The MLB offseason may be in full swing, but things have been all but quiet in Washington. Winter acquisitions under new President of Baseball Operations, Paul Toboni, have boosted the Nationals’ farm system stock.
Recent MLB farm rankings by both ESPN and the Athletic slot Washington in their top 15. The Nats have four prospects appearing across multiple MLB Top 100 lists from outlets like ESPN and MLB Pipeline: Eli Willits, Travis Sykora, Jarlin Susana, and Harry Ford, all scattered throughout these rankings.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSS Eli Willits
What was once a controversial first overall pick is slowly emerging as a successful gamble for Washington. Willits stands at 13th in the MLB.com prospect rankings, above both Kade Anderson and Ethan Holliday, who sit at 21st and 24th, respectively. He has compiled a .300/.397/.360 slashing line across 50 at-bats in 2025 with Single-A Fredericksburg. The youngest first overall pick of all time just celebrated his 18th birthday in December. As a dual-threat switch hitter, Willits has showcased impressive plate discipline and athletic defensive ability during his young career.
RHP Travis Sykora
Coming in at 54th on the MLB.com prospects list is RHP Travis Sykora, drafted by Washington in the third round of the 2023 draft. Sykora came from Round Rock High School, TX, where he regularly sat in the triple-digits with his pitches. Now climbing the Nats’ minor league ladder, Sykora showed immaculate control on the mound. Sykora lowered his ERA to just 1.79 in 2025 before tearing his UCL in July. Sykora is projected to miss all of the 2026 season post Tommy John surgery, but managed to debut with Double-A Harrisburg before the blow. Strong recovery permitting, Sykora has full opportunity to become Washington’s next go-to arm, especially with the loss of MacKenzie Gore.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementC Harry Ford
One of Washington’s many off-season acquisitions includes catcher Harry Ford, gifted by the Seattle Mariners in a trade for relief pitcher Jose A. Ferrer in December. Ford was the #4 prospect in the Mariners organization, and ranks 71st in all MLB prospects. The trade made sense on both sides: Seattle wanting to add pieces to a mid-tier bullpen, and Washington in the market for a new everyday catcher. Ford compiled a .167 average throughout eight games with the Mariners in 2025, but realistically would never have been able to break through behind superstar Cal Raleigh. Ford spent most of the 2025 season with the Mariners’ Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, slashing .283/.408/.460 in 97 games. Many are projecting he could crack the Nats’ opening day roster, taking the starting catcher job from Keibert Ruiz.
RHP Jarlin Susana
MLB.com slots RHP Jarlin Susana at 80th on the top 100 list. One of the key pieces of the 2022 Juan Soto trade, Susana has been quietly dominating throughout the Nationals’ farm system. Susana welds a wide pitch arsenal and impressive velocity, though command is often considered his main kryptonite. He posted a 3.51 ERA in 56.1 innings in 2025, before suffering a lat tear in late August. Susana made it to Double-A Harrisburg before his injury. Eager predictions say that he could skim the big league rotation in 2026, depending on his healing timeline.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementGore Trade
Let’s be real: it’s tough letting MacKenzie Gore go. What was one of the main upsides of a rough past few seasons has turned into a pawn for yet another rebuild in Washington. But the return package from the Rangers has a very high chance of paying out in the next few years. The Nationals received five prospects for Gore, led by Texas’ first round pick in the 2025 draft, Gavin Fien. Fien, a shortstop out of Great Oak High School in Temecula, CA, went 12th overall in the latest MLB draft. A versatile infielder, Fien could develop into a well-rounded utility player with a reliable bat in Single-A Fredericksburg this season.
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