Off-season homework assignments - part 1

As a high school student, I receive homework when my teachers think a concept has not reached its full potential. I am giving the Washington Nationals pitchers homework for the 2024-2025 offseason, starting with the pitching staff. Pitching can be the heart of a team and can lead the team to success.  

Mitchell Parker 

Parker struggled with his fielding ability all season. Pitchers are fielders too and they need to practice with the infield to help themselves. Easy plays right to the mound have not gone well while Parker is pitching. 

DJ Herz 

Rookie DJ Herz had a good start to his career in 2024. After coming up in early June, Herz’ K rate is in the 81st percentile. On the other hand, Herz’ walk rate is in the 29th percentile. Controlling his pitches would help his overall efficiency. 

Mackenzie Gore 

Gore had an overall good season. His K rate being in the 65th percentile and his walk rate in the 35th percentile are acceptable, but what he really needs to work on is staying consistent. His ERA in day games for 2024 is 3.03, while his ERA from night games is 4.65. Inconsistency can hurt a team, especially one that does not give high run support. 

Jake Irvin 

Jake Irvin had a solid second season with the Nationals. An area of improvement for Irvin is controlling the strike zone. Getting ahead in the count is important, and that is something that Irvin needs to fix for 2025. Jake Irvin throws strikes about 55% of the time. Although it is higher than the MLB average, it is still not great.  

Kyle Finnegan 

Finnegan is one of our best relievers, holding a top five spot in games saved throughout the majors. When pitching, Finnegan does have a tendency of not focusing on the pitch clock, raising the count one ball higher. Finnegan has been called for a violation every 104 pitches, which is more than half of MLB’s pitching staffs.  

Derek Law 

Derek Law had a solid 2024 season. Law’s struggle is with inherited runners. I am aware that Law did not get the runner(s) on base, but he needs to be focused when he comes in. In 2024, Law allowed 18 out of 27 inherited runners to score, an increase from his 2023 season, when he allowed only 2 out of 26 inherited runners to score. 

Throughout the 2024 season, our pitching has had its moments, but they have seen some struggles. In the end, our bullpen has pitched a solid season, hopefully to improve for 2025.