Nationals Hire Blake Butera, MLB’s Youngest Manager in Over 50 Years

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Washington Nationals are set to hire Blake Butera as their new manager, making him the youngest person to hold a managerial position in Major League Baseball in over 50 years.

ESPN reported on Thursday that the 33-year-old Butera, previously the senior player development director for the Tampa Bay Rays, will take over the managerial role following a stalled rebuild since the Nationals’ 2019 World Series win. Butera will be the youngest MLB manager since Frank Quilici in 1972.

In his four seasons as a minor league manager within the Rays organization, Butera accumulated an impressive 258-144 record, leading his teams to four first-place finishes. His final two seasons with Low-A Charleston saw his teams going 170-82 and securing league championships.

Butera’s career began in 2015 when the Rays drafted him in the 35th round out of Boston College. He later transitioned to coaching, serving as a quality-control coach for Leones del Escogido in the Dominican Winter League and acting as bench coach for Team Italy in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

His expertise in advanced metrics and a meticulous approach to baseball have made Butera a sought-after figure in the industry. The Nationals feel his combination of managerial and player-development experience aligns with their goals, especially after hiring 35-year-old Paul Toboni as president of baseball operations.

Seattle, amid a competitive National League East, will take time to reclaim relevancy. The Nationals possess standout talents such as outfielder Juan Soto, but teams are inquiring about potential trades, including left-hander Patrick Corbin and shortstop CJ Abrams.

Meanwhile, the Nationals enhanced their farm system by selecting Oklahoma prep shortstop Jace Jung with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft. Their top pitching prospect, who underwent Tommy John surgery in July, is expected to miss significant time during the 2026 season.