Welcome to the offseason edition of the Nationals Beat newsletter. This is your stop for the latest on and off the field, from news to exclusive player interviews and insights brought to you by MLB.com club reporter Jessica Camerato.

The deadline to protect prospects from the Rule 5 Draft brought the addition of four players to the Nationals' 40-man roster on Tuesday. And all four are pitchers ranked in the Nats' Top 30 prospects, per MLB Pipeline: Left-hander DJ Herz (No. 16), right-hander Cole Henry (No. 18), lefty Mitchell Parker (No. 25) and righty Zach Brzykcy (No. 28).

In corresponding moves, the Nationals designated first baseman Dominic Smith and righty reliever Cory Abbott for assignment. They also granted the unconditional release of right-hander Andrés Machado to pursue opportunities in Japan.

Of those moves, the most notable is DFA’ing Smith, who started 140 games at first base this past season. The 28-year-old veteran hit .254 with a career-high 12 home runs (six in September) and was lauded for his defense, recording a .994 fielding percentage. Next season, Washington could tab designated hitter Joey Meneses at first, where he logged 284 2/3 innings in 2022 and 156 frames in '23, or explore starter options via free agency or trade.

Let’s take a look at the prospects protected from the 2023 Rule 5 Draft, scheduled to take place on Dec. 6 in Nashville, Tenn., during the Winter Meetings. 

RHP Zach Brzykcy
Age: 24
Undrafted

Brzykcy is recovering from missing the entire 2023 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in April. In ‘22, he went 8-2 with a 1.76 ERA in 51 relief appearances while rising from High-A Wilmington to Triple-A Rochester. Brzykcy earned an invitation to Major League Spring Training last season.

MLB Pipeline scouting grades: Fastball, 70; curveball, 55; changeup, 45; control, 45; overall, 40

RHP Cole Henry
Age: 24
Drafted: 2020, second round by the Nationals

Henry returned last season after undergoing thoracic outlet surgery in August 2022. He made 14 appearances (10 starts) and went 0-3 with a 6.21 ERA while advancing to Double-A Harrisburg. Henry reached Triple-A in ‘22, and he has a cumulative 4-8 record and a 3.29 ERA in 112 innings over three seasons in the Nationals organization.

MLB Pipeline scouting grades: Fastball, 60; curveball, 55; changeup, 55; control, 50; overall, 40

LHP DJ Herz
Age: 22
Drafted: 2019, eighth round by the Cubs

Herz was acquired in the Jeimer Candelario trade last season, and he went 2-2 with a 2.55 ERA in eight starts with the Double-A Senators. He ranked 13th among all Minor League pitchers (minimum of 90 innings pitched) with a cumulative .196 opponents’ batting average between the Nationals and Cubs organizations. Herz was named to the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game this month.

MLB Pipeline scouting grades: Fastball, 55; curveball, 40; slider, 50; changeup, 65; control, 40; overall: 45

LHP Mitchell Parker
Age: 24
Drafted: 2020, fifth round by the Nationals

Parker topped all Washington Minor League players last season with 150 strikeouts. Between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester, he went 9-7 with a 4.72 ERA and 10.9 strikeouts per nine innings in 28 games (26 starts). Among the Nats' farm system, Parker also tied for the most wins with lefty Alemao Hernandez.

MLB Pipeline scouting grades: Fastball, 50; curveball, 55; changeup, 45; splitter, 50; control, 45; overall, 40

Versatile infielder and Nationals’ No. 14 prospect Trey Lipscomb was named the 2023 Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner for his defense at third base in the Minor Leagues.

Lipscomb, 23, played every infield position this past season. In 88 games between High-A and Double-A, he posted a .971 fielding percentage at third base while recording 171 assists.

For this recognition, Lipscomb will receive a Rawlings Gold Glove Award (modeled after the Major League honor) next season.

Lipscomb also was named the Nats’ Minor League Defensive Player of the Year in September. At the time, he said, “Coming into this season, I really wanted to push my defensive work, and I think that’s what I did.” 

Outfielder Dylan Crews returned to LSU on Saturday to receive an acclaimed honor -- this time, as a top-ranked Major League prospect.

Crews, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 Draft and the Nationals’ top prospect (No. 4 overall), was presented with the Golden Spikes Award during the LSU-Florida football game. He earned the honor for the best amateur baseball player in the U.S. after helping LSU win the College World Series. Crews, along with his collegiate teammates, also received his championship ring in a pregame ceremony.

These events are taking place at Nationals Park in the offseason.  

• Nov. 24-Dec. 31: Enchant 

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