Nationals add slugger with 1.025 OPS in Triple-A this season

Billy Heyen

Nationals add slugger with 1.025 OPS in Triple-A this season image

It took longer than many expected, but Andres Chaparro is coming back to the bigs.

The Nationals right-handed slugger made his MLB debut in 2024 and had a bit of an up-and-down spell, but he'd spent the entire 2025 season so far at Triple-A Rochester.

Chaparro gave the Nats almost no choice with how well he was hitting with the Red Wings. In 15 games since returning from injury, Chaparro had a triple-slash line of .304/.400/.625. 

He has five home runs, three doubles and 19 RBI in just 56 at bats with Rochester.

MORE: Everything you need to know about Roman Anthony

Chaparro takes the MLB roster spot of light-hitting infielder Nasim Nunez.

The stocky Chaparro played in 33 games with the Nationals last season. In that stretch, he batted just .215 but did hit 12 doubles and four home runs.

He's a strong contact guy for a power hitter, striking out in less than 15 percent of his at bats at the MLB level in 2024.

MORE: Tigers' Jahmai Jones pays tribute to late father with magical home run in Detroit

Chaparro came up as a third baseman, but he seems limited to first base and DH in the majors, at least based on how Washington used him last year.

The righty will have to hit the ground running to keep his spot at the MLB level as part of a young, talented lineup. Chaparro has shown flashes, and there's still a chance he develops into a consistent major league contributor.

MORE MLB NEWS:

Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle