Warming Bernabel didn’t arrive in Washington with much fanfare, but he’s got the kind of profile that could quietly turn into something more. The Nationals signed the 23-year-old corner infielder to a minor league deal with a spring training invite, giving him a legitimate shot to compete for a roster spot on a team that still has question marks at both first and third base.
Bernabel, originally signed by the Rockies as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic, has spent his entire pro career with Colorado until this offseason. His 2025 campaign with Triple-A Albuquerque turned some heads - he hit .301 with an .806 OPS in 75 games, showing off a contact-heavy approach that’s becoming increasingly rare in today’s game.
But what really stands out about Bernabel isn’t just the stat line. It’s the path he’s taken to get here.
This is a player who’s battled through more than just the typical bumps and bruises of minor league life. He’s dealt with recurring back issues, and even more incredibly, he recovered from gunshot wounds after being caught in the crossfire of a robbery attempt back home in the Dominican Republic. That kind of resilience says something about his makeup - and it’s part of what helped him earn a call-up to the majors in late July.
When he got his shot, Bernabel didn’t waste time making noise. His first week in the big leagues was nothing short of electric.
He went 14-for-28 with three home runs and seven extra-base hits, earning National League Player of the Week honors. According to OptaSTATS, he became just the second player since 1900 to record at least 14 hits and eight extra-base hits in his first seven MLB games - joining Mitchell Page (1977) in that exclusive club.
But like many young hitters, the league adjusted. After that scorching start, Bernabel cooled off significantly.
He hit just .189 the rest of the way and missed time due to a concussion. He finished the season with a .252 average, four homers, and a .698 OPS over 40 games.
His advanced metrics didn’t offer much optimism, and the Rockies ultimately decided to move on, outrighting him after the season. Bernabel elected free agency and now finds himself in Nationals camp, looking for a second chance.
And there’s a lot about this fit that makes sense.
The Nationals are still figuring out their corner infield picture. Nathaniel Lowe was let go in August, and Josh Bell departed in free agency.
Andrés Chaparro and Luis García Jr. are in the mix at first base, but neither is a sure thing. At third, Brady House is still developing and hasn’t quite taken the leap with the bat.
That leaves both corners up for grabs heading into spring training - and that’s where Bernabel comes in.
What he brings to the table is a bat-to-ball skill set that could help balance a lineup that’s still in flux. His strikeout rate hovers around 13%, which is elite in this era of swing-and-miss.
He’s shown he can hit a variety of pitching, especially at the Triple-A level. But there are still holes in his offensive game.
He tends to chase pitches off the plate and doesn’t walk much, which limits his on-base ability. And while he makes consistent contact, the power hasn’t fully developed - his only double-digit home run season came back in 2022, when he hit 14.
Still, he’s young, and there’s upside to work with. The Nationals’ hitting staff, which leans heavily on analytics and swing decisions, will likely focus on tightening up his plate discipline and helping him tap into more power.
The big questions heading into spring: Can Bernabel continue to make contact without expanding the zone? Can he add just enough patience to boost his OBP?
And can he drive the ball with enough authority to stick at a power position?
If he answers even a couple of those questions in the affirmative, he’s got a real shot to make the Opening Day roster.
The most likely role? A bench bat who can cover both first and third, providing right-handed depth in a lineup that could use it.
The Nationals don’t have much certainty at either corner spot, and Bernabel gives them a low-cost, high-upside option who’s still controllable for years to come. If he hits, there’s a path to more consistent playing time - especially at first base, where the depth chart is wide open.
If he doesn’t break camp with the big club, he’ll likely start the year at Triple-A Rochester, waiting for an opportunity. He still has minor league options, which gives the Nationals some roster flexibility. And if things click, he could become a valuable piece moving forward.
The roster math is on his side. Washington hasn’t brought in a proven first baseman this offseason, and unless that changes soon, Bernabel will head to West Palm Beach with a real shot to earn his way onto the team. It’ll come down to how he looks in camp - especially whether his contact skills hold up and if he shows signs of improved plate discipline.
He’s not a lock, but he’s got a chance - and that’s all a player like Bernabel needs. At just 23 years old, with Triple-A success and a record-setting big league debut already under his belt, he’s the kind of player who could surprise.
The Nationals are in a place where they can afford to take a few swings on upside. This one might just connect.