Washington Nationals Execs Discuss Player Development Ahead of Spring Training

Nationals GM Paul Toboni and Assistant GM Blake Butera met with media to preview the upcoming season.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Ahead of the start of spring training, the Washington Nationals held a virtual press conference with team executives Paul Toboni and Blake Butera. During the session, the two discussed the team's focus on player development, including plans to challenge players on areas like chase rate, and highlighted young outfielder Robert Hassell III as a potential breakout candidate after he put on 25 pounds of muscle this offseason.

Why it matters

The Nationals are looking to rebound after a disappointing 2025 season, and their focus on player development and identifying young talent like Hassell could be key to their turnaround efforts. Toboni and Butera's comments provide insight into the team's strategic approach heading into the new season.

The details

Toboni and Butera met with media to preview the Nationals' plans for the upcoming spring training and 2026 season. The executives discussed the team's emphasis on player development, with Toboni noting they will challenge players on specific areas of weakness, using chase rate as an example. Butera highlighted outfielder Robert Hassell III as a potential breakout player, saying the 22-year-old put on 25 pounds of muscle this offseason and could surprise people. The Nationals are looking to bounce back after a 65-97 season in 2025.

  • The press conference took place on February 10, 2026, two days before pitchers and catchers were set to report to spring training.

The players

Paul Toboni

The general manager of the Washington Nationals.

Blake Butera

The assistant general manager of the Washington Nationals.

Robert Hassell III

A 22-year-old outfielder in the Nationals' farm system who put on 25 pounds of muscle this offseason.

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What they’re saying

“Sometimes people forget about Robert Hassell. He was motivated to get bigger and stronger this offseason, and I was impressed with how hard he worked.”

— Blake Butera, Assistant General Manager, Washington Nationals (Yahoo Sports)

What’s next

The Nationals will continue their preparations for the 2026 season as pitchers and catchers report to spring training on February 12th.

The takeaway

The Nationals' focus on player development and identifying young talent like Robert Hassell III could be key to their efforts to rebound from a disappointing 2025 season. Toboni and Butera's comments provide insight into the team's strategic approach heading into the new year.