The Washington Nationals have one of the most well-equipped farm systems in baseball, and every year around February and March it churns out a crop of players who turn big league spring training invites into coming out parties.
Washington’s collection of 40-man roster members and 20 non-roster invitees who make up the spring training guest list all have different motives to show out in Viera, Florida.
Aaron Barrett, for example, already has an Opening Day roster spot locked up. But spring training will be his chance to show teammates and coaches he’s recovered from October’s debacle in San Francisco.
Michael A. Taylor, on the other hand, is in the limbo stage of his career, stuck between the majors and the minors. Spring training is his chance to prove himself invaluable to Washington’s big league roster now rather than later.
Then there are players, like Tyler Moore, just trying to stay afloat in the big leagues, meaning a poor spring training could have disastrous career consequences.
Washington isn’t looking for a savior of the franchise. It has about five of those in the starting rotation alone.
What the Nationals are searching for is a final piece or two that could shore up the few weaknesses they have and help turn this World Series run they’re supposed to make into a reality.
The following are five players who could turn heads in spring training and fit that mold.