Sep 9, 2026, 11:17 AM ET

Washington Nationals infield prospect Eli Willits was promoted to Double-A Harrisburg on Tuesday after a strong campaign split between Single-A and High-A, per Spencer Nusbaum of the Athletic. The Nats' top-ranked prospect (MLB No. 4) slashed .300/.418/.500 in 47 games at Single-A, then .230/.392/.420 in 64 games at Double-A. Though the batting average took a dip at the higher level, his strikeout rate improved by more than four percent, settling in at 19.0 percent, which was also right around his walk rate of 18.7 percent. The speed was evident regardless of level, with the former first-overall draft pick swiping 60 bags in all this season. With a strong combination of contact, power, and speed, there's a reason why the switch-hitter is so highly regarded, and although the 18-year-old won't debut for a couple of years, he's a prized dynasty asset.--Jarod Rupp
Source: Spencer Nusbaum

Sep 1, 2026, 5:39 PM ET

Washington Nationals middle infielder CJ Abrams (back) is starting at shortstop and will bat leadoff in Tuesday's contest at home against the division-rival Atlanta Braves and right-hander A.J. Smith-Shawver, per MLB.com. Abrams, who continues to slowly transition over to second base on defense, was scratched from Monday's series opener against Atlanta with back tightness. He is back a day later, though, and fantasy managers need to get him back into their starting lineups as one of the most productive shortstops in the game this year. The 25-year-old left-handed hitter is slashing .267/.343/.506 this year with an .849 OPS, 29 home runs, 92 RBI, 26 stolen bases, and 81 runs scored across his 498 at-bats in his fourth full season in D.C. August was Abrams' worst month of the year, though, batting .173 (17-for-98) with a .519 OPS, one homer, five doubles, a triple, nine RBI, 12 runs scored, seven steals, seven walks, and 38 strikeouts in 24 games. He will try to turn things around over the final month in September. Abrams has hit .286 with an RBI in seven career at-bats against Smith-Shawver.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Sep 1, 2026, 2:35 PM ET

Washington Nationals infield prospect Seaver King homered in his latest game this past Sunday, now hitting .340 with a 1.077 OPS, nine home runs, and five stolen bases in 26 games since his return from the injured list on July 30. The Nats' fourth-ranked prospect is now slashing .304/.378/.536 with 14 home runs and nine steals at Triple-A Rochester in 59 games since earning a promotion to the minors' highest level in mid-May. Impressive as he's been, the organization has already stated that they don't intend to promote him to the big-league club this year, but that hasn't stopped them from preparing him to be with the team next season, as the former first-rounder manned third base for the first time in his career two weeks ago, and did so for a second time last week. The 23-year-old can be left on the waiver wire in redraft leagues, but his dynasty stock has helium, and with multiple pathways to the majors (including shortstop and second base), he could have an impact early next year.--Jarod Rupp
Source: MiLB.com

Aug 31, 2026, 6:17 PM ET

Washington Nationals middle infielder CJ Abrams (back) has been scratched from the starting lineup on Monday against the division-rival Miami Marlins due to back tightness, according to Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic. Nasim Nunez is starting at shortstop and is batting eighth, while Jorbit Vivas will make the start at second and hit sixth versus Marlins right-hander Ryan Gusto. The Baltimore Banner's Kyle W. reports that manager Blake Butera said on Monday that Abrams is going to be closer to a 50/50 split between shortstop and second base for the rest of the season. Butera said that Abrams has played a "lights-out shortstop" over the past couple of weeks. Fantasy managers should consider the 25-year-old to be day-to-day for now and check back on his status before Game 2 of the series against Miami on Tuesday. The former first-rounder and two-time All-Star has been one of the most valuable shortstops in fantasy in 2026, and he will soon be gaining second base eligibility. Abrams came into Monday's series opener with a .267/.343/.506 slash line, an .849 OPS, a career-high 29 home runs, 92 RBI, 26 stolen bases, and 81 runs scored across 131 games. His first 30-30 campaign is well within reach as long as his back injury is not serious.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Spencer Nusbaum

Aug 28, 2026, 3:00 PM ET

Washington Nationals infield prospect Seaver King is putting together an excellent month of August at Triple-A Rochester with a .356 batting average, eight homers and 16 RBI. King's red-hot hitting month could force the hand of the Nationals and he could be a priority pickup in fantasy leagues down the stretch this season. King is the No. 4 prospect in the Nationals system and the 23-year-old has a 50-grade hit tool with a 70-grade run tool. King brings a stolen base threat to the table and has combined for 14 stolen bases among the two minor league levels he has played at this season. He can bring that threat to the major leagues and give fantasy managers that extra category help with stolen bases being a possibility at the big leagues. King could be a difference maker late in the fantasy season.--Brian Buckey - RotoBaller
Source: Minor League Baseball

Aug 27, 2026, 3:15 PM ET

Washington Nationals infield prospect Devin Fitz-Gerald scuffled in his first taste of Double-A pitching, slashing .179/.248/.225 with one home run, a 27.3 percent strikeout rate, and a 5.5 percent walk rate over his first 38 games with Harrisburg. However, since then, the Nats' fifth-ranked prospect has slashed .364/.442/.591 with three home runs in his last 12 games, and lowered the strikeout rate to a more palatable 23.1 percent with a 9.6 percent walk rate. The 21-year-old still has time to develop and remains on track to see some time at Triple-A next year. If he can stay on course, a late-season debut in 2027 is possible; otherwise, look for the switch-hitter to have an impact in the big leagues in 2028. For now, he's simply a name to monitor in redraft leagues.--Jarod Rupp
Source: MiLB.com

Aug 24, 2026, 3:50 PM ET

Washington Nationals middle infielder CJ Abrams (ankle) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting leadoff for the Nats in their series opener on Monday at home against the Colorado Rockies and right-hander Ryan Feltner, per MLB.com. It will be Abrams' first game since spraining his left ankle last Wednesday against the Texas Rangers. Fantasy managers will want to get him back into their starting lineups in all traditional leagues amid a breakout 2026 campaign. The 25-year-old two-time All-Star is returning to a .279/.354/.530 slash line with an .884 OPS, 29 home runs, 91 RBI, 24 stolen bases, and 77 runs scored across his 470 at-bats in 2026. Although the former first-rounder was not happy when Washington recently asked Abrams to make the move from shortstop to second base, he is putting his ego aside in the best long-term interests of the organization. The left-handed slugger is hitless in just three career at-bats against Feltner, and he has gone just 15-for-70 (.214) with a .619 OPS, a homer, eight RBI, and five steals in 17 games so far in August.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Aug 23, 2026, 11:55 AM ET

Washington Nationals middle infielder CJ Abrams (ankle) is missing a fourth straight game on Sunday in the series finale in Miami against the division-rival Marlins, according to MLB.com. Nasim Nunez is at shortstop and is batting eighth, while Jose Tena will make another start at second and bat fifth for the Nats against Marlins right-hander Janson Junk. Abrams could be a candidate to land on the 10-day injured list early next week after spraining his left ankle in Wednesday's contest against the Texas Rangers. Fantasy managers will want to check back on his status on Monday before the start of a new series at home against the Colorado Rockies. The 25-year-old former first-rounder was recently asked to move from shortstop to second base, and although Abrams was not happy about the organization's decision, he is willing to do what is best for the franchise. Offensively, Abrams is in the midst of a career year and has been a must-start in all fantasy leagues, slashing .279/.354/.530 with an .884 OPS, 29 homers, 91 RBI, 24 steals, and 77 runs scored across his 124 games and 534 plate appearances in his fifth year in the majors.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Aug 22, 2026, 2:12 PM ET

Washington Nationals infield prospect Seaver King is red-hot at Triple-A Rochester with five homers in his last six games and eight homers and 15 RBI during the month of August while hitting .394. In 51 games since his promotion to Rochester, King is hitting .320 with 13 homers and 41 RBI to go with nine stolen bases. The talented middle infielder hit .336 at Double-A Harrisburg prior to his promotion, but has battled injuries this season. King is the No. 4 prospect for the Nationals out of Wake Forest and boasts 70-grade speed. Likely to be a big-time five-category producer at the major league level, King could get a look this season, but the Nationals have been hesitant to give him a promotion. With CJ Abrams and Nasim Nunez manning shortstop and second base respectively it is unlikely for King to get the call this year, but if he keeps up the power stroke he could force his way to a promotion.--Brian Buckey - RotoBaller
Source: Minor League Baseball

Aug 22, 2026, 2:11 PM ET

Washington Nationals middle infielder CJ Abrams (ankle) is missing a third straight game on Saturday against the division-rival Miami Marlins due to a left-ankle injury that he suffered in the ninth inning of Wednesday's game against the Texas Rangers, per MLB.com. Abrams is considered day-to-day for now, but if he is unable to return for the weekend series against Miami, the Nats could be forced to send him to the 10-day injured list next week. Nasim Nunez is starting at shortstop and batting ninth, while Jose Tena will man the keystone and hit sixth on Saturday against Marlins right-hander Eury Perez. Abrams, who recently was asked to move from shortstop to second base, is having a breakout 2026 campaign offensively, hitting .279/.354/.530 with an .884 OPS, 29 home runs, 91 RBI, 24 stolen bases, and 77 runs scored across 124 games and 534 plate appearances. He has already set career highs in home runs and RBI in his fifth year in the big leagues. Fantasy managers would really love to get good news that he will be ready to return for Sunday's series finale in Miami.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Aug 19, 2026, 9:14 AM ET

Washington Nationals infield prospect Seaver King went 1-for-5 on Tuesday at Triple-A Rochester, extending his hit streak to nine games, with his lone hit being a home run, which gives the Nats' fourth-ranked prospect a round-tripper in three of his last four contests. During the nine-game hit streak, the former first-rounder is 16-for-37 (.432) with two doubles, five home runs, and a pair of stolen bases. It brings his season slash line at Triple-A to .298/.372/.513 with 10 home runs and six steals in 48 games for the Red Wings. While it has been an impressive stretch, it was reported last week that the organization does not expect to promote the youngster to the majors in 2026, even despite moving incumbent CJ Abrams to second base. As such, there is no need to stash the 23-year-old in redraft leagues, though his dynasty arrow is still pointing up.--Jarod Rupp
Source: MiLB.com

Aug 18, 2026, 1:19 PM ET

The Athletic's Spencer Nusbaum reports that Washington Nationals two-time All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams "remains uneasy" about the team's decision to move him from shortstop to second base, according to his agent, Mike Sanders. However, both Abrams and the Nationals' front office have a desire to find common ground despite "lingering disagreement about the timing and the necessity of the position change." "I think, first, CJ was not thrilled about the decision to move him off shortstop at this time," Sanders said. "But his priority is to win games for the Nationals and to be a team-first player, so that is what he's going to do." Abrams views himself as a shortstop long-term and plans to spend the winter focusing on improving his defense at his preferred position. The 25-year-old is in the middle of an offensive breakout in 2026 -- he ranks sixth in FanGraphs' offensive value -- but he also ranks last in baseball in several defensive metrics despite his athleticism. For fantasy purposes, if Abrams' move to second does not tank his offensive numbers, it will boost his fantasy appeal by giving him eligibility at both second and shortstop for the 2027 campaign.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Spencer Nusbaum

Aug 17, 2026, 2:28 PM ET

Fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues who have been stashing Washington Nationals middle-infield prospect Seaver King all year shouldn't necessarily be expecting him to make his major-league debut late this year now that the Nats are moving CJ Abrams to second base, according to Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic. King, who is a top-100 prospect in MLB and Washington's No. 4 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has had a breakout 2026 campaign at Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester, slashing a combined .316/.398/.529 with a .928 OPS, 14 home runs, 59 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and 66 runs scored across 82 games played and 375 plate appearances. According to people familiar with the team's thinking, the Nationals are "reluctant" to rush King to the majors, and he can still benefit from more at-bats and defensive reps at Rochester. Nationals officials are also interested to see whether Abrams and Nasim Nunez can thrive in their flipped roles up the middle. Nunez offers more defensive upside and stability at the 6, but he's hitting just .228 with a .578 OPS in 408 plate appearances. In theory, Nusbaum writes that the Nationals could keep King at Triple-A for the rest of the season. There are multiple things to consider here for the Nats, but the optics of moving an All-Star (Abrams) off his primary position, and then having a rookie take his spot, "could have awkward consequences," especially if King is eventually moved off shortstop in the coming years.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Spencer Nusbaum

Aug 14, 2026, 5:40 PM ET

The Washington Nationals announced on Friday that shortstop CJ Abrams is going to start making the transition to second base for the rest of the 2026 season, with Nasim Nunez becoming the team's primary shortstop, according to Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com. The Nationals broached the subject with Abrams around a week ago, and he was on board with it. Abrams is at the 6 and is hitting leadoff for Friday's contest against the division-rival New York Mets, but the Nats will slowly begin to transition him over to the keystone. The 25-year-old has not played second base since he was with the San Diego Padres back in 2022. While the move will improve Washington's middle-infield defense, it will also make him more attractive in fantasy with both second base and shortstop eligibility for the 2027 season. The former sixth overall pick in 2019 is having his best year in the big leagues in his fourth full season in D.C., as he enters Friday's action with a .284/.357/.541 slash line, .898 OPS, a career-high 29 home runs, a league-leading 91 RBI, 23 stolen bases, and 76 runs scored in 119 games across 512 plate appearances.--Keith Hernandez
Source: NatsJournal.com - Mark Zuckerman