Nats hoping 'YoYo' can work into 3B picture in '27

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Yohandy Morales turned heads as a third baseman in college to become the 40th overall pick in the 2023 Draft. He played both corner-infield positions in the Minor Leagues, and he debuted in September as a combination first baseman/designated hitter.

That month was enough time for the Nationals to envision how they can maximize Morales’ offensive potential to help the team: get him more reps back at the hot corner.

“There's a lot of people that are playing first base right now,” manager Blake Butera said at the end of the season. “I think if he can move over to third base and play a pretty good third base, it allows him to get in the lineup a little bit more.”

After trading starting first baseman Luis García Jr. to the Yankees, the Nationals platooned the position between Andrés Chaparro and Abimelec Ortiz in August. Morales entered the mix when he debuted on Sept. 1. He played 13 games at first base and two as the DH.

“We like his bat, of course, and I think he swung the bat really well since he's been up here,” Butera said. “But we haven't had opportunities to give him as much playing time as maybe he deserves because there’s three guys over there at first base.”

Morales, who turned 25 on Oct. 9, slashed .255/.255/.596 in 47 plate appearances. He tallied four doubles, four homers and 10 RBIs. In his debut against the Braves, his first career hit was a home run.

“To say that that's what we expected him to do, I think, would be a lie,” Butera said. “Obviously, we had high hopes for him and heard really good things about him. But what he's doing right now is pretty incredible. And to do it to right-center, right field, opposite field against some good velocity as well -- which people said that he struggled with -- has just been a testament to the type of player and type of hitter he is and the work he continues to put in.”

Morales plans to train again this winter at the University of Miami, where he played three seasons at third base. There, he became MLB Pipeline’s No. 20 overall Draft prospect and a First-Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference player.

“I was actually drafted as a third baseman,” Morales said. “I've only played a year or two at first base, so I feel confident and comfortable at third base. … No matter where they put me, I'll try to do my best.”

From 2023-26, Morales logged 1,502 1/3 innings at first and 1,091 innings at third in the Nationals’ Minor League system. In the final two months of the season, the Nationals backed up starting third baseman Brady House with Jorbit Vivas and Chaparro.

“It’s obviously good being able to play multiple positions so you have a spot to play in and help the team out,” Morales said. “So it feels good that they want to open up some spots.”

Morales exceeded the Nationals’ expectations in September. They look forward to what he can do for a full season.

“That's why we told him, ‘You're too young to be a first baseman only,’” Butera recalled. “‘So part of that is working on your body this offseason, making sure there's more explosiveness, making sure your side-to-side movements are better.'

“That way, there's more to YoYo than just first base with DH.”