks, and six strikeouts is an All-Star, and you can see why A.J. Preller - perhaps the sharpest judge of amateur talent in the sport - picked Gore third in the 2017 draft. Pitchers take longer to develop than position players (there is even more fine-tuning involved), and it is exceptionally rare for a rookie Justin Verlander to post a 4-WAR season for a moribund franchise, rarer still for a 20-year-old Clayton Kershaw to show up and more or less immediately be a top-ten pitcher. Gore was drafted that high because Preller believed he had that talent. Allowing only two fly balls against four grounders (with three double plays made behind him) on top of the strikeout stuff is eye-raising, to say the least.

Offensively, the Nats put up nine runs, capped by a five-run eighth that showcased just how much better the high minors are on Washington’s side than on Houston’s. Cayden Wallace hit a two-run double, and Nasim Nuñez continued to show that if, say, Paul DeJong turns out to be Dutch for Corey Dickerson, he should be able to hold his own (two hits, a steal, and a run scored thanks to his wheels).

 PERSPECTIVE

Gore’s Potential

Pitcher A, age 25 (third season): 32 starts, 166.1 innings, 3.90 ERA/3.53 FIP, 65 walks, 181 strikeouts, 1.419 WHIP

Pitcher B, age 25 (third season): 31 starts, 195.2 innings, 3.50 ERA/3.71 FIP, 70 walks, 184 strikeouts, 1.247 WHIP

I would still rather have Pitcher B’s (Max Scherzer) almost thirty extra innings with a better WHIP, but that’s pretty identical otherwise. Scherzer was in his fourth full season as a starter before he cracked a strikeout per inning, a number which Pitcher B (Gore) has never fallen below. There’s a non-zero chance that Gore is poised to take another step forward this year.

AD

Wake up with Peet’s Coffee and the Morning Briefing

Peet’s Coffee is crafted for those who crave delicious coffee without the brewing; this versatile blend holds its own in any creation. Silky-smooth and delicious, hot or cold, it takes just one tablespoon and a couple of moments to whip up whatever cup you're craving. Order yours today to take advantage of their limited-time intro price.

 WHAT WE THINK THE NATIONALS FRONT OFFICE IS READING

Speed Reads

📌 Rutledge (finally) Officially to ‘Pen (The Nats Report)

📌 Law’s Breakout Candidates (The Athletic)

📌 How Much of Spring Training Is Real? (ESPN)