Nationals' new first base coach will somehow make fans even older

"Since Toboni took over, the one thing that has been consistent is his preference of hiring young and upcoming names in the coaching and front office ranks. Toboni, just 35-years-old himself, is the youngest POBO in baseball, and Butera, only 33-years-old, is the youngest big league skipper in over 50 years. Toboni and Butera have primarily chosen young and forward-thinking names to join them on their respective staffs, and the latest hire made by the duo will somehow make Nationals fans feel even younger."

"But back to their hire, the Nationals have brought in Corey Ray, a former big leaguer and Top 5 pick in the 2013 by the Milwaukee Brewers out of Louisville, to be their first base coach for at least the 2026 season. As a player, Ray was an outfielder who peaked as high as the #30 prospect in baseball before the 2017 season, but he was not exactly what you would look to as a burner,"

The Washington Nationals dismissed longtime leaders Mike Rizzo and Dave Martinez and installed Paul Toboni as President of Baseball Operations and Blake Butera as manager. The new regime prioritizes young, forward-thinking hires across coaching and front-office roles. The organization recently hired former top prospect Corey Ray as first base coach for at least the 2026 season. Ray was a Top 5 draft pick in 2013, reached as high as the #30 prospect before 2017, and compiled 89 stolen bases across six minor-league seasons. Ray previously worked as the Cubs’ minor-league baserunning coordinator and Low-A bench coach.

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