The Washington Nationals have hired Grant Anders as their MLB player development coach, a new role for the organization. Anders, who also serves as bullpen catcher, brings experience from the Baltimore Orioles and other teams. This move aligns with the team's focus on developing its young roster under new leadership.
The Washington Nationals announced the hiring of Grant Anders as MLB player development coach, a position created under the current regime led by Paul Toboni. Anders will also serve as the team's bullpen catcher, marking an intriguing addition to the coaching staff given the youth on the Nationals' roster.
Anders brings relevant experience to the role. He served as an MLB player development analyst with the Orioles from 2021 to 2024, then transitioned to MLB player development coach for the team in the 2024 season. Following a difficult 2025 season and subsequent staff turnover in Baltimore, Anders became available. Prior to the Orioles, he worked for the Royals and Reds after graduating from Radford University in 2018, where he was director of player development.
This hire reflects a shift toward a "new school" approach that Toboni and general manager Mike Butera favor. The previous coaching staff had faced criticism in recent years, and fans have welcomed these changes as a way to better evaluate the roster's potential. While not every MLB team employs a full-time player development coach at the major league level, the role is becoming more common, especially for teams emphasizing youth like the Nationals.
The addition signals a new era in Washington, D.C., moving away from the methods of former executive Mike Rizzo, which had grown stale. Anders is expected to provide hands-on coaching, working directly with players to improve their skills beyond the minors. Observers note that this innovative direction could help the Nationals catch up to more modern organizations in the league.