With the Minor League season kicking off, here's where the Nationals’ Top 30 Prospects are projected to start:
- Eli Willits (MLB No. 11), SS -- Fredericksburg (Single-A)
- Travis Sykora (MLB No. 52), RHP -- Injured (Tommy John rehab)
- Harry Ford (MLB No. 68), C -- Rochester (Triple-A)
- Jarlin Susana (MLB No. 77), RHP -- Injured (lat surgery)
- Gavin Fien, INF -- Fredericksburg (Single-A)
- Luis Perales, RHP -- Rochester (Triple-A)
- Seaver King, SS -- Harrisburg (Double-A)
- Luke Dickerson, SS/2B -- Fredericksburg (Single-A)
- Devin Fitz-Gerald, INF -- Wilmington (High-A)
- Landon Harmon, RHP -- Fredericksburg (Single-A)
- Alex Clemmey, LHP -- Harrisburg (Double-A)
- Ethan Petry, OF/1B -- Wilmington (High-A)
- Yoel Tejeda Jr., RHP -- Wilmington (High-A)
- Jackson Kent, LHP -- Extended spring training
- Alejandro Rosario, RHP -- Injured (elbow)
- Miguel Sime Jr., RHP -- Fredericksburg (Single-A)
- Coy James, SS -- Fredericksburg (Single-A)
- Christian Franklin, OF -- Rochester (Triple-A)
- Andrew Pinckney, OF -- Rochester (Triple-A)
- Yeremy Cabrera, OF -- Fredericksburg (Single-A)
- Marconi German, 2B/SS -- Extended spring training
- Sam Petersen, OF -- Harrisburg (Double-A)
- Angel Feliz, SS/2B -- Wilmington (High-A)
- Abimelec Ortiz, 1B/OF -- Rochester (Triple-A)
- Ronny Cruz, SS -- Fredericksburg (Single-A)
- Eriq Swan, RHP -- Harrisburg (Double-A)
- Caleb Lomavita, C -- Harrisburg (Double-A)
- Yohandy Morales, 1B/3B -- Rochester (Triple-A)
- Nauris De La Cruz, OF -- Extended spring training
- Samil Serrano, OF -- Extended spring training (Dominican Republic)
COMPLETE NATIONALS PROSPECT COVERAGE
Team to watch
How Washington was going to sort its many, many low-level infield options was a story of the spring on the Florida backfields, but 2025 No. 1 overall pick Eli Willits was always going to be the big name headed to Single-A Fredericksburg. He’s joined on the dirt by fellow first-rounder Gavin Fien -- acquired from the Rangers in the MacKenzie Gore trade in January -- as well as Luke Dickerson, Coy James and spring standout Ronny Cruz. Miguel Sime Jr.’s triple-digit velocity should also bring plenty of intrigue to the Single-A club in his first full season.
Players we could see in MLB in 2026
Harry Ford might have lost out on a Major League job in his first Spring Training in the organization in order to get everyday at-bats with Rochester, but he still has the potential to play a key role behind the plate for Washington in his age-23 season. Luis Perales – another offseason pickup from the Red Sox in a straight swap for lefty Jake Bennett – has some of the most explosive stuff in the system, with a triple-digit fastball and sharp cutter. He’s yet to throw more than 90 innings in a Minor League season and underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024, so the Nats will have to monitor his workload. But there’s no denying the arsenal is MLB quality. Christian Franklin and Andrew Pinckney could push to be a part of Washington’s already crowded outfield group, and Abimelec Ortiz has the power in his profile to muscle his way into MLB looks at first base.
New faces
The Nationals’ new front office was busy adding prospects this offseason, including seven that featured in the Top 30 and five that came in the Gore trade. Among those not mentioned among MLB options above, Fien brings the most interest as he heads to Single-A. Last year’s 12th overall pick already flashed his offensive potential with three hits (including two doubles) and five RBIs in the Spring Breakout game last month. He’s listed as an infielder/outfielder on the Fredericksburg roster, and he might get most of his looks on the dirt at third base in deference to Willits at short. His fellow former Rangers prospect Devin Fitz-Gerald has maybe the most intriguing assignment of anyone here. He moves up to High-A after playing only 10 games at Single-A last year in the Texas system. The 2024 fifth-rounder could be an above-average hitter in time, and with infield playing time at a premium with the FredNats, the Nationals decided Fitz-Gerald was worth challenging in Wilmington as they search for defensive balance.
On the shelf
The club’s top two pitching prospects in Travis Sykora and Jarlin Susana are both coming off major surgeries that will keep them away from the mound to begin 2026. Sykora underwent his Tommy John procedure late enough last year that he might not appear in an official game at all this season. Speaking of TJ, Alejandro Rosario -- the only pitcher acquired from Texas in the Gore deal -- underwent his own elbow procedure this offseason after changing organizations. He last pitched in a Minor League game on Aug. 29, 2024, but he won’t be back on the bump until 2027.
How to watch
Fans can watch Minor League Baseball games for free on the Bally Sports Live app or at BallySports.com. Fans may also purchase an MLB+ subscription, which includes access to MiLB games live and on demand, in addition to live MLB audio for all 30 teams, MLB Network and MLB Big Inning. Plus -- with or without a subscription -- Minor League games featuring MLB's top prospects are available in the MiLB Free Game of the Day.