"What was supposed to be a step forward season for the Washington Nationals turned into more of the same. The 2025 Nats limped to a 66-96 finish, extending their losing-season streak to six and falling further off track after a slightly more competitive 2024. Progress never came, and in July, the Nats ownership moved both longtime manager Davey Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo out of the picture."
"Now, with a new front office led by Paul Toboni and a new manager in Blake Butera, the Nationals hope to reset and finally start moving forward in 2026. Young players like CJ Abrams, James Wood, MacKenzie Gore and Daylen Lile showed signs of promise last season. But several others who were expected to be part of the core took a big step backward."
"Fans hoped the 23-year-old would blossom into a star outfielder, especially with his college teammate Paul Skenes, the No. 1 pick in that same draft, already dominating in Pittsburgh. Crews debuted late in 2024 and came into 2025 with high expectations. But things didn't go as planned. In 85 games, Crews hit just .208 with a .632 OPS and struggled to make consistent hard contact. He struck out 76 times while drawing just 24 walks."
"He showed some flashes with 10 home runs, 17 stolen bases and steady defense in the outfield, but his overall offensive production fell well short of projections. A lingering oblique injury sidelined him for nearly three months, and he struggled to find his rhythm after returning, though signs of progress emerged later in the year. Through his first two seasons, he's hitting just .211 in the big leagues."
The Washington Nationals regressed to a 66-96 record in 2025, extending a six-season streak of losing campaigns and prompting ownership to remove longtime manager Davey Martinez and GM Mike Rizzo. A new front office under Paul Toboni and manager Blake Butera aims to reset the franchise for 2026. Several young players, including CJ Abrams, James Wood, MacKenzie Gore and Daylen Lile, showed promise, but other projected core pieces declined. Second-overall pick Dylan Crews struggled offensively, battled an oblique injury, and must deliver a significant bounce-back season for the rebuild to gain traction.
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