Best Washington Nationals Players of All Time

First appearing in World Series odds as the Montreal Expos, the Washington Nationals moved to the capital in 2005. There are Hall of Famers and generational greats to choose from when selecting the best Washington Nationals players of all time.

Comparing players from different eras can be challenging. Luckily, adjusted statistics make it easier to compare players from the 1970s to stars of the 21st century.

Here are my five greatest Nationals ever. 

Best Washington Nationals Players of All Time

1. Gary Carter

Of course, Gary Carter didn’t play for the current incarnation of the team, but he’s still the franchise leader in bWAR. Carter spent 12 years with the Montreal Expos, including a return in 1992, and collected seven All-Star selections along the way.

One of the best-hitting catchers of all time, with six seasons boasting a 116 OPS+ or better, Carter was also an excellent defender, as is reflected by his three consecutive Gold Gloves in the 1980s. 

2. Max Scherzer

During his time in Washington, Max Scherzer was a perennial Cy Young contender, winning the award in consecutive seasons. He has comfortably the best ERA+ in Expos/Nationals history.

Mad Max is unquestionably the best pitcher to wear a Nationals uniform. His competitiveness and durability were a foundational piece of the contending teams in the 2010s, which was capped off with the World Series win in 2019. Scherzer has the highest bWAR of any player since the team swapped Montreal for Washington. 

3. Tim Raines

Only Carter can better Tim Raines’ bWAR for the Expos/Nationals. Raines was an All-Star in seven straight seasons from 1981 to 1987 and received MVP votes in seven of his 13 years with the Expos. 

Congrats to former Expos OF Tim Raines and former #Nats C Ivan Rodriguez on their election to the @baseballhall! pic.twitter.com/ud4DC4ogNA

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) January 18, 2017

His 635 stolen bases are miles ahead of any other player in franchise history. Ryan Zimmerman and Tim Wallach are the only players with more hits, and he’s second to Vladimir Guerrero in adjusted batting runs. 

4. Steve Rogers

Steve Rogers pitched over 2,830 innings for the Expos. No one else in franchise history is over 1,609. That durability and the sheer number of pitches thrown slots Rogers in as the second pitcher in these rankings.

A five-time All-Star and winner of the ERA title in 1982, Rogers was perhaps underrated due to the Expos being uncompetitive during his best years. He did, however, record three top-five Cy Young finishes. 

5. Bryce Harper

If Bryce Harper had stayed with the Nationals rather than signing with the Phillies as a free agent, he would be gunning for numerous franchise records. Despite playing just seven years in the capital, Harper has the sixth-most homers, and fourth-best win probability added.

From Rookie of the Year to MVP three years later, Harper elevated the Nationals from rebuilders to a National League powerhouse. Only three players have posted a better OPS+ in franchise history.