The next Miz? Nats' No. 4 prospect lightning up the radar gun in AFL

Last week, I covered the National League Division Series between the Brewers and Padres, which meant witnessing firsthand Jacob Misiorowski repeatedly hit 100-plus on the radar gun. In fact, Miz set a record for the fastest pitch thrown in the postseason -- a cool 104.8 mph.

As I watched the triple-digit velocities accumulate, I thought of the Nationals' flame-throwing right-hander Jarlin Susana.

Susana, ranked as the Nationals’ No. 4 prospect and No. 66 overall in MLB, reached Triple-A Rochester this season and is currently pitching in the Arizona Fall League. MLB Pipeline projects him to debut next season.

After sustaining a Grade 1 UCL sprain last year, the 22-year-old Susana returned to the mound on Aug. 11. Between High-A Wilmington, Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A, Susana threw 20 1/3 innings. His first AFL is an opportunity to increase his workload.

In the Salt River Rafters’ opener earlier this month, Susana threw a 103.8 mph four-seamer and set the record for the fastest pitch thrown in the AFL (since 2015).

After sustaining a Grade 1 UCL sprain last year, the 22-year-old Susana returned to the mound on Aug. 11. Between High-A Wilmington, Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A, Susana threw 20 1/3 innings. His first AFL is an opportunity to increase his workload.

In the Salt River Rafters’ opener earlier this month, Susana threw a 103.8 mph four-seamer and set the record for the fastest pitch thrown in the AFL (since 2015).

Nationals president of baseball operations Paul Toboni recently recounted an interaction between Susana and rehab coordinator Dan Mahoney while Susana was rehabbing at the Nats' training facility in Florida. Mahoney tasked Susana with throwing between 97 and 99 mph “as you get loose.”

Susana clocked 100-plus.

Toboni said Mahoney reinforced the message: “Jarlin, I’m telling you, you have to have it closer to 97. We don't want to ramp it up this quickly.”

Susana agreed. Then he threw triple digits again.

“[Susana] just turned to him and he's like, ‘I'm trying. I'm trying,’” Toboni said. “So, he's just a unique bird in that respect.”

Susana has been a hurler since the Nationals acquired him from the Padres in the 2022 Juan Soto deal. Listed at 6-foot-6, 235 pounds, he is a towering presence on the mound.

“I don't really know how to put it outside of saying, if I walked into a [Washington] Commanders practice -- which I actually did a couple weeks ago -- and he was in pads with the line, I'd be like, ‘Yeah, that guy looks like a stud NFL player,’” Toboni said.

Susana was promoted from the Senators to the Red Wings on Sept. 15. Although he only threw 2 2/3 innings, the sample size offered a glimpse into his potential at higher levels.

Susana averaged 99.9 mph on the 39 fastballs he threw with Rochester. He recorded the highest average velocity of all Triple-A pitchers who threw as many as he did. With a 102.6 fastball on Sept. 18, only 13 other pitchers in Triple-A threw a pitch faster than Susana all season.

With this velo comes a need for control. Susana has a Minor League career 4.8 walk rate, compared to a 13.0 strikeout rate. In his first two AFL games this year, he has pitched to a 1.59 ERA, a 3.2 walk rate and a 12.7 strikeout rate in 5 2/3 innings.

“I think he's got some physical traits that not many in the world have,” said Toboni. “Now, I think it just becomes about how well could he fill up the zone. And I think there are adjustments to his mix that when he is fully mature from a pitching standpoint, it's just going to look a little bit different. And so, I think a lot of the conversation comes about how quickly should we try to inject some of this stuff.

“Because he's already really good, but what's exciting is, I think he's got a lot of room to grow.”