The Washington Nationals haven’t exactly made headlines this offseason with splashy free agent signings, but that doesn’t mean they’ve been sitting still. Far from it.
The front office has been quietly busy, reshaping the roster in ways that may not grab national attention now, but could pay off in the long run. And while expectations for the 2026 season remain modest, what’s becoming clear is that the organization is leaning hard into its commitment to player development.
Let’s be real: this probably won’t be the year the Nationals turn the corner in the standings. But that doesn’t mean it’s a wasted season. In fact, this could be a foundational year-one where the team continues to stockpile young talent, take calculated chances on under-the-radar arms, and build a bullpen that might surprise a few people by midseason.
One of the latest moves in that mold came when the Nationals flipped recently claimed reliever George Soriano to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for right-hander Andre Granillo. Soriano had only just arrived from the Marlins and looked like a possible bullpen piece for Washington, but the front office clearly saw something in Granillo that made this swap worth making.
So, what are the Nats getting in Granillo?
He’s a 25-year-old righty who debuted last season with St. Louis after being selected in the 14th round of the 2021 draft.
In 14 major league appearances, Granillo posted a 4.71 ERA over 21 innings, with a 1.381 WHIP and an 18-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Not eye-popping numbers, but he also notched a save and showed flashes of potential that suggest there’s more to unlock.
Granillo’s minor league track record offers a bit more intrigue. He’s racked up 31 saves across his time in the minors, with a career-high 14 coming in 2023. That kind of experience in high-leverage situations could put him in the mix for late-inning work in Washington-especially if the Nationals don’t add a more established closer before Opening Day.
Dig a little deeper into his pitch mix, and there’s reason to believe he could carve out a role. According to Statcast, Granillo leans heavily on his slider-throwing it over 65% of the time-while mixing in a fastball, sinker, and changeup.
That kind of reliance on one pitch isn’t uncommon among modern relievers, and when a slider is working, it can be a real weapon. If the Nationals’ coaching staff can help him refine the rest of his arsenal and improve his command, there’s a chance he becomes more than just another bullpen arm.
Moves like this won’t generate buzz on talk radio or light up social media, but they’re the kind of transactions that can quietly shape a bullpen over time. Granillo might not be a household name now, but if he settles in and finds his groove, this could be one of those trades we look back on in August and say, “That’s where it started.”
The Nationals’ bullpen picture is still coming into focus, and there’s certainly room for someone like Granillo to make a name for himself. Whether he emerges as a late-inning option or simply adds depth to a developing relief corps, this is the kind of low-risk, potentially high-reward move that fits exactly where Washington is right now: building patiently, betting on upside, and staying focused on the long game.