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Nationals Introduce 31-Year-Old Ani Kilambi as General Manager

Washington signals a data-driven rebuild under a leadership group younger than any in MLB.

Overview

  • The team formally presented Kilambi on Thursday, completing a top trio with Paul Toboni, 35, and Blake Butera, 33, that ranks as MLB’s youngest president-GM-manager combination.
  • A veteran of the Rays and Phillies, Kilambi spent seven seasons in Tampa Bay and four in Philadelphia overseeing research and development as an assistant GM.
  • Club leaders said the hires were based on ideas and fit rather than age, with Kilambi and Toboni emphasizing open-minded collaboration to drive decisions.
  • Assistant GMs Devin Pearson, 31, and Justin Horowitz, 34, joined a primarily sub-40 coaching staff that includes pitching coach Simon Mathews, 30, and bench coach Michael Johns, 50.
  • Washington’s on-field group also skews young, with last season’s hitters and pitchers ranking as the second-youngest in MLB and a core that includes James Wood, Dylan Crews and Daylen Lile.