The three Washington Nationals relievers who have locked down a spot in the 2027 bullpen
Orlando Ribalta, Will Dion and Brad Lord are the three relievers who should feel the most comfortable entering 2027
The Washington Nationals bullpen has had an inconsistent history, having blown away 35 saves and sporting a 5.02 ERA, which ranks third worst in baseball. However, three relievers have stepped up and are expected to be part of the 2027 bullpen. These pitchers include Orlando Ribalta, Brad Lord, and Will Dion.
Orlando Ribalta is the only true late inning arm in the group. Despite not being an elite high leverage pitcher, Ribalta has shown he can handle tough situations. His fastball averages near 97 MPH, and he has two effective secondary pitches. He has a 3.77 ERA on the season, but it has improved as he has responded well to tougher games.
Lord and Dion have established themselves as effective multi-inning relievers, offering solid stuff and deception. Lord has a 3.58 ERA across 73 innings, using his fastball to abuse hitters and his secondary pitches to get strikeouts. Dion, with a 3.38 ERA in 37.1 innings, has a heater that carries 20 inches of velocity, resulting in a high whiff rate.
Overall, the Nationals' relievers have proven themselves reliable and capable of contributing to a strong bullpen in the coming season.
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