Washington Nationals' Best Player Ranking in MLB RIVALS. See the list of the strongest players for each position for the Nationals and recommended batting orders.
Table of Contents
*The strongest ranking in this article consists of players other than HOF cards. If you obtain an HOF card, consider replacing the player in the corresponding position.
Strongest Player Quick View
Pitchers
| SP | RP | CP |
  M. Scherzer ’15 |  T. Clippard ’11 |  J. Reardon ’82 |
Scherzer, with top-class breaking ball/control, reigns as the ace. Clippard, who excels at breaking balls, and Reardon, with high velocity, will defend the latter half of the game.
Fielders
| C | 1B | 2B |
 G. Carter ’82 |  N. Johnson ’06 |  A. Rendon ’14 |
| 3B | SS | LF |
 T. Wallach ’87 |  T. Turner ’18 |  T. Raines ’87 |
| CF | RF | DH |
 B. Harper ’15 |  V. Guerrero ’02 | ‐ |
Guerrero, Harper, and Rendon boast high batting performance, so let's organize them as the core lineup. Since there are multiple players with relatively many hot zones, it's also a strength that batting operation is easy.
Recommended Power Hitters
| Player | Power | H Zone | Launch Angle |
| V. Guerrero ’02 | 74 | 7 | 14° |
| B. Harper ’15 | 78 | 6 | 14° |
 A. Rendon ’19 | 73 | 8 | 19° |
The Nationals have many power hitters like Guerrero and Harper. Not only should they be part of the core lineup, but they can be especially active in Ranking Slugger and RBI Battle.
Pitchers Ranking
| SP | RP | CP |
*Due to player duplication, players with the same name as those in other positions may be selected.
Starting Pitcher (SP)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
 M. Scherzer ’15 | - Stats other than VEL exceed 70 - Control is very high at 84 - All 5 pitch types - 3 pitch types are rank B or higher |
 S. Strasburg ’14 | - Control, stamina, and fielding exceed 70 - All 5 pitch types - 3 pitch types are rank B or higher |
 P. Corbin ’19 | - Breaking ball, stamina, and fielding exceed 70 - VEL is somewhat low at 58 - All 5 pitch types - 2 pitch types are rank B or higher |
 J. Patterson ’05 | - Stamina and fielding exceed 70 - All 3 pitch types - All pitch types are rank B or higher |
 M. Gore | - High VEL - All 5 pitch types - All pitch types are rank C or lower |
 B. Smith ’85 | - Relatively high stuff/stamina - All 5 pitch types - Has A-rank CH |
Relief Pitcher (RP)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
 T. Clippard ’11 | - High breaking ball/stuff - All 4 pitch types - 3 pitch types are rank B |
 D. Lowe | - High stuff - All 5 pitch types - 3 pitch types are rank B |
 H. Harvey ’23 | - VEL is high at 78 - All 4 pitch types - All pitch types are rank B or higher |
 M. Batista ’98 | - High VEL - All 5 pitch types - 4 pitch types are rank B or higher |
 K. Finnegan ’22 | - High VEL - All 3 pitch types - 1 pitch type is rank B |
 S. Kelley ’16 | - Relatively high breaking ball/control - All 3 pitch types - 2 pitch types are rank B |
Closing Pitcher (CP)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
 J. Reardon ’82 | - Relatively high stuff/fielding - All 3 pitch types - All 3 pitch types are rank B or higher |
 T. Burke ’87 | - High stuff - All 3 pitch types - Has A-rank SNK |
Fielders Ranking
| C | 1B | 2B |
| 3B | SS | LF |
| CF | RF | - |
*Due to player duplication, players with the same name as those in other positions may be selected.
Catcher (C)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
 G. Carter ’82 | - High hitting ability - 7 hot zones - Average launch angle is 4° |
 B. Schneider ’04 | - Fielding is high at 80 - 6 hot zones - Average launch angle is low at 8° |
First Baseman (1B)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
 N. Johnson ’06 | - 9 hot zones - Overall high stats - Average launch angle is 12° |
 A. Oliver ’82 | - Very high contact/eye - 9 hot zones - Average launch angle is 11° |
 A. Dunn ’09 | - High power - 5 hot zones - Average launch angle is 16° |
Second Baseman (2B)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
 A. Rendon ’14 | - Overall high stats - 3 hot zones - Average launch angle is 16° - Same name as 3B player |
 T. Turner ’16 | - Contact and speed exceed 70 - Patience is low at 52 - 6 hot zones - Average launch angle is 11° - Same name as SS player |
 R. Belliard ’07 | - 9 hot zones - Contact and eye exceed 70 - Patience is low at 53 - Average launch angle is 14° |
Third Baseman (3B)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
 A. Rendon ’19 | - Very high batting ability - Fielding is also high at 77 - 8 hot zones - Average launch angle is high at 19° - Same name as 2B player |
 T. Wallach ’87 | - High contact/fielding - 7 hot zones - Average launch angle is 16° |
Shortstop (SS)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
 T. Turner | - Very high speed and fielding - 9 hot zones - Average launch angle is 11° |
 T. Turner ’18 | - Speed and fielding exceed 80 - 6 hot zones - Average launch angle is somewhat low at 9° |
 O. Cabrera ’03 | - High batting ability - Speed and fielding exceed 70 - Patience is somewhat low at 55 - 8 hot zones - Average launch angle is high at 17° - Same name as 2B player |
Left Fielder (LF)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
| T. Raines ’87 | - Very high contact/eye - 8 hot zones - Average launch angle is 11° |
 J. Soto ’19 | - Stats other than eye exceed 70 - 8 hot zones - Average launch angle is 12° - Same name as RF player |
 N. Morgan ’09 | - Power and patience are below 60 - Other stats exceed 70 - 8 hot zones - Average launch angle is very low at 2° - Same name as CF player |
Center Fielder (CF)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
 B. Harper ’15 | - Very high batting ability - Fielding is also high at 77 - 6 hot zones - Average launch angle is 14° - Same name as LF, RF player |
 A. Dawson ’83 | - Very high speed/fielding - 7 hot zones - Average launch angle is 14° |
 L. Thomas ’23 | - Speed and fielding exceed 70 - 7 hot zones - Average launch angle is 10° |
Right Fielder (RF)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
 V. Guerrero ’02 | - Top-class batting ability - Fielding is also high at 75 - 7 hot zones - Average launch angle is 14° |
| B. Harper ’15 | - Very high batting ability - Fielding is also high at 77 - 6 hot zones - Average launch angle is 14° - Same name as LF, CF player |
 J. Soto ’21 | - Patience is very high at 85 - Contact, eye, and fielding exceed 70 - 8 hot zones - Average launch angle is low at 5° - Same name as LF player |
Positions to Strengthen via FA Contracts
Reinforcing Second Basemen/Relief Pitchers is Recommended
The Cardinals' fielders have relatively deep player pools and can compete sufficiently without reinforcements. For the pitching staff, add high-performance players from other teams as relievers or closers to increase defensive options.
Recommended Players for FA Trade
Relief Pitcher (RP)
| Player | Team/Features |
|---|---|
 J. Hader ’18 | - Breaking ball is top-class at 82 - All 4 pitch types - 2 pitch types are rank B or higher |
 J. Duran ’22 | - VEL is top-class at 88 - All 4 pitch types - 3 pitch types are rank B |
 R. Suarez ’21 | - Stuff is high at 73 - All 4 pitch types - All pitch types are rank B or higher |
Closing Pitcher (CP)
| Player | Team/Features |
|---|---|
 R. Gossage ’77 | - Very high pitching ability - All 3 pitch types - All pitch types are rank B or higher |
 C. Kimbrel ’17 | - Very high VEL/breaking ball - All 3 pitch types - 2 pitch types are rank B or higher |
 J. Hader ’19 | - Breaking ball is top-class at 80 - All 4 pitch types - 2 pitch types are rank B or higher |
Nationals' Characteristics
Nationals' Fielders Have High Fielding
Many of the Nationals' fielders have very high fielding. High-rarity players often have fielding stats exceeding 80. A characteristic is that having many players with high fielding makes it difficult for opponents to score. By improving batting performance through training and special training, it is possible to create a well-balanced team in both offense and defense.
It is Recommended to Strengthen Pitchers' Abilities Other Than Fielding
Since many of the Nationals' fielders have very high fielding, it is recommended to prioritize strengthening pitchers' breaking balls, stuff, VEL, etc.
It is Recommended to Have One CP in the Lineup
Many of the Nationals' closers share names with relief pitchers. Since two or more players with the same name cannot be in the lineup simultaneously, it is recommended to have one CP in the lineup.
Nationals Recommended Batting Order and Skills
| Order | Player | Recommended Skills |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | T. Turner ’18 | - Leadoff - Table Setter One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| 2 | O. Cabrera ’03 | - Leadoff - Batting Machine One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| 3 | A. Rendon ’19 | - Cleanup Trio - Heart of the Order - Clutch Hitter |
| 4 | V. Guerrero ’02 | - Cleanup Trio - Heart of the Order - Lineup Maintenance |
| 5 | B. Harper ’15 | - Cleanup Trio - Heart of the Order - Clutch Hitter |
| 6 | J. Soto ’19 | - Bottom of the Order - Batting Machine One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| 7 |  T. Wallach ’87 | - Bottom of the Order - Batting Machine One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| 8 |  G. Carter ’82 | - Bottom of the Order - Batting Machine One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| 9 | B. Schneider ’04 | - Bottom of the Order - Batting Machine One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| Order | Player | Recommended Skills |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  T. Turner ’18 | - Leadoff - Table Setter One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| 2 |  C.J. Abrams ’24 | - Leadoff - Batting Machine One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| 3 |  A. Rendon ’19 | - Cleanup Trio - Heart of the Order - Clutch Hitter |
| 4 |  V. Guerrero ’02 | - Cleanup Trio - Heart of the Order - Lineup Maintenance |
| 5 |  N. Johnson ’06 | - Cleanup Trio - Heart of the Order - Clutch Hitter |
| 6 |  B. Schneider ’04 | - Bottom of the Order - Batting Machine One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| 7 |  L. Thomas ’23 | - Bottom of the Order - Batting Machine One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| 8 |  V. Robles ’24 | - Bottom of the Order - Batting Machine One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| 9 |  S. Garrett ’24 | - Bottom of the Order - Batting Machine One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
Selection Criteria
Prioritizing Players with High Rarity
The rarity of a player affects their initial stats and the increase in stats when trained. Therefore, the rankings above prioritize players with high rarity.
Players with High Stats Also Have High Lineup Priority
Depending on the player, some players may have low stats even if their rarity is high. In particular, Impact players may have low initial stats, so replacing them with players with high stats or deck scores may increase the team's OVR.
Deck Score is Considered for LIVE/Season Players
The LIVE/Season players selected in the rankings above take deck score into consideration. Deck score is an important content for increasing the overall stats of the team. Therefore, it is acceptable to include players with high deck scores in the lineup even if their stats are slightly lower.
