Fantasy Baseball Draft Outlook: Nick Senzel, Victor Robles, Carter Kieboom (2024)

MLB depth charts are helpful for a few reasons. First, they help identify “super-utility” players like Tommy Edman (2B, SS, OF – STL) or Spencer Steer (1B, 2B, 3B, OF – CIN), whose multi-positional eligibility elevates their value. Second, they highlight crowded positional situations on rosters, which can affect a player’s value depending on how they fall out. Below, we highlight some examples of this among NL teams. Some of these depth chart battles will be solved by opening day; others may not. Each situation is worth monitoring as you head towards your fantasy draft.

Washington Nationals Depth Chart

Position Battles: LF, CF, 3B, DH

Victor Robles has never quite lived up to the hype. After a strong 2019, he’s struggled with inconsistency and injuries. Now, he finds himself fighting for his job with the speedy Jacob Young in the outfield. Young stole 13 bases in 33 games this past season. If he wins the job, he could be a cheap source of steals for fantasy managers. New National Nick Senzel can also handle center field if both players falter. Senzel could also start at 3B if Carter Kieboom continues to underwhelm. If Kieboom finally breaks out, it will give manager Dave Martinez more flexibility to deploy Senzel around the diamond. Senzel is another player ticketed for stardom who has yet to figure it out. Given his versatility, if he can get regular at-bats and stay healthy, he’s an interesting bench candidate in deeper and NL-only leagues. The future at third base should be Brady House, who is in camp but has yet to play above Double-A. House has impressed at every minor league stop but probably won’t be ready until late in the season at the soonest.

Also new to the clubhouse are Joey Gallo and Jesse Winker, who is in camp as an NRI. Winker struggled after being traded to Seattle in 2022 and had an injury-plagued 2023 in Milwaukee. However, if he’s healthy this spring, he could secure most of the DH at-bats, given his past success. Gallo figures to be the primary left-fielder, with Stone Garrett as his only competition this spring. Garrett has some pop in his bat, but not on the level as Gallo, although he could hit close to .100 points higher. If Winker fails to make the team, Garrett should see a lot of DH plate appearances.

Two minor leagues to watch are outfielders James Wood and Dylan Crews. Neither has played above Double-A and thus, it’s unlikely either will make the team out of camp, though both are NRIs. However, either could be a factor later in the season. Wood is a lot like Gallo – a hulking lefty with a ton of power and swing-and-miss, which will limit his batting average. Crews is a better hitter but probably won’t be ready to deliver much on the fantasy front in 2024.

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MLB Tommy Edman Spencer Steer Victor Robles Jacob Young Nick Senzel Carter Kieboom Brady House Joey Gallo Jesse Winker Stone Garrett James Wood Dylan Crews