How Nationals players chose their walk-up song. And why some keep changing it.

Nationals catcher Drew Millas pondered the question: Who has the best walk-up song on the team?

He surveyed the clubhouse, rummaging through his mind to sort which tunes belonged to which teammate. But the first name Millas thought of came with a backhanded compliment.

With a smile, Millas turned over his left shoulder and bellowed loud enough for All-Star CJ Abrams to hear: “It would be CJ if he hadn’t changed it.”

Abrams had recently switched from “La Introducción” by rapper Shy Glizzy to his old walk-up song, “36 Oz.” by Skeme and Chris Brown. Without uttering a word, Abrams stared at his teammate and immediately pulled out his phone and began typing away.

Millas wondered what Abrams was doing, predicting that Abrams had begun switching songs. But Abrams didn’t utter a word.

When it was time for Abrams to lead off for the Nationals in their series finale against the Rockies, he strolled to the plate as “La Introducción” blared over the public-address system.

For some players, their walk-up song is sacred. Flipping through multiple songs in a season is a non-starter. Others need the constant change to switch up the energy. Abrams aligns with the latter group. He’s cycled through four songs this season — “BIG 5″ by Key Glock, “36 Oz.,” “Skrilla” by Kodak Black and “La Introducción.”

“[It’s gotta be] something that people know who’s coming up to bat,” Abrams said. “Anything that’ll get you in that mode before you hit.”

Walk-up songs are one way baseball players can express themselves. Dansby Swanson uses Atlanta artists to represent his Georgia roots. Phillies fans would sing second baseman Bryson Stott’s walk-up song, “AOK.”

Daylen Lile wants the stadium to light up when they hear his walk-up song. Mariah Carey’s ”Fantasy” is classic that elicits a huge reaction from fans. He said that he loves looking above the visiting dugout as he walks to the plate and seeing fans dancing to the tune.

“I know baseball games could be like a little bit boring, so it’s just something for [the fans] to vibe to, dance to and sing too,” he said.

A lot of major leaguers choose a song because it resonates with the crowd. Dylan Crews used “Yeah Glo!” by GloRilla because he loved the propulsive beat and energetic sound as he went up to the plate.

But as the year progressed and his music tastes shifted, he chose “One of These Nights” by The Eagles to have a more relaxing tune at the plate. Crews listens to a lot of different artists, from country music star Ella Langley to rap to Jimmy Buffett.

Center fielder Jacob Young sees walk-up songs as a way for fans to know a little bit about a player’s personality.

“I think it’s a fun thing just for people to maybe go under the hood, see what you like,” he said. “A lot of guys have country and they’re into country music. It’s a cool little thing just to bring fans a little more knowledge of who you are and kind of just show off your personality a bit.”

“Young Forever” by Jay-Z is his walk-up song because of the play on his last name. The song off the 2008 album “The Blueprint 3” samples “Forever Young” by the German synth-pop group Alphaville.

James Wood uses “Crew” by GoldLink, a very laid-back song that fits with his chill demeanor.

The actual benefits, real or imagined, for the player are another matter.

Young admitted that he “blacks out” when he goes to the plate, as his focus intensifies on his ensuing at-bat against the pitcher. He said his song becomes white noise. Rookie Andrew Pinckney said he doesn’t even hear his song, “Rock With You” by Michael Jackson, play over the speakers.

But Nasim Nuñez revels in hearing his song blare on the PA system at Nationals Park.

“It just helps you get into that zone,” Nuñez said. “Like when you hear your favorite song, it puts you in a good spot.”

Nuñez doesn’t quite remember his first big-league walk-up song, but the first song that resonated with him was “Lean Back” by the rapper Fat Joe. It was his and his grandfather’s favorite song.

Choosing songs because of familial ties is common with the Nationals. Pinckney has had “Rock with You” since 2024 when he was at Double-A Harrisburg. He said he’s not a huge Michael Jackson fan, but that the song reminds him of his upbringing around his grandmother as it played in the house.

Lile’s first song in the majors was “Bandit” by rapper Don Toliver, but in the offseason his eldest brother, Danny III, got married. The wedding playlist had “Fantasy” on it, and Lile was instantly enamored of the ‘90s classic.

Lile briefly changed his walk-up song to “Feel So Good” by the rapper Mase to switch up the energy and test out a song for next season.

Which prompts the question: When does a player know it’s time for a change?

“If you’re swinging well with it, keep it,” Crews said. “If not, then change it.”

Young said that he’ll likely move on from “Young Forever” after the season because he believes that people will get sick of its repetitiveness.

Nuñez has problems sticking with just one walk-up song. His current walk-up song, “Ran to Atlanta” by Drake, Molly Santana and Future, came about because he was eager for a different track but also indecisive. So he asked his girlfriend.

“I’m just like, ‘I just need something new, and I got too many options in my head,’” he said. “‘So whatever you say is cool.’”