Juan Yepez DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Washington Nationals first baseman Juan Yepez did not make the Opening Day roster out of spring training and will begin the 2025 season at Triple-A Rochester, a source told ElExtraBase's Daniel Alvarez-Montes. Yepez wasn't able to stand out in the Grapefruit League by hitting .244 (11-for-45) with one double, no homers, five RBI and two runs scored in 19 contests. The 27-year-old Venezuelan was much more impressive in his first season with the Nats in 2024, slashing .283/.335/.429 with a .764 OPS, six home runs and 26 RBI in 62 games played. If Yepez isn't hitting, he's not much use to Washington, as he doesn't stand out on defense and is mainly an option at either first base or designated hitter. There's just not much upside here for fantasy purposes, as Yepez is most likely to be a bench bat with below-average power whenever he returns to the majors.

The Washington Post's Spencer Nusbaum reports that Washington Nationals infielder Juan Yepez has been seeing most of his work at spring training at third base. The 27-year-old Venezuelan could be competing for a regular role at the hot corner for the Nats to open the 2025 regular season, although the last time he played at third base was in 2022 with the St. Louis Cardinals, when he made only three starts. He has plenty of experience at the position in the minors, though, and hit .283/.335/.429 with six home runs, 26 RBI and 32 runs scored in 249 trips to the plate over 62 games in his first year with Washington in 2024. Yepez's bat is certainly ahead of his glove, and his lack of range on the infield will probably keep him limited to more of a first base/designated hitter role. It's unlikely you'll see Yepez hitting in the heart of the Nats' order again this year, especially given his lack of power.

Washington Nationals first baseman Juan Yepez went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Thursday's victory versus the Colorado Rockies. His home run came in the bottom of the eighth inning, adding some insurance runs for the Nationals late in the ballgame. Yepez burst onto the scene with a smoking hot bat when he was promoted from Triple-A Rochester in early July, but has since cooled off significantly lately. Over the last month, he is now hitting .224 with three home runs and 14 RBI. With his recent struggles, Yepez can safely remain on the waiver wire moving forward. Yepez will look to keep the momentum going on Friday when the Nationals square off against Chris Sale and the Atlanta Braves.