The three players with the most to prove in September for the Washington Nationals

As the National's season nears its end, three players find themselves with a significant amount on the line: Dylan Crews, Harry Ford, and Abimelec Ortiz. These three athletes must perform exceptionally well in September to secure their positions on the team for the upcoming 2027 season. Crews, the most high-profile of the three, must prove his worth with a strong finish after a mixed career track record.

His stellar walk-off in August, while impressive, was quickly followed by a slump that has left him with a .216 average and a .643 OPS for the season. Ford, a promising catcher, has also struggled to live up to expectations. After being traded to the Nationals, Ford showed flashes of potential but has yet to establish himself as the team's starting catcher.

His OPS is currently .697, a far cry from the power and consistency expected from a top-tier catcher. Abimelec Ortiz, a powerful first baseman, entered the big leagues with great promise but has recently struggled to maintain his early-season success. His chase rate is alarmingly high at 37.4%, and his swing rate has increased significantly.

Both Ford and Ortiz must demonstrate the ability to make necessary adjustments if they wish to maintain their spots on the team. Both young talents have the potential to become key contributors to the Nationals' lineup, but their futures hang in the balance as they strive to prove themselves in the final month of the season.