PJ Poulin

Active

Washington Nationals · Pitcher

Age 296' 1" · 195 lbsThrows Left

FBaseball Overview

After a solid 2025 debut season that showed promise with 27 strikeouts across limited innings, Poulin enters 2026 as a multi-inning reliever who offers mixed fantasy value depending on league settings. His early-season production through the first few weeks demonstrates improvement across the board—a lower ERA (2.88), better WHIP (1.28), and increased strikeout rate—suggesting he's settling into his role with increased confidence and opportunity. However, the sparse save total (3 SV through significant innings) indicates he's not a primary closer candidate, making him most valuable in points leagues or mixed formats that reward strikeouts from non-save situations. His 2019 MiLB organization all-star pedigree combined with this year's early performance suggests Poulin could develop into a reliable swing-man or multi-inning reliever, but managers should temper expectations until he demonstrates sustained excellence over a full season.

MLB Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2025	Washington Nationals	28	0	2	1	1	3.65	1.46	27	24.2	13
2026	Washington Nationals	34	10	3	0	3	2.83	1.31	22	35.0	20
Career	Totals	62	10	5	1	4	3.17	1.37	49	59.2	33

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Minor League Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2018	Boise Hawks	24	0	1	3	7	1.96	1.09	33	23.0	10
2019	Asheville Tourists	54	0	3	3	13	2.90	1.32	67	59.0	20
2021	2 teams▼	44	0	3	1	4	3.63	0.96	59	44.2	15
2022	2 teams▼	55	0	8	1	6	4.15	1.38	79	60.2	25
2023	Albuquerque Isotopes	32	0	3	3	0	5.44	1.83	39	49.2	33
2024	2 teams▼	45	0	2	1	4	2.10	1.10	73	60	24
2025	Toledo Mud Hens	35	3	7	1	2	3.38	1.29	62	42.2	17
2026	Rochester Red Wings	6	0	0	0	0	4.50	1.33	3	6.0	5
Career	Totals	295	3	27	13	36	3.46	1.30	415	345.2	149

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Game Log2026 season

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Pitching Analytics2026 season · via Baseball Savant

Click for year to year changes

FB Velo89.6 mph

Avg Spin2148 rpm

Whiff %16.3%

K %15.1%

BB %13.7%

Hard Hit %46.5%

Barrel %9.9%

xERA5.52

xBA Against0.259

xSLG Against0.451

BA Against0.208

SLG Against0.360

GB%47.6%

FB%28.2%

What These Stats Mean

FB Velo — Average fastball velocity. Harder throwers generate more swings and misses, setting up every other pitch in their arsenal. Velocity is the foundation of strikeout upside.

Avg Spin — Average spin rate across all pitches. Higher spin creates more movement and makes pitches harder to square up — elite spinners run better strikeout and batting average against numbers.

Whiff % — Swings-and-misses per swing. The most direct measure of a pitcher's ability to miss bats and the best leading indicator of strikeout rate.

K % — Strikeout rate per batter faced. The core fantasy pitching stat — high K% means reliable strikeout totals that hold up even in shorter starts.

BB % — Walk rate per batter faced. The primary control metric. High BB% tanks ERA and WHIP and keeps baserunners on constantly. Elite starters typically run below 7%.

Hard Hit % — Percentage of batted balls hit 95 mph or harder against. Low hard-hit% means weak contact, protecting both ERA and the defense behind the pitcher.

Barrel % — Percentage of batted balls barreled against. The most direct home run predictor — low barrel% pitchers rarely give up long balls.

xERA — Expected ERA based on contact quality allowed, removing the effect of sequencing, luck, and defense. Better predictor of future ERA than ERA itself.

xBA Against — Expected batting average opponents should hit based on contact quality. A gap between xBA and actual BA indicates unsustainable luck in either direction.

xSLG Against — Expected slugging allowed based on contact quality. High xSLG against predicts future extra-base damage; low xSLG means the pitcher is genuinely suppressing power.

BA Against — Actual batting average opponents are hitting — a key WHIP component. Check xBA to see if the number is sustainable.

SLG Against — Actual slugging allowed. Captures hits, doubles, triples, and home runs — lower means the pitcher is limiting the power damage he gives up.

GB% — Ground ball rate. High GB% pitchers generate double plays, limit home runs, and keep the ball in the park — great for protecting ERA and WHIP ratios.

FB% — Fly ball rate. High FB% pitchers give up more air contact — dangerous when combined with high exit velocity, less so when contact is soft.

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Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2025

Washington Nationals

3.65

1.46

24.2

2026

Washington Nationals

2.83

1.31

35.0

Career

Totals

3.17

1.37

59.2

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2018

Boise Hawks

1.96

1.09

23.0

2019

Asheville Tourists

2.90

1.32

59.0

2021

2 teams▼

3.63

0.96

44.2

2022

2 teams▼

4.15

1.38

60.2

2023

Albuquerque Isotopes

5.44

1.83

49.2

2024

2 teams▼

2.10

1.10

2025

Toledo Mud Hens

3.38

1.29

42.2

2026

Rochester Red Wings

4.50

1.33

6.0

Career

Totals

295

3.46

1.30

415

345.2

149