Nationals Prospect Reports / Minor League Rankings: 2026

[imref]

New MLB top-100 has Willits (15), Sykora (49), and Susana (87).

https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/top100

FWIW, Ethan Holliday is 19, Kade Anderson is 23.

[Slateman]

Our only top 100 prospects will likely not be in the major leagues until the end of 2027, and not primary contributors until 2028 or 2029.

That's depressing.

[imref]

Our only top 100 prospects will likely not be in the major leagues until the end of 2027, and not primary contributors until 2028 or 2029.

That's depressing.

A year ago we had Crews (7), Wood (14), and House (48) in the top-100. Graduating all 3 didn't help much this past year.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Our only top 100 prospects will likely not be in the major leagues until the end of 2027, and not primary contributors until 2028 or 2029.

That's depressing.

I could see Susana before that even if he misses the start of 2026. I'm also interested in Petry and how he does in the AFL. Maybe a Mark Trumbo type with more of a willingness to walk.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2025-end-of-season-top-100-prospects-update/

The updated post-season "100"

Susana 23 , Willits 27, Sykora 94. Longenhagen drops injured guys to the bottom of the guys with the same fv, so Sykora is at the bottom of the 50s, and Susana is the bottom of the 55s

Willits is in a 6 pack of players who profile as everyday middle infielders. Longenhagen is very complementary about an AZ prospect Josuar Gonzalez, who he says is "in lockstep with" Willits. He praises josuar athleticism and range then compares him to Lindor in terms of build.

[Slateman]

I could see Susana before that even if he misses the start of 2026. I'm also interested in Petry and how he does in the AFL. Maybe a Mark Trumbo type with more of a willingness to walk.

Im just assuming he blows his elbow out next season.

My point is, there's no impact players coming for a while. What's on the team is it for 2-4 years.

[Slateman]

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2025-end-of-season-top-100-prospects-update/

The updated post-season "100"

Susana 23 , Willits 27, Sykora 94. Longenhagen drops injured guys to the bottom of the guys with the same fv, so Sykora is at the bottom of the 50s, and Susana is the bottom of the 55s

Willits is in a 6 pack of players who profile as everyday middle infielders. Longenhagen is very complementary about an AZ prospect Josuar Gonzalez, who he says is "in lockstep with" Willits. He praises josuar athleticism and range then compares him to Lindor in terms of build.

I still vehemently disagree with his assessment of Sykora. He has a higher ceiling and floor than Susana

[zimm_da_kid]

I still vehemently disagree with his assessment of Sykora. He has a higher ceiling and floor than Susana

I agree. His control is light years ahead based off walk totals. Maybe he doesn’t locate in the zone as well as I imagine/hope.

He’s got good velo but not bang up fastball grades. Maybe it’s got bad shape?

[imref]

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2026-washington-nationals-top-mlb-prospects/

Willits #1 of course. Jake Bennett rises to #6.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2026-washington-nationals-top-mlb-prospects/

Willits #1 of course. Jake Bennett rises to #6.

so, they project both House and Abrams moving to the right side, Dickerson landing in left (Wood DH), and King at 3rd.

They rate Pinckney's skills pretty highly (best power, fastest runner, best OF arm) but don't see him landing a spot as a regular. 6 current Nats, including Ruiz, still being regulars in 2029 suggests there aren't a lot of position prospects on the way (just King, Willits, and Dickerson).

[imref]

kinda depressing:

[JCA-CrystalCity]

these guys lean pretty heavily into Susana and Clemmey are just relievers due to their wildness. Sykora's injury heavily discounts him. Most exciting guys (James, Harmoon, and Siome (who is outside the top 10) are many years away. Position guys either hit without power or have power but don't make contact enough.

[imref]

these guys lean pretty heavily into Susana and Clemmey are just relievers due to their wildness. Sykora's injury heavily discounts him. Most exciting guys (James, Harmoon, and Siome (who is outside the top 10) are many years away. Position guys either hit without power or have power but don't make contact enough.

They do kind of gloss over the fact that we promoted a lot of our top-10 guys in the last two years (Crews, Wood, Cavalli, Lile, House). Herz was borderline top-10 on a few lists.