The Nationals finally made the long-anticipated (and much-needed) change with the firing of Mike Rizzo right before the 2025 draft. Rizzo had past success building a farm system, but with the recent innovations in player development and scouting, the firing was long overdue. Since their 2019 World Series Championship, and even several years before, the Nationals were being taken to school by the rest of the league. Their draft strategy had zero direction, and when those players made it into professional baseball, the organization largely failed at maximizing their potential. Outside of “safe” draft selections like Dylan Crews or players acquired outside the org in the Juan Soto trade, like CJ Abrams and James Wood, they had little success with creating homegrown talents.
Paul Toboni, Anirudh Kilambi, and the rest of the new regime have a difficult task ahead of them. Not only are they tasked with cleaning up the mess of the previous regime, but they also were not in charge of the 2025 Draft, where they selected Eli Willits #1 overall. While I largely supported the process behind the 2025 Draft, you would still prefer to be in charge of such large decisions. Toboni & Co. have identified player development as their most important objective, and have spent the offseason hiring college coaches to really maximize the development structure. If done right, I anticipate that emphasis on player development will completely revolutionize their top prospects, and there will be a ton of change in these rankings by 2027. With all that said, let’s get into the list.
Top Nationals Prospects
The Top Tier
1) Eli Willits – MIF, 18 YO
2025 MiLB Stats (A): .300 AVG | .397 OBP | .360 SLG | 0 HR | 2 SBs | 20.7% K% | 12.1% BB%
In a draft with no clear-cut number 1 overall prospect, the Nationals selected what many would deem a “safe” prospect. Coming from a baseball family that runs deep, the adjectives to describe Willits’ game are ballplayer, disciplined, and consistent. Hitting from both sides of the plate, he features a bat-to-ball, line-drive-focused approach. The hit tool is way more advanced than the power, and comes with impressive plate discipline. Willits combines that skillset with above-average speed and athleticism that should allow him to stick at shortstop and make a large impact with his legs.
While that might sound more like a solid prospect than elite, Willits has multiple things going for him that elevate his potential. First, on draft day, he was only 17 years old, meaning he still has a lot of physical maturation ahead of him. If he can combine his present bat-to-ball skills with some added strength, the results could be 20+ home runs while still possessing a plus hit tool. The most productive players possess a combination of offensive traits, and Willits has the potential to maximize all of those.
2) Travis Sykora – RHP, 20 YO
2025 MiLB Stats (Rk/A/A+/AA): 45.1 IP | 1.79 ERA | 46.7% K% | 10.1% BB%
Where Willits is safe, Sykora is exciting. Standing in at 6’6″, 232 lbs, he is one of the more imposing prospects in all of Minor League Baseball, and it shows in the quality of his stuff. In two MiLB seasons, Sykora has thrown 130.1 innings with a 2.14 ERA, while striking out 208 hitters and only walking 44. For a young, high-octane, right-handed pitcher, the combination of elite swing and miss stuff and above-average strike-throwing ability makes him a top-of-the-rotation potential arm.
But as has seemingly become commonplace with high-octane arms, there are injury concerns. While Sykora was rocketing up four MiLB levels in dominant fashion, he was shut down with an injury that led to elbow reconstruction surgery. That leaves a very wide open window for his potential future. If Sykora returns to pre-injury form, he has the potential to be the best pitching prospect in baseball.
3) Jarlin Susana – RHP, 21 YO
2025 MiLB Stats (A+/AA): 56.1 IP | 3.51 ERA | 38.9% K% | 13.9% BB%
Very rarely can an org trade a player of Juan Soto’s caliber and walk away feeling like winners. Not only has James Wood developed into a stud at the MLB level, but CJ Abrams is also a valuable big leaguer, and Jarlin Susana is gradually turning into one of the most exciting pitching prospects in the sport.
Susana features one of the best two-pitch combos in all of MiLB. The fastball routinely sits in the 98-101 range, touching 102, and he pairs that with a slider that plays well off the heater and generates a ton of swing and miss. That two-pitch mix has led to an impressive 252 strikeouts over his last 159.1 innings. Years ago, it would have been a red flag to have a starting pitcher with only two above-average pitches, but in the modern era, it is doable. Susana’s biggest obstacle, leading many to believe he has future elite closer in his future, is the lack of command. With 34 walks in 56.1 innings, even in his best statistical year, strike throwing is still an issue. If he ever reigns in the command, he has the potential to be a dominant starter.
4) Harry Ford – C, 22 YO
2025 MLB (SEA) Stats: .167 AVG | .250 OBP | .167 SLG | 0 HR | 0 SBs | 37.5% K% | 0.00% BB%
2025 MiLB Stats (AAA): .283 AVG | .408 OBP | .460 SLG | 16 HR | 7 SBs | 19.2% K% | 16.2% BB%
Ford has long been regarded as one of the better two-way catching prospects in the sport. He has consistently showcased an above-average hit tool across multiple MiLB levels, and solid enough power to be an everyday big leaguer. Ford also has the added benefit of having plus speed for a catcher, which gives him a unique quality of being a potential 20/20 player at the catching position. Cal Raleigh’s breakout 2025 season left Ford in a precarious position with the Mariners, which ultimately led to the offseason trade to the Nationals.
The catching position is the hardest position in baseball to correctly evaluate. A productive offensive catcher is one of the most valuable assets in the sport, but we also tend to overrate catchers who show some semblance of offensive ability. There are questions over Ford’s true offensive potential, but at the least, he has some of the best plate discipline and contact skills with average power at a premium position. Ford may never light the league on fire, but he is a valuable commodity nonetheless.
Prospects Dynasty Managers Should Know
5) Luke Dickerson – MIF, 20 YO
2025 MiLB Stats (Rk/A): .208 AVG | .315 OBP | .326 SLG | 6 HR | 22 SBs | 24.5% K% | 12.5% BB%
Dickerson is the exact prospect I anticipate to thrive under the new regime. As a two-sport high school athlete who tied Mike Trout’s home run record in the state of New Jersey, there is a very high ceiling in his game. He is an athlete first with an impressive power/speed combo, and needs the right development to thrive. The last regime really struggled with this type of player. It is to be seen if the new regime will do better, but the reality is, it can’t be much worse.
6) Landon Harman – RHP, 19 YO
2025 MiLB Stats: Did not Pitch
The 2025 draft strategy for the Nationals was largely based around chasing potential. When chasing potential, it needs to be paired with the right development, and the Nationals are headed in the right direction. Harmon is an imposing figure, standing in at 6’5″ with a fastball that sits 93-96, touching 99. He pairs that with an above-average slider and a changeup that needs some work. The control is much better than a typical tall, lanky prep arm, and assuming he adds muscle and continues to improve, he could be in the tier with Sykora and Susana as soon as next offseason.
7) Coy James – MIF, 18 YO
2025 MiLB Stats: Did not Play
Entering the 2025 year, James seemed like a slam dunk to go in the first round. He was one of the best prep players in the class and showcased an impressive hit/power combo. As happens with some prospects, he started chasing more power in his draft year and massively regressed. He added some weight, which translated to more strength, but took away from his athleticism and speed. With the right refinement, that potential is still in there, and the Nationals deserve credit for buying low on one of the most talented players in the class.
8) Alex Clemmey – LHP, 20 YO
2025 Stats (A+/AA): 116.2 IP | 3.47 ERA | 26.8% K% | 14.4% BB%
Clemmey features a very similar profile to Susana, but from the left side. The fastball-slider combo is well above average, but he struggles to consistently throw strikes, and lacks a third offering. Considering his age and potential room for growth, he still has the potential to grow into a mid-rotation starter who can dominate in stretches. At the worst, a dominant reliever is still in the cards for Clemmey.
9) Luis Perales – RHP, 22 YO
2025 MiLB Stats (AA/AAA): 2.1 IP | 7.71 ERA | 44.4% K% | 33.3% BB%
When Perales has been on the mound, he has been impressive, but those opportunities are few and far between. After being signed in 2019, he has only managed to pitch 163.1 innings due to the combination of the Covid-19 pandemic and injuries. The most innings he has pitched in 89.2 in 2023. But in those 163.1 innings, he has managed a 3.31 ERA with 228 strikeouts and 86 walks. The FB has been up to 101 with carry at the top of the zone, and pairs well with a cutter and splitter that are both above average. This offseason will be huge for Perales’ ability to stay on the mound and potentially grow into a starter at the MLB level. It’s not for lack of high-end stuff.
10) Seaver King – MIF, 22 YO
2025 MiLB Stats (A+/AA): .244 AVG | .294 OBP | .337 SLG | 6 HR | 30 SBs | 21.1% K% | 5.8% BB%
I hated this selection by the Nationals in the 2024 Draft, not because of King himself, but because the Nationals had shown zero ability to develop a player of his type. King features a hyper-aggressive approach, but pairs it with above-average bat-to-ball skills. That works in college baseball when you can “out-athlete” your competition, but it tends to be a limiting factor if not developed properly. The results under the old regime were largely what I had expected. It will be up to the new regime to tame down some of King’s aggressiveness, allow him to use his above-average bat-to-ball skills the right way, and actually tap into the power that he possesses. If he improves, the athleticism and tools are there for King to be a valuable big leaguer.
11) Ethan Petry – OF/1B, 21 YO
2025 MiLB Stats (A): .287 AVG | .386 OBP | .414 SLG | 2 HR | 1 SBs | 24.8% K% | 12.9% BB%
After his freshman season, many believed Petry wouldn’t have to wait long to hear his name called in the 2025 draft. But struggles, injuries, and ultimately swing-and-miss concerns left many wondering how a talented player regressed so much in such a short time. The Nationals still took a chance on him at 49th overall, and the potential impact is high. There were swing improvements during Petry’s junior season, which ended up being cut short due to injury. If those improvements can be built upon, the Nationals could have a cornerstone power bat in the middle of their lineup.
12) Sam Petersen – OF, 22 YO
2025 MiLB Stats (A/A+): .310 AVG | .416 OBP | .489 SLG | 7 HR | 23 SBs | 18.9% K% | 11.7% BB%
For an org desperate for some outfield talent in the MiLB ranks, Petersen is an exciting player at a position of need. An eighth-round pick out of Iowa in 2024, he has already exceeded expectations. He was dominant across three levels in 2025 and capped it with an impressive showing in 44 games at High-A. A .490 slugging percentage at a well-known graveyard, Wilmington, is an impressive feat in its own, and he also added 18 stolen bases for good measure. Even if 2025 is a mirage, Peterson’s combination of bat-to-ball skills and speed will make him a big leaguer. If it is legit, he could rise to becoming a top-vie prospect in the system soon.
13) Ronny Cruz – MIF, 19 YO
2025 MiLB Stats (Rk): .270 AVG | .314 OBP | .431 SLG | 2 HR | 10 SBs | 18.5% K% | 5.3% BB%
Another prospect with a high ceiling who has the potential to thrive with a better player development system. Cruz is a power-over-hit prospect with plus speed, and has showcased decent bat-to-ball skills with a .270 average and only an 18.5% strikeout rate. The Nationals have struggled with high-ceiling prospects, and Cruz has the potential to be a cornerstone piece with the proper development. Five tools get thrown around way too often, but from a physical standpoint, Cruz possesses four, and the hit tool just needs to be maximized.
14) Miguel Slime Jr. – RHP, 18 YO
2025 MiLB Stats: Did not Pitch
Another 2025 draftee with huge potential. Slime already possesses an elite fastball at 18 years old and has flashed triple digits. The pitch can play up in the zone, and he also has the ability to sink it. Combine that with a power curveball, and he already features two advanced pitches. Refining the command and a third offering will determine whether Slime Jr. has high-end reliever potential or the ability to start.
15) Sean Paul Linan – RHP, 21 YO
2025 MiLB Stats (A/A+/AAA): 77.1 IP | 3.03 ERA | 33.0% K% | 10.3% BB%
Linan is the opposite of the majority of Nationals prospects. He isn’t a massive frame with a power fastball and one solid offspeed pitch with below-average strike-throwing ability. He thrives based on a plus changeup being his best offering, and pairing that with an average fastball, slider, and command. That combination means he’s much more likely to be a starter than the others, but it limits his potential impact.
The Next Five
Although these prospects do not crack the Top 15, dynasty managers should keep their eyes on these five players.
Orelvis Martinez – 24 YO Skyrocketed through the Blue Jays system, but had a horrible 2025 season. Potential buy low in deeper leagues.
Yohandy Morales – 24 YO CIF types have more value in fantasy than real life. Morales can hit and could be a CIF mainstay.
Christian Franklin – 26 YO Solid player, who has put together multiple solid MiLB seasons.
Daniel Hernandez – 17 YO Super young and talented C prospect.
Angel Feliz – 19 YO Hit over power MIF prospect who needs more muscle mass. Athleticism is present, but needs refinement.
Featured Image by Justin Redler (@reldernitsuj on Bsky/Twitter)
