CHICAGO -- One way to get acclimated to a new team is to set a franchise record in the first series of the season.
After years of grinding to establish himself on a Major League roster, that’s how outfielder Joey Wiemer has begun his tenure with the Nationals.
“It means a lot,” Wiemer said. “I’ve put in a lot of work. It’s been a winding road, so head down and keep going.”
Wiemer became the first player in Nationals/Expos history to reach base in each of his first eight plate appearances with the team, per Elias Sports Bureau. That stretch also ties Wiemer with Jeremy Hazelbaker (D-backs) and Steve Henderson (Mariners) for the most consecutive plate appearances reaching base to begin a tenure with an MLB club since at least 1961.
Wiemer homered, tripled, singled and drew a walk in the Nationals’ 6-3 win over the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Sunday. On Opening Day, he went 3-for-3 with a home run. (He was not in the lineup on Saturday.) Wiemer sparked the Nationals to their first season-opening series win since 2018 in Cincinnati.
“I can’t put it into words, I’m just fired up for Joey,” said manager Blake Butera. “He’s ready anytime his name gets called.”
Wiemer passed the previous franchise record of first four plate appearances, previously accomplished by Ildemaro Vargas (Aug. 3, 2022), Larry Walker (Aug. 16, 1989) and Tom Foley (July 13 - July 24, 1986). Juan Soto holds the overall franchise record of reaching base safely in 12 consecutive games, which he did in 2021.
“I think he’s done a little bit of everything so far,” said Butera. “When they’ve thrown pitches in the zone, he’s hammered them -- home runs, triples, whatever it might be. When they’re out of the zone, he’s laying off of them and he’s walking. He’s just getting on base every time.”
This consistency is something Wiemer has been working toward since he was selected by the Brewers in the fourth round of the 2020 Draft. But after making his big league debut for Milwaukee in 2023, he's since played for both the Reds (‘24) and the Marlins (‘25).
“He’s kind of been toggling around back and forth with some teams,” said Butera. “The way he comes to play every day, teammates love him, he wants to win, he’s a gamer. I’m just happy for him to have some success early on.”
Last year, Wiemer was designated for assignment three times. He batted .203 in 82 Triple-A games between Kansas City and Miami affiliates last season, while hitting .236 in 27 big league games with the Marlins. The Nationals claimed Wiemer, 27, off waivers from the Giants on Jan. 5.
“I spent some time staring at the sky in Omaha,” said Wiemer. “So it means a lot.”
Wiemer set the tone back on Opening Day when he became the first Nationals player to hit a home run in his first plate appearance as a member of the team since Adam Lind (April 3, 2017), per Elias Sports Bureau. He joined Daniel Murphy (2016) as the second Nats player to reach base four times on Opening Day, and he also was the first Nats player since Ian Desmond (2012) to have three hits on Opening Day.
“I’m not trying to do too much,” Wiemer said. “Just sticking with what’s working and keep swinging.”
With his performance on Sunday, he became the first Nationals player since James Wood (Sept. 28, 2024) to record a triple and home run in the same game.
By hitting home runs in back-to-back games, he became the first Nats player to do so at Wrigley Field since Joey Meneses (three games, Aug. 8-10, 2022). Wiemer went yard in consecutive contests once earlier in his career -- June 16-17, 2023, as a member of the Brewers.
“He’s the MVP,” said Keibert Ruiz. “He’s doing amazing.”