The Nationals still play, still building. A weekend in San Francisco offered a snapshot of their future: Gore showed why he’s the present-and-future ace in six stellar innings, Abrams delivered a homer off Verlander, and Wood anchored a multi-hit, run-producing day with Wood and Lile contributing in the leadoff and middle order. Brady House and Daylen Lile added important knocks, underscoring a growing core that could turn Washington into a competitive threat next season. With a month and a half left, the focus is on confidence, habits, and proving they can contend, even if the season’s destination remains distant.

This season, fantasy baseball managers are increasingly focused on emerging prospects who can provide immediate upgrades to their rosters. Colby Thomas of the Oakland Athletics, Joe Boyle of the Tampa Bay Rays, and Daylen Lile of the Washington Nationals are three players that warrant attention as potential waiver wire pickups or stashes.

Colby Thomas, an outfielder for the Athletics, has displayed impressive stats in Triple-A with a .302 batting average and 17 home runs in just 68 games. As the A's struggle in the standings, a call-up for him could bring significant power to fantasy lineups, making him a worthy stash in deeper leagues.

On the mound, Joe Boyle has dominated in Triple-A with a 1.83 ERA and an impressive 81 strikeouts over 64 innings. Despite his skills, he remains in the minors, but if he can secure a spot in the Rays' rotation, he could be a game-changer for fantasy teams.

Lastly, Daylen Lile is back in the majors with the Nationals, where his underlying metrics suggest he could improve on his current .151 batting average. With an opportunity for regular at-bats in a struggling lineup, he is worth adding for managers looking to capitalize on his multi-category potential.