WASHINGTON -- After a few years of being in consistent contention, it's usually unsurprising for a team's farm system to suffer some setbacks. After all, when a team is making the playoffs consistently, they're getting lower Draft picks and sometimes they have traded their valued prospect for chances to win now.
• MLB Pipeline's 2018 Top 100 Prospects list
:: Complete 2018 Top Prospects coverage ::
Even as the Nationals' farm system has endured those prices that come with a consistent winner, it has still managed to remain solid. Washington has three players on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 prospects list, which was revealed Saturday night on MLB Network. Stud outfielder Victor Robles is their highest rated prospect at No. 6, followed by outfielder Juan Soto at No. 29 and shortstop Carter Kieboom at No. 90.
The annual ranking of MLB's Top 100 prospects is assembled by MLB Pipeline Draft and prospect experts Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Mike Rosenbaum, who compile input from industry sources, including scouts and scouting directors. It is based on analysis of players' skill sets, upsides, proximity to the Majors and potential immediate impact to their teams. Only players with rookie status entering the 2018 season are eligible for the list. Players who were at least 25 years old when they signed and played in leagues deemed to be professional (Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Cuba) are not eligible.
The Nationals have accumulated 178 prospect points, which shows how teams rank in terms of their representation on the Top 100 list. For example, the No. 1 prospect is assigned a score of 100, 99 for No. 2 and so on. That ranks Washington 15th in baseball, a solid place for a team in constant contention. 

Robles, 20, has been one of the most sought after players during trade talks the past few years. After making his Major League debut in September, he is knocking on the door to becoming a full-time player in Washington in the near future.
Despite his injury troubles the past few seasons, Soto continues to climb these prospect lists. He profiles as a complete and impact hitter even at only 19 years old.
Kieboom, the team's first-round selection in 2016, makes his debut on this list. The 20-year-old is off to a strong start in his career at the plate and is developing in the field.

"We have a really good crop of prospects," general manager Mike Rizzo said. "I think the industry sees our prospects much better than some of the publications do. We've gotten hit on a lot of guys and a lot of guys that aren't the common names that you hear. We're well positioned as far as our Minor League system.
"We continue to prepare ourselves for that next wave of good players coming, We've seen an influx, year-by-year of guys that have come from our system, and I see that continuing in the future."