Fansided

Fantasy Baseball: 2020 Washington Nationals fantasy preview

By Mike Marteny

MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 19: Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals talks with Stephen Strasburg #37 in the dugout against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on April 19, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 19: Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals talks with Stephen Strasburg #37 in the dugout against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on April 19, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
washington nationals, fantasy baseball
JUPITER, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 23: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals at bat during the spring training game against the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on February 23, 2020 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

2020 Washington Nationals projected starting lineup:

Trea Turner, SS (.298, 19 HR, 57 RBI, 35 SB in 521 AB)
Adam Eaton, RF (.279, 15 HR, 49 RBI, 15 SB in 566 AB)
Starlin Castro, 2B (.270 ,22 HR, 86 RBI, 2 SB in 636 AB with MIA)
Juan Soto, LF (.282, 34 HR, 110 RBI, 12 SB in 542 AB)
Victor Robles, CF (.255, 17 HR, 65 RBI, 28 SB in 546 AB)
Eric Thames, 1B (.247, 25 HR, 61 RBI, 3 SB in 396 AB with MIL)
Yan Gomes, C (.223, 12 HR, 43 RBI, 2 SB in 314 AB)
Carter Kieboom, 3B (.128, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB in 39 AB)

Turner did all of that damage last year while still missing 40 games. He’s not up there with Tulo and Lindor just yet, but he’s a nice option in the third round or so if you decide to wait on SS.

Soto is one of the elite guys. He doesn’t steal bags at the rate of Acuna or Trout, but he is still just 21 years old. If he’s not one of the first five picks off the board in a dynasty league, you’re doing it wrong. Actually, I couldn’t argue with him being in the top five of any draft. Be prepared to use a single-digit pick to get Soto.

We haven’t heard much about Adam Eaton’s tenure in Washington and we’ve heard a lot about what got sent back to Chicago in that deal. That’s not to say that Eaton hasn’t been a good piece. He scored 100 runs last year and has hit for a high average his whole time in a Nats uniform. He’s a solid piece to round out your outfield in standard leagues.

Starlin Castro posted a career high in home runs playing in a cavernous home park last year and he played in every game. That kind of versatility is nice to go with strong all-around numbers. I like Castro at MI in later rounds.

Robles, like Soto, is still young and raw in many ways. He may never hit .280 like Soto, but Robles is a 30-30 threat over a full season. He’s a strong option as your second or third outfielder.

The bottom of this lineup is a mess, mostly because of platoon situations. Ryan Zimmerman will split time with Thames. Kurt Suzuki is going to see plenty of games spelling Gomes.

Prospects to watch:

Asdrubal Cabrera is still around in case Kieboom falters. Kieboom is a nice prospect and could be in for a big season. I’m not willing to pay a high asking price for him though in standard redraft leagues. Kieboom did hit .303 at AAA last year.

Home/Fantasy Baseball