Nasim Nunez has gotten a real chance to show he can be an everyday player for the Washington Nationals this season. The problem is that the offense has not come close to matching the opportunity.
Nunez has posted a.534 OPS and a 52 wRC+ while playing over 450 plate appearances, numbers that point to a player who has struggled to provide league-average production at the plate. The gap is especially hard to ignore because the Nationals moved CJ Abrams off shortstop this season to give Nunez looks there, a clear sign that the team wanted to find out whether his defense and baserunning could be enough to support a larger role.
Why the numbers matter
The broader profile is easy to understand. Nunez still brings elite baserunning and strong defense, and those traits can absolutely help a contender in specific spots. But an everyday shortstop has to offer more than that, and the offense has been too light for too long.
His.211/.289/.245 line reflects the bigger issue. He is not just dealing with a cold stretch; he has been in the first percentile in one key measure of offensive performance and has produced a.116 mark in another, which is not the kind of foundation a team wants to build around at a premium position. Even his recent stretch has underscored the concern. Over the last 15 games, Nunez hit.095 with a.235 OPS.
That is why entering 2027 with Nunez as the Opening Day starter would be difficult to justify. The Nationals have already given him everyday chances, and the current regime appears more willing than the previous one to buy into his skill set. But if the bat does not improve significantly, the better fit may be a narrower role where his speed and defense can still help without asking him to carry a lineup spot.
What comes next for Washington
There is still a path for Nunez to be useful. A defensive replacement and pinch runner can matter over the course of a season, especially for a team that values versatility and athleticism. But usefulness and everyday starter status are not the same thing.
The Nationals have already shown they are willing to adjust their alignment to get a look at him, and that makes the evaluation more straightforward. If the bat stays where it has been, the answer at shortstop for 2027 should come from somewhere else. The team may still keep Nunez in the picture, just not in the role that asks him to start every day.
