The Washington Nationals scored a major win in the 2025 MLB Draft. In previous years, the Nationals’ draft strategy under Mike Rizzo often felt reactive, with swings on raw talent that lacked a defined development path. But this year was different. Interim GM Mike DeBartolo and his front office delivered on a clear, well-executed plan.
DeBartolo, a more modern and analytically inclined decision-maker, brought a refreshing shift in direction by targeting high-upside high school players early and often. For the first time in recent history, the Nationals weren’t just collecting names, but actually building a system with a purpose.