The Nationals have starting rotation needs for 2027. Jackson Kent could fill one of those slots.

When the Nationals were in the thick of their wild-card pursuit, the pitching lagged far behind the offense.

Even after the trade deadline saw mainstays depart the lineup, the offense is middle of the pack in terms of runs scored. And with some intriguing position players in the farm system, plus this front office’s belief that it can develop hitting internally, it’s reasonable to expect the offense not to suffer much of a drop-off next season.

But who’s going to be in the rotation? That’s the No. 1 question the Nationals need to answer in the offseason. Outside of staff ace Cade Cavalli, who’s blossomed this season, the team has a paucity of reliable starters. Jake Irvin hasn’t been effective, while Andrew Alvarez is trending in the right direction but has had lackluster moments.

Connelly Early, the team’s prized trade deadline addition, threw live batting practice Friday and is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Sept. 8. Early (elbow inflammation) hasn’t pitched in a big league game since his June 30 start for the Boston Red Sox against the Nationals. Manager Blake Butera didn’t sound optimistic about Early returning in time to pitch at the big league level this season.

So it’s safe to say next year’s rotation is open for pitchers to grab a spot.

Jackson Kent could be penciled in for 2027. The left-hander, who threw a career-high seven innings with three strikeouts and four walks in Friday’s 9-2 win over the Marlins, could be one option.

As Kent left the field after fielding a comebacker for the final out of the seventh inning, his chain dangled from his neck as teammates eagerly awaited to congratulate him. He had navigated out of a jam with runners on first and second with two outs and maintained his velocity deep into his start, finishing with 106 pitches, the most he’s thrown in a game this season. It was also his first major league victory.

“It tells me he loves to compete and loves to get after it and isn’t gonna back down from a challenge,” Butera said of Kent finishing the seventh.

Entering Friday, Nationals starters had thrown the fourth-fewest innings in the majors with the fourth-worst ERA. That innings total is lower because of the openers the team used in front of Zack Littell and Miles Mikolas, who operated in bulk roles, but neither veteran is with the organization, so their innings will have to be replaced regardless.

The team received an influx of youth after promoting prospects Luis Perales — albeit in a bullpen role, but he started 19 games at Triple-A Rochester this season after recovering from Tommy John elbow surgery — and Kent, who produced a breakout season after upping his velocity in the offseason.

Kent has had mixed outings since joining the big league team, but he’s an intriguing option because of his strike-throwing tendencies. He projects as the type of reliable starter this team will need to contend for the playoffs next season and beyond. But, beyond the velocity uptick, Kent is a competitor, and his teammates feel his intensity on the mound and in the dugout.

“I think [Kent’s confidence] makes us confident as well,” third baseman Brady House said. “At least for me, like I see him up there and don’t really talk to him in the dugout much because he’s doing his thing, which I respect.”

Catcher Harry Ford, who spent ample time catching him at Triple-A, said Kent “goes to a different zone when he’s out there.”

That the Nationals let Kent test the limits of his left arm deep into Friday’s start is a testament to their belief in his abilities. Butera said, when Simon Mathews returned from a mound visit, the pitching coach said Kent “did not want to come out of that game.”

That’s the side of Kent that engenders his teammates’ respect. He didn’t want to leave the game and have someone else finish his work. He wanted to lock in and complete the job.

“It’s late in the season now, and I’m getting up there in innings,” Kent said. “It’s good to get back in there and be able to go more than five innings.”

He burst onto the organization’s radar in January at a minor league camp, and he’s continued to impress.

“I think [Kent] gaining some experience there for him is only going to help him in the future,” Butera said.

Developing homegrown starting pitching is the hallmark of franchises that have sustained success. Kent impressing at the end of the season could have implications for next year’s rotation.

“It’s great to get my first win. Now we just build from there,” he said. “It’s still a learning process in all of this. It’s just keep practicing and keep getting better.”

This article has been updated.