Irvin made 33 starts and reached 180 innings for the second straight season, but his overall performance took a step back. His walk rate rose, his strikeouts declined and he led MLB by allowing 38 home runs. Both his four-seam fastball and sinker lost roughly 1.5 mph in velocity, though his heavy workload suggests durability was not a concern. While consistently taking the ball has value, Irvin may be at risk of losing his rotation spot if the velocity does not return, particularly with multiple Nationals starters expected back from injury. Read Past Outlooks