Abimelec Ortiz sits against righty for Nationals

Morales delivered a two-run double in the third inning that increased the Nationals’ early lead to 7-0. The 24-year-old is off to a terrific start to his MLB career, slashing .294/.294/.588 with two homers, six RBI and a stolen base in his first 34 plate appearances.

Morales got the start at first base on Sunday, batting fifth. He put the Nationals on the board for their first run with a base hit in the sixth inning and scored on a groundout. He then led off the eighth with a single and scored again on a triple. The 24-year-old slugger has performed well in his limited playing time, hitting .296/.296/.593 with a pair of homers.

Ortiz doubled in the first inning and scored the team’s first run on a hit by CJ Abrams. He then drove in two runs on a base hit in the second. Ortiz was intentionally walked in the fourth before he was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the seventh. The 24-year-old first baseman is hitting .218/.259/.400 with five homers, 16 runs scored, and 13 RBI across 116 plate appearances.

Making his first start in the last four games, Morales got the scoring started for the Nationals, taking Casey Mize deep for a solo homer in the second inning. It was the second home run in his first four career games after hitting 25 in Triple-A this season. He’s currently splitting first base and designated hitter duties in a short-side platoon, but offers excellent power upside if he’s given the chance to be an everyday regular.

Morales’ home run was the first of his career. He hit a solo shot off AJ Smith-Shawver in the third inning. Morales had 25 home runs at Triple-A prior to his call-up. If his bat stays hot, he could be an intriguing source of power down the stretch.

Morales is at DH and hitting fifth against the Braves in his major-league debut on Tuesday night. He needed to be added to Washington’s 40-man roster to protect him from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft, so it makes sense the club will give him a look at the highest level to close out the year. The power-hitting 24-year-old launched 25 homers in 455 plate appearances at the Triple-A level this season. He doesn’t strike out a ton and could be a fantasy-relevant option at some point in the future if he manages to secure an everyday role with the Nationals. He’s a name to know for the future, but probably isn’t going to play enough to matter down the home stretch.

With rosters expanding, Morales is being called up to give the team another option at third base, first base, and designated hitter. The 24-year-old former 40th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft is hitting .286 with 25 HR and 76 RBI at Triple-A Rochester. If not for a mysterious injury that put him on the MiLB injured list in July, Morales could have been up earlier this season. If he gets regular playing time, he has enough power to be fantasy relevant.

Terribly unfortunate to miss a start against RHP Gabriel Hughes, who is 0-5 with a 6.54 ERA. Andrés Chaparro will draw the assignment instead. It’s the first day off for Ortiz in the last six.

Morales returned from injury earlier this month and continues to hit. The 24-year-old is slashing .291/.370/.530 in 98 games at Triple-A with 24 home runs, 74 RBI, and five steals. Considering the Nationals are giving regular at-bats to Jose Tena and Jorbit Vivas, it might make sense for them to see what Morales can do as a 3B/DH option the rest of the way.

Ortiz poked an opposite-field solo blast off Christian Scott to account for the Nationals’ only extra-base hit on the afternoon. The lefty-hitting first baseman came over from the Rangers in last winter’s MacKenzie Gore trade, and he’s essentially filled Luis García Jr.'s role since the trade deadline. Ortiz has started at first and hit second in every game against a right-hander since being called up. He has impressive batted-ball metrics through 14 games with Washington, and the only blemish in his profile is a poor walk rate. That doesn’t align with what he showed in the minors. There could be further upside if his patience improves and the remaining Statcast metrics hold.