Fredericksburg Nationals

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Fredericksburg Nationals
Team logo Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
ClassSingle-A (2021–present)
Previous classesClass A-Advanced (2020)
LeagueCarolina League (2020–present)
DivisionNorth Division
Major league affiliations
TeamWashington Nationals (2005–present)
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles (5)
  • 1989
  • 2008
  • 2010
  • 2014
  • 2024
Division titles (10)
  • 1989
  • 1991
  • 1995
  • 2004
  • 2008
  • 2010
  • 2013
  • 2014
  • 2018
  • 2024
Second-half titles (2)
  • 2022
  • 2024
Team data
NameFredNats
Previous names
  • Potomac Nationals (2005–2019)
  • Potomac Cannons (1999–2004)
  • Prince William Cannons (1989–1998)
  • Prince William Yankees (1987–1988)
  • Prince William Pirates (1984–1986)
ColorsRed, white, blue
     
MascotGus[1]
BallparkVirginia Credit Union Stadium
Previous parks
Northwest Federal Field at Pfitzner Stadium (1984–2019)
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
Art Silber[2]
PresidentLani Silber Weiss[2]
General managerRobert Perry[2]
ManagerJake Lowery[3]
Websitemilb.com/fredericksburg

The Fredericksburg Nationals are a Minor League Baseball team that is the Single-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. They are located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and play their home games at Virginia Credit Union Stadium, with a capacity of 5,000 people.

History

In June 2018, Potomac Nationals owner Art Silber announced that he had signed a letter of intent to build a new stadium in Fredericksburg, Virginia, that would open in April 2020.[4] The 5,000-seat multi-purpose stadium, as then planned, would include a 300-seat club facility and 13 suites.[5] In November 2018, the Fredericksburg city council unanimously gave final approval for the Silber family to finance, build, and maintain the $35 million stadium with the city as an "anchor tenant" making an annual payment to the club of $1.05 million for 30 years.[6]

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on February 24, 2019,[7] but construction work did not begin until July[8] or August 2019.[9] On September 25, 2019, general manager Nick Hall said, "We're 100 percent planning on opening April 23."[10] MASN reported on January 13, 2020, that Hall had said that construction was on schedule and that he was confident the venue would be ready for the 2020 season.[11] With the 2020 season start postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nationals held a virtual opening day on April 23, 2020. Hall said that the stadium was baseball-ready though construction was not yet complete, even though, with construction deemed as essential business, "The construction progress has gone off without a hitch."[12][13] Construction was continuing at the start of June 2020.[14] Since its inaugural 2021 season, the team has used the stadium, which in 2022 was renamed the Virginia Credit Union Stadium, under a 10-year naming rights deal.[15][16][17]

As part of a process to give the team a new name that included Fredericksburg,[6] a "Name the Team" contest that began in April 2019 received more than 2,400 responses on the team name, colors, mascots, and ways to incorporate local history and culture.[8] On October 5, 2019, the team announced that it had changed its name to the Fredericksburg Nationals for the 2020 season and that its marketing nickname for the team – "P-Nats" when the team was the Potomac Nationals – would change to "FredNats."[18][19][20]

The team's uniforms were revealed on November 16, 2019, along with a Mary Washington logo at an event on Mary Washington's 311th birthday.[21]

In March 2020, the team unveiled their new mascot, Gus, described as "fat and fluffy" with purple fur and bright green eyebrows.[1]

2020 season

The 2020 minor league baseball season was initially postponed, and ultimately cancelled altogether, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[22][23] With no minor league season to play, Fredericksburg became the alternate training site for the Washington Nationals, hosting players who were not on the active roster, as well as a number of minor league players and instructors, during the 2020 season.[24]

2021 season

Before the Fredericksburg Nationals could play a game at the Class A-Advanced level, the team was notified in December 2020 that it would need to accept relegation to the Low-A level to continue to play as an affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Silber confirmed the Fredericksburg Nationals would continue their affiliation with Washington at the new level for 2021 and beyond.[25] They were organized into a newly named league, the Low-A East.[26]

Fredericksburg began competition on May 4, 2021, with a 16–3 loss to the Lynchburg Hillcats at Bank of the James Stadium in Lynchburg, Virginia.[27] The Nationals played their first home game at FredNats Ballpark on May 11, 2021, losing to the Delmarva Shorebirds, 7–5, with 2,065 people in attendance.[28][29]

The team finished its inaugural 2021 season with a 44-76 win-loss record, ending in fourth (last) place in the North Division of the Low-A East League. However, the team's total attendance of 199,071 was the highest in its division.[30]

2022 season

In 2022, the Low-A East renamed itself as the Carolina League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization, and was reclassified as a Single-A circuit. The League also changed its structure, from three four-team divisions to two six-team divisions.[31]

The team finished the 2022 regular season with a 75-55 overall win-loss record, first in the Carolina League's North Division. More specifically, Fredericksburg finished fifth in its division in the season's first half, with a 33-33 record, and first in the second half with a 42-22 record. In the first round of Carolina League playoffs, the FredNats fell in 3 games to Lynchburg in the best-of-three game series, as the North Division's first-place teams in the two halves of the season.[32][33][34]

2023 season

The team finished the 2023 regular season with a 65-63 overall win-loss record, third in the Carolina League's North Division. More specifically, Fredericksburg finished third in its division in the season's first half, with a 30-33 record, and third in the second half with a 35-30 record.[35]

2024 season; first league championship

On September 18, 2024, the FredNats beat the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, 3-0, at home, in the third game of a 3-game series to win their first Carolina League championship.[36]

League The team's final position in the league standings
Division The team's final position in the divisional standings
GB Games behind the team that finished in first place in the division that season
† League champions
* Division champions
^ Postseason berth
Season League Regular season Postseason MLB affiliate Ref.
Record Win % League Division GB Record Win % Result
2021 A- E 44-76 .367 11th 4th 27 — — — Washington Nationals [37]
2022 CAR 75-55 .577 3rd 1st - 1-2 .333 Won Second-Half Northern Division title[38]

Lost Northern Division title vs Lynchburg Hillcats, 2-0

Washington Nationals [38]
2023 CAR 65-63 .508 6th 4th 7.5 — — — Washington Nationals [39]
2024 CAR 74-57 .565 2nd 2nd 5 4-1 .800 Won Second-Half Northern Division title[40]

Won Northern Division title vs. Carolina Mudcats, 2-0

Won Carolina League Title vs Kannapolis Cannonballers, 2-1

Washington Nationals [40]
Totals — 258-251 .506 — — — 5-3 .625 — — —
Virginia Credit Union Stadium in 2023
Ballpark main entrance

Roster

Fredericksburg Nationals roster
Players Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  • 18 Anthony Arguelles
  •    Merrick Baldo
  • 34 Merritt Beeker
  • 17 Adam Bloebaum
  • 28 Matthew Bollenbacher
  • 14 Alex Clemmey
  • 36 Robert Cranz
  • 27 Bubba Hall
  • 39 Alexander Meckley
  • 35 Johan Otanez
  •    Bryan Polanco ~
  • 10 Angel Roman
  • 11 Brayan Romero
  • 29 Bryan Sanchez
  •  8 Camilo Sanchez
  • 31 Travis Sthele
  • 39 Travis Sykora

Catchers

Infielders

  •  2 Kelvin Diaz
  •  7 Seaver King
  • 23 Jorgelys Mota
  • 13 Nathaniel Ochoa Leyva
  •  3 Rafael Ramirez Jr.

Outfielders

  •  1 Teo Banks
  • 12 Brenner Cox
  • 21 Elijah Green
  • 26 Nick Peoples
  • 24 Sam Petersen
  • 25 Brandon Pimentel
  • 30 Cristhian Vaquero

Manager

Coaches

  • 47 Mike Habas (hitting)
  • 16 Carmelo Jaime (development)
  • 33 Justin Lord (pitching)

60-day injured list

  • 40 Juan Abreu (full season)
  •  6 Gabriel Agostini (full season)
  •    Pablo Aldonis (full season)
  • 19 Tyler Baca
  •    Everett Cooper III
  •    Franklin Marquez (full season)
  •    Liam Sullivan (full season)
  •    Erik Tolman

7-day injured list
* On Washington Nationals 40-man roster
~ Development list
# Rehab assignment
∞ Reserve list
‡ Restricted list
§ Suspended list
† Temporarily inactive list
Roster updated September 16, 2024
 Transactions
→ More rosters: MiLB • Carolina League
 → Washington Nationals minor league players

See also

References

  1. ^ a b LoMonaco, Joey (April 6, 2020). "Fredericksburg Nationals unveil new mascot: Gus". The Free Lance–Star. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "Front Office". MiLB.com. Fredericksburg Nationals. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  3. ^ "Field Staff". milb.com. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  4. ^ Hambrick, Greg (June 26, 2018). "Potomac Nationals announce plans for Fredericksburg stadium". InsideNoVa.com. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  5. ^ "P-Nats Announce First Fredericksburg Ballpark Founding Partnership". Ballpark Digest. July 9, 2018. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  6. ^ a b Jett, Cathy (November 13, 2018). "Fredericksburg finalizes $35 million stadium deal with Potomac Nationals' owners". The Free Lance–Star. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  7. ^ Spedden, Zach (February 26, 2019). "New Fredericksburg Ballpark Breaks Ground". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  8. ^ a b "Fredericksburg Ballpark Site Work to Start Next Month". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. June 25, 2019. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  9. ^ "Moving dirt at the baseball stadium site in Fredericksburg". Fredericksburg Today. August 17, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  10. ^ LoMonaco, Joey (September 25, 2019). "Fredericksburg Baseball confident in being ready for 2020 season". The Free Lance–Star. Retrieved September 27, 2019.
  11. ^ Kerr, Byron (January 13, 2020). "FredNats on schedule for new stadium opening April 23". MASN. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  12. ^ Kerr, Byron (April 23, 2020). "Fredericksburg stadium baseball-ready for today's virtual opening day". MASN. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  13. ^ LoMonaco, Joey (April 21, 2020). "FredNats dealing with 'hodgepodge' during COVID-19". The Free Lance–Star. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  14. ^ Nawrotzky, Kirk (June 9, 2020). "With inaugural season on hold, Fredericksburg Nationals can't wait to take the field". WRIC-TV. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  15. ^ "FredNats sell stadium naming rights to credit union". Potomac Local News. March 6, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  16. ^ LoMonaco, Joey (March 5, 2022). "Fredericksburg Nationals and Virginia Credit Union announce naming rights deal". The Free Lance–Star. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  17. ^ Griffin, Liam (March 7, 2022). "FredNats Ballpark Renamed Virginia Credit Union Stadium". Patch (Fredericksburg, Virginia). Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  18. ^ Caputo, Phil (October 5, 2019). "Introducing the FredNats, by George!". SportsLogos.net. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
  19. ^ LoMonaco, Joey (October 5, 2019). "Fredericksburg minor league baseball team unveils new name". The Free Lance–Star. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  20. ^ Hill, Benjamin (October 5, 2019). "Fredericksburg makes Nationals news". MiLB.com. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  21. ^ "Fredericksburg Nationals Unveil Team Jerseys and Mary Washington Logo". MiLB.com (Press release). Fredericksburg Nationals. November 18, 2019. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  22. ^ "A Message From Pat O'Conner". Minor League Baseball. March 13, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  23. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  24. ^ Reddington, Patrick (July 8, 2020). "Washington Nationals' Alternate Training Site in Fredericksburg Nationals' new home..." Federal Baseball. SB Nation. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  25. ^ "FredNats to be the new Low-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals". Fredericksburg Today. December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  26. ^ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  27. ^ "Nationals vs. Hillcats Box Score 05/04/21". Minor League Baseball. May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  28. ^ "Shorebirds vs. Nationals Box Score 05/11/21". Minor League Baseball. May 11, 2021. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  29. ^ Svrluga, Barry (May 12, 2021). "Fredericksburg had to wait for its minor league debut, but it's time to play ball at last". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  30. ^ "2021 Low-A East League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  31. ^ "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  32. ^ "Standings, Carolina League". MiLB.com. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  33. ^ LoMONACO, JOEY (September 12, 2022). "FredNats expect a big crowd for their first playoff game". Fredericksburg.com (The Free Lance-Star). Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  34. ^ "Hillcats looking for much-needed momentum heading into final regular-season series". The News & Advance. September 5, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  35. ^ "Standings". MiLB.com. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  36. ^ Payne, Devin (September 19, 2024). "Updated: FredNats win Carolina League championship". Fredericksburg Free Press. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  37. ^ "2021 Fredericksburg Standings". MiLB.com. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  38. ^ a b "2022 Overall Standings". MiLB.com. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  39. ^ "2023 Overall Standings". MiLB.com. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  40. ^ a b "Overall Standings". MiLB.com. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
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