Nationals Prospect Reports / Minor League System Rankings 2020

[imref]

Split from 2019 - thanks JCA!

https://www.mlb.com/news/nationals-farm-system-analysis

latest update:

Top Five:

1) Carter Kieboom, SS/2B (No. 20 on the Top 100)
2) Luis Garcia, INF (No. 91 on the Top 100)
3) Jackson Rutledge, RHP
4) Wil Crowe, RHP
5) Mason Denaburg, RHP

[Slateman]

Was there ever an update on Denaburg's injury?

[imref]

Was there ever an update on Denaburg's injury?

had minor shoulder surgery after the season, should be ready for the start of 2020, per the link I posted above.

[Elvir Ovcina]

had minor shoulder surgery after the season, should be ready for the start of 2020, per the link I posted above.

No such thing for a pitcher.

[imref]

https://www.milb.com/milb/news/carter-kieboom-tim-cate-form-next-wave-for-washington-nationals/c-312260862

added most of the guys mentioned in this article to "follow the prospects"

Fangraphs posted an updated list of our top 21 prospects on December 19:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/top-21-prospects-washington-nationals/

Ranking / Name / Age / Highest Level / Position / ETA / Future Value

1   Carter Kieboom   22.3   MLB   SS   2020   60
2   Luis Garcia   19.6   AA   2B   2021   50
3   Jackson Rutledge   20.7   A   RHP   2022   45
4   Wil Crowe   25.3   AAA   RHP   2020   45
5   Mason Denaburg   20.4   R   RHP   2023   45
6   Andry Lara   17.0   R   RHP   2025   40+
7   Eddy Yean   18.5   A-   RHP   2022   40+
8   Matt Cronin   22.2   A   LHP   2022   40+
9   Tim Cate   22.2   A+   LHP   2021   40
10   Seth Romero   23.7   A   LHP   2021   40
11   Drew Mendoza   22.2   A   1B   2023   40
12   Yasel Antuna   20.1   A   3B   2021   40
13   Jeremy De La Rosa   17.9   R   RF   2024   40
14   Israel Pineda   19.7   A   C   2022   40
15   Joan Adon   21.4   A   RHP   2022   40
16   Roismar Quintana   16.9   R   RF   2023   35+
17   Jackson Cluff   23.0   A   SS   2022   35+
18   Raudy Read   26.1   MLB   C   2020   35+
19   James Bourque   26.4   MLB   RHP   2020   35+
20   Tyler Dyson   22.0   A-   RHP   2023   35+
21   Reid Schaller   22.7   A   RHP   2021   35+

[JCA-CrystalCity]

https://www.milb.com/milb/news/carter-kieboom-tim-cate-form-next-wave-for-washington-nationals/c-312260862

added most of the guys mentioned in this article to "follow the prospects"

Fangraphs posted an updated list of our top 21 prospects on December 19:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/top-21-prospects-washington-nationals/

Ranking / Name / Age / Highest Level / Position / ETA / Future Value

1   Carter Kieboom   22.3   MLB   SS   2020   60
2   Luis Garcia   19.6   AA   2B   2021   50
3   Jackson Rutledge   20.7   A   RHP   2022   45
4   Wil Crowe   25.3   AAA   RHP   2020   45
5   Mason Denaburg   20.4   R   RHP   2023   45
6   Andry Lara   17.0   R   RHP   2025   40+
7   Eddy Yean   18.5   A-   RHP   2022   40+
8   Matt Cronin   22.2   A   LHP   2022   40+
9   Tim Cate   22.2   A+   LHP   2021   40
10   Seth Romero   23.7   A   LHP   2021   40
11   Drew Mendoza   22.2   A   1B   2023   40
12   Yasel Antuna   20.1   A   3B   2021   40
13   Jeremy De La Rosa   17.9   R   RF   2024   40
14   Israel Pineda   19.7   A   C   2022   40
15   Joan Adon   21.4   A   RHP   2022   40
16   Roismar Quintana   16.9   R   RF   2023   35+
17   Jackson Cluff   23.0   A   SS   2022   35+
18   Raudy Read   26.1   MLB   C   2020   35+
19   James Bourque   26.4   MLB   RHP   2020   35+
20   Tyler Dyson   22.0   A-   RHP   2023   35+
21   Reid Schaller   22.7   A   RHP   2021   35+

so, they predict call ups for Read, Bourque, Kieboom, and Crowe. Garcia a year away.  Stevenson not listed because he is not longer rookie eligible and thus no longer considered a "prospect" by their definition.  Tres Barrera not in the top 21 (which seems to have all the 35+ future value guys).

[UMDNats]

Our system clearly stinks, but I think we have a number of future pros, which is nice. Guys like Crowe, Bourque, Read, Cronin, etc. seem like (at worst) guys who can stick on a roster, Kieboom has star potential but a decent floor and there's also a non-zero chance we get Sterling Sharp back. Just have to hope he doesn't get hurt and DL'ed for the year. Kinda hoping he bombs in ST and doesn't stick on a roster.

[RD]

Our system clearly stinks, but I think we have a number of future pros, which is nice. Guys like Crowe, Bourque, Read, Cronin, etc. seem like (at worst) guys who can stick on a roster, Kieboom has star potential but a decent floor and there's also a non-zero chance we get Sterling Sharp back. Just have to hope he doesn't get hurt and DL'ed for the year. Kinda hoping he bombs in ST and doesn't stick on a roster.

System is definitely top heavy. There are a couple names though that could be difference makers come this time next year. Romero, Antuna, and Denaburg have been held back by injuries but have top 100 potential. Intrigued by Antuna. He was the highest paid signee the year we got Garcia. Missed all year because of TJ but looks like he should be ready to go this year.

The depth in the system could look a lot better by the end of the hear.

[rileyn]

Seth Romero.  That was a bad pick.

[Slateman]

Seth Romero.  That was a bad pick.

A LHP that can hit 97 is never a bad pick

[imref]

We're #30!!!

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2869433-updated-farm-system-rankings-for-every-mlb-team-at-the-start-of-2020#slide1

[RD]

We're #30!!!

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2869433-updated-farm-system-rankings-for-every-mlb-team-at-the-start-of-2020#slide1

While there is no debating were a bottom third, probably bottom 1/6, the system is better than the 4 listed directly after them. Two top tier guys carry value, but they seem to underrate Rutledge. Hes got a lot to prove, but his stuff and draft pedigree should have him in the 2nd tier.

[rileyn]

A LHP that can hit 97 is never a bad pick

Headcase.  Bad pick.  Injuries are just the cherry on top.

[imref]

https://www.masnsports.com/nationals-pastime/2020/01/top-prospect-lists-still-lacking-nationals-pitchers.html

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Kieboom #21 on mlb pipeline, Garcia also in top 100, I think at 97.

[Elvir Ovcina]

While there is no debating were a bottom third, probably bottom 1/6, the system is better than the 4 listed directly after them. Two top tier guys carry value, but they seem to underrate Rutledge. Hes got a lot to prove, but his stuff and draft pedigree should have him in the 2nd tier.

Maybe, but beyond him there's basically nothing.  Yasel Antuna missed all of last season and didn't hit in the Sally before that.  Unless he's totally rebuilt his swing, his physical size is irrelevant because he slaps with his arms.  If your #7 prospect is a dude who's never been above low-A, whose ceiling is Wilmer Difo and he's iffy staying at SS, you're not in a good place.  Yes, he's only 20, but that's not "projectable," it's just a straight up project.

[HalfSmokes]

Kieboom #21 on mlb pipeline, Garcia also in top 100, I think at 97.

Everything being equal, you’d expect one in the top 30, two in the top 60 and three in the top 90. Having one near the back of the top 30 and one near 100 is not good. Then again, the nats aren’t at a point in the the cycles where you’d expect them to have a great farm

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Everything being equal, you’d expect one in the top 30, two in the top 60 and three in the top 90. Having one near the back of the top 30 and one near 100 is not good. Then again, the nats aren’t at a point in the the cycles where you’d expect them to have a great farm

The MLB.com article mentioned that they have had at least 2 in the top 100 for 9 straight years. and have had one in the top 25 for 6 straight years.   Considering they've never been in the straight tank to rebuild mode, and that they've been willing pretty much along the way to trade prospects for help, that's still pretty good. 

[HalfSmokes]

The MLB.com article mentioned that they have had at least 2 in the top 100 for 9 straight years. and have had one in the top 25 for 6 straight years.   Considering they've never been in the straight tank to rebuild mode, and that they've been willing pretty much along the way to trade prospects for help, that's still pretty good. 

Without knowing how unusual that is, who knows

[RD]

Maybe, but beyond him there's basically nothing.  Yasel Antuna missed all of last season and didn't hit in the Sally before that.  Unless he's totally rebuilt his swing, his physical size is irrelevant because he slaps with his arms.  If your #7 prospect is a dude who's never been above low-A, whose ceiling is Wilmer Difo and he's iffy staying at SS, you're not in a good place.  Yes, he's only 20, but that's not "projectable," it's just a straight up project.

I'm clearly not trying to argue we have a great system. In regards to the rankings with other teams at the low end, look at the Sox. They have 2 Sox arms in tier 2, with Rutledge in tier 3. Rutledge has as much raw stuff as pretty much anyone in the minors and he had a solid stint to start his career. Guys like Mata and Song(who cant 3even play for 2 more years) are not a tier above Rutledge based on their own criteria. We have 2 top 100, plus Rutledge matching their 3 and 4 guys. They only have 1 top 100.

As far as someone like Altuna, there is still plenty of projection for a 20 year old left. Especially one who missed a year due to injury. He will be 20 all year next year. That's younger than just about every college draftee in June, and only 18 months older than many top.high school talents. Dont let fast risers like Soto  and Acuna(or even Robles or Garcia) skew what's normal. I'm not saying Antuna should be ranked at any specific area or anything. I just dont think him being 20 means hes at the end of the road. Hes got a lot of development left and still possesses big upside. Hes raw,unproven, and not someone you can count on either. But hes still young and very talented. I'd rather have guys with huge upside at the back end of our top 10 and into the teens than a Difo type. Guys like Antuna, Denaburg, Romero, and even Yean and Lara have big time talent. A lot of teams have similar talents. I'm not saying we stand out in that regard. I just dont think we have the worst system in baseball.

[GNatsNoMore]

On the Nationals preview on MLB Tonight from their Spring Training complex, Jonathan Mayo of MLBpipeline.com stated that Rutledge has "unbelievable, front of the rotation stuff".  He said that his stuff is "even better than last year, and that he should move quickly though the system.  He didn't make an ETA prediction. 

[Slateman]

On the Nationals preview on MLB Tonight from their Spring Training complex, Jonathan Mayo of MLBpipeline.com stated that Rutledge has "unbelievable, front of the rotation stuff".  He said that his stuff is "even better than last year, and that he should move quickly though the system.  He didn't make an ETA prediction. 

TNSTAAPP

[zimm_da_kid]

On the Nationals preview on MLB Tonight from their Spring Training complex, Jonathan Mayo of MLBpipeline.com stated that Rutledge has "unbelievable, front of the rotation stuff".  He said that his stuff is "even better than last year, and that he should move quickly though the system.  He didn't make an ETA prediction. 

hopefully the Alex Meyer that pans out

[Natsinpwc]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/05/can-the-nats-farm-produce-more-stars.html

[zimm_da_kid]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/05/can-the-nats-farm-produce-more-stars.html

Answer: yes