It is no secret that the Washington Nationals pitching staff was really bad in 2025. They posted a 5.35 team ERA, which is the highest in Nationals history. However, heading into the season, the starting
rotation was seen as a strength. That was due in part to Mitchell Parker.
Parker had a strong rookie season in 2024. He rose from obscurity to grab a hold of a rotation spot where he performed quite well. Parker posted a 4.29 ERA and 3.85 FIP in 151 innings in 2024. He had some pretty memorable starts, especially his great MLB debut against the Dodgers. Going into his age 25 season, there was reason for optimism for Parker.
After winning a spot in the rotation, Parker had a great chance to cement himself as a future fixture in the rotation. Things actually started so well for him. Through his first five starts, Parker looked like the Nationals ace. After an 8 inning masterclass against the O’s on April 22nd, Parker had a 1.39 ERA. Everyone knew he was not going to sustain that level of performance, but nobody could imagine what was coming next.
In his next 25 starts of the season, Parker gave up at least 4 earned runs 14 times. Everything just totally fell apart for the 25 year old southpaw. He finished the season with a 5.68 ERA and lost his rotation spot. Parker was just way too hittable and his mediocre stuff was just not fooling anybody.
Even in 2024, Parker’s stuff did not jump off the page. He had solid results, but his pitch mix was nothing special. That is why I wanted DJ Herz in the rotation over him, but unfortunately, Herz blew out his elbow in Spring Training.
Parker’s fastball is probably his best pitch, but even that is average. His heater is a deceptive pitch due to his high arm slot and good extension. It has plenty of carry at the top of the zone. However, it only averages 93 MPH and does not get a ton of whiffs. None of his secondary pitches are anything to write home about either.
That middling arsenal led to him being hit hard. The average exit velocity against Parker was 92.3 MPH, which is insanely high. For context, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has an average exit velocity of 92 MPH and he is known as one of the harder hitters in the league. Guys are just hitting rockets off of Parker, which is not what you want to see.
Mitchell Parker and Jake Irvin became the symbols of the Nationals awful pitching staff in 2025. It seemed like every time those two took the mound, the team had no chance of victory unless they had a crazy offensive outburst. Those guys were the two worst qualified starters in the league in 2025.
It got so bad for Parker that he was taken out of the rotation in favor of soft tossing Andrew Alvarez. Parker was in a multi-inning relief role at the end of the season, where his performance actually improved. Maybe that long man role could be a home for Parker, but he still has a lot to prove to be on the roster next season.
It just got so ugly for him from about May to early September. August was especially bad for the left hander. He was 0-5 with a 10.21 ERA that month. It was just painful to watch him pitch.
Parker pitched his way out of the Nats plans in 2025. He will probably be in the big leagues in 2026, but as a guy to eat innings rather than a serious rotation piece. Unless something drastic changes, Parker’s stuff is not good enough to be a real MLB starter. He does not have any pitch or ability to hang his hat on right now.
Like a lot of Nats pitchers, Parker’s 2025 season was a disaster. He should be one of the guys Paul Toboni looks to upgrade on this offseason, whether that is in free agency or on the trade market. The Nationals cannot have a team ERA of 5.35 ever again. To avoid that, the Nationals need to find pitchers with stand out traits. Unfortunately, Mitchell Parker is just not that guy.
Season Grade: F
