Washington Nationals Farm System: The Nationals’ farm system blends high-upside tools with physical projection and emerging role clarity, anchored by premium arms and athletic hitters. While not overflowing with elite fantasy assets, it offers depth, developmental momentum, and several breakout candidates worth tracking in Dynasty formats.
Summary
The Nationals’ farm system is quietly gaining traction, blending high-upside tools with polish and projection. At the top, Travis Sykora and Jarlin Susana offer frontline velocity and swing-and-miss potential, while hitters like Luke Dickerson, Coy James, and No. 1 overall pick Eli Willits bring athleticism, OBP skills, and foundational traits that could translate into everyday fantasy value. Willits, in particular, offers speed, contact, and defensive versatility—though his fantasy ceiling hinges on power development. The organization has leaned into bat speed, leverage, and zone control, building a system with long-term upside.
Pitching depth runs deeper than it first appears. Landon Harmon, Josh Randall, and Jackson Kent show starter traits, while reliever-leaning profiles like Sean Linan, R.J. Sales, and Eriq Swan offer swing-and-miss stuff in short bursts. The Nationals favor East-West arms with deception and control, and several could pop if velocity or pitch mix improves.
Overall, this is a system in transition, with a strong foundation of athleticism, projection, and role flexibility. It’s not yet overflowing with elite fantasy assets, but the building blocks are in place. If the Nationals can convert raw traits into impact production, several of these players could emerge as everyday contributors with multi-category relevance. For Dynasty managers, it’s a system worth tracking closely—especially as the younger international class begins to climb.
AI-Assisted Fantasy Tiers: Methodology and Observations
AI has made significant strides in all aspects of our lives. Over the past four years, I have compiled 500,000 words of personal scouting narratives, which have formed the foundation for training my own AI assistant. This assistant now evaluates prospects and assigns fantasy tiers exclusively based on the insights and observations contained in my write-ups.
After requesting that my AI assistant generate fantasy tiers using this year’s reports, I found that the AI’s rankings generally align with my own assessments. However, there are some cases where the AI’s evaluations differ from my personal rankings. I am sharing those differences here for your consideration.
🥇 Tier 1: Fantasy Impact Targets
- Travis Sykora – Splitter-led arsenal, frontline upside if health cooperates
- Luke Dickerson – 70-grade speed, emerging power, advanced feel for hitting
- Jarlin Susana – Elite velocity, RP floor, SP ceiling if command clicks
🥈 Tier 2: Everyday-Upside Targets
- Eli Willits – Speed/OBP shortstop, needs power to unlock fantasy value
- Coy James – Compact swing, power projection, corner bat with pedigree
- Landon Harmon – Velo, spin, projection; Sykora-lite with long runway
- Yoyo Morales – 25-HR upside, trending OBP bat, swing still maturing
- Ethan Petry – Above-average raw power, OBP skills, swing-and-miss risk
🥉 Tier 3: Outside of the Impact/Everyday Targets
To see the reset of the tiers, become a Patreon subscriber at Patreon.com/prospect361.
2026 Player Profiles
1. Travis Sykora (RHP)
- Highest Level: High-A ETA: 2027 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 30 SP
- Last Updated: 11/21/2025
- Tools Summary: Splitter-led arsenal, frontline upside if health cooperates.
Drafted 71st overall in 2023, Travis Sykora entered pro ball as a 6-foot-6 flamethrower with elite arm strength and rare athleticism for his size. Over his first two seasons, he was dominant—flashing swing-and-miss stuff and better control than typically seen from pitchers with his frame. He opened 2025 late due to hip surgery but showed no lingering effects, sitting 94–96 and reaching the upper 90s. His splitter is a true 70-grade weapon, generating consistent whiffs, while the slider—once loose—looked tighter and more consistent in 2025.
Sykora looked like he was on a fast track, drawing lofty comps and flashing frontline traits. Unfortunately, he suffered an elbow injury in July and underwent Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for all of 2026. It’s not a death blow, but it’s a meaningful setback for a pitcher whose value was tied to proximity and momentum. The Nationals will likely take a cautious rehab approach, with a return to game action in 2027.
Fantasy managers should treat Sykora as a long-term stash with high-end upside. The splitter alone gives him a path to dominance, and if the slider continues to sharpen post-rehab, he could still emerge as a mid-rotation anchor or better. The risk profile has shifted, but the ceiling remains intact. Patience required.
2. Eli Willits (SS, #1)
- Highest Level: Low-A ETA: 2028 Fantasy Ceiling: Middle Infielder
- Last Updated: 11/21/2025
- Tools Summary: Speed/OBP shortstop, needs power to unlock fantasy value.
Selected first overall in the 2025 Draft, Eli Willits signed for nearly $3 million underslot—a strategic move that allowed the Nationals to secure several high-upside prep players later in the draft. The son of former Angels outfielder Reggie Willits, Eli shares his father’s speed, athleticism, and contact skills, but plays shortstop and projects as a strong defender. He debuted with 15 games in Low-A, slashing .300/.397/.360 with solid plate discipline but limited impact.
Willits isn’t expected to develop much power, and in today’s game, that makes him a tough fit as a top-of-the-order bat. Teams increasingly want complete hitters in those spots, so unless he adds strength, he may settle into the bottom third of a lineup. That said, his real-world value remains high thanks to defensive ability and instincts, and the Nationals are likely to give him every chance to grow into more offensive consistency.
Fantasy managers should treat Willits as a contact/speed asset with limited ceiling unless the power ticks up. He’s a real-world piece with fantasy limitations, but if the body matures and he starts driving the ball, the profile could shift. For now, he’s a watchlist name in deeper formats, especially those that reward speed and OBP.
3. Jarlin Susana (RHP)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2026-27 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 40 SP or Closer
- Last Updated: 11/21/2025
- Tools Summary: Elite velocity, RP floor, SP ceiling if command clicks.
Acquired from the Padres in 2022, Jarlin Susana boasts elite arm strength and a fastball that’s reportedly touched 102 MPH. His curveball has taken a step forward, rounding out what looks like a top-of-the-rotation arsenal on paper. Operating from a lower three-quarters slot, Susana gives left-handed hitters a long look and struggles with consistent control. He missed over two months in 2025 with a UCL sprain but returned in mid-July and looked sharp, sitting comfortably in the upper 90s.
The curveball now flashes above-average, and the splitter has shown flashes, but command remains fringy—hovering around a 40-grade. The delivery is athletic but inconsistent, and platoon splits remain a concern. If it all clicks, Susana could be a force—something like a right-handed Chris Sale. But the more realistic path might be a high-octane relief role unless the command and sequencing improve.
Fantasy managers should treat Susana as a volatile upside arm with elite traits and a wide range of outcomes. The fastball/curveball combo gives him swing-and-miss potential, and if the control sharpens, he could still emerge as a mid-rotation starter. For now, he’s a stash-and-monitor type with RP fallback value and SP ceiling if development breaks right.
4. Luke Dickerson (SS)
- Highest Level: Low-A ETA: 2027-28 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 15 SS
- Last Updated: 11/21/2025
- Tools Summary: 70-grade speed, emerging power, advanced feel for hitting.
Drafted in the second round in 2025 and signed for $3.8 million—well above slot—Luke Dickerson was a strategic overspend by the Nationals to secure a high-upside prep bat. He lasted just six games in the FCL before earning a promotion to the Carolina League, showing athleticism, bat speed, and a more advanced feel for hitting than expected. Dickerson controlled the strike zone, made consistent contact, and walked at a strong clip despite being one of the youngest players in the league.
The stat line wasn’t loud, but the context matters—he never looked overmatched and flashed traits that suggest long-term impact. He’s a 70-grade runner with emerging power, and the swing shows natural loft and adjustability. If the strength continues to come, Dickerson could grow into a dynamic top-of-the-order threat with multi-category upside. The Nationals are likely to give him a long developmental runway, and the early returns are promising.
Fantasy managers should treat Dickerson as a breakout candidate with speed, OBP, and power projection. He’s not a finished product, but the foundation is in place, and the athletic traits are loud. In deeper formats, he’s a strong stash with Top 100 upside if the bat continues to trend.
5. Coy James (SS, #142)
- Highest Level: DNP ETA: 2029 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 20 3B with extreme risk
- Last Updated: 11/21/2025
- Tools Summary: Compact swing, power projection, corner bat with pedigree.
Selected in the third round of the 2025 Draft and signed for nearly $2 million over slot, Coy James effectively received late first-round money. The top prep player out of North Carolina, James brings a well-rounded offensive profile with power projection and a compact, athletic build. His swing is geared for damage, and while he’s currently an average runner, speed likely won’t be a major part of his game as he fills out. Defensively, he has soft hands and good instincts at shortstop, but may ultimately slide to third base.
James fits the high-risk, high-reward mold—similar to Brady House when he entered pro ball. The upside is a middle-of-the-order corner infielder with 20+ homer potential and solid OBP traits. But if the bat doesn’t develop, he may stall out at Double-A. The Nationals are betting on pedigree, swing efficiency, and offensive growth, and early traits suggest he’s worth tracking closely.
Fantasy managers should treat James as a long-term upside play with power projection and positional flexibility. He’s not a finished product, but the bonus, pedigree, and swing traits make him a strong FYPD target in deeper formats. If the bat clicks, he could grow into a Top 150 asset with corner infield value.
6. Seaver King (SS)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2026-27 Fantasy Ceiling: Middle Infielder
- Last Updated: 11/21/2025
- Tools Summary: Athletic middle infielder, needs better approach to unlock ceiling.
Drafted 10th overall in 2024, Seaver King entered pro ball with loud tools and college production, and the Nationals pushed him aggressively through the system. He held his own in High-A but struggled in Double-A, where his ultra-aggressive approach was exposed. Over 125 games, King walked just 32 times—averaging barely one free pass per week—and posted a 52% groundball rate that limited his impact despite above-average bat speed.
King remains a plus runner with above-average power potential, but he’s currently overwhelmed and struggling to adjust. The swing is quick, and the athleticism is evident, but he’s not elevating the ball or controlling the zone. The Nationals will likely slow him down in 2026, focusing on approach refinement and swing decisions to unlock more consistent damage. The tools are still there, but the developmental path looks longer than expected.
Fantasy managers should treat King as a tools-first middle infielder with a wide range of outcomes. If the approach improves and he starts lifting the ball, he could grow into a 15–20 contributor with speed and pop. For now, he’s a deeper-league stash with real-world value and fantasy volatility.
7. Alex Clemmey (LHP)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2027 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 30 SP or Closer with extreme risk
- Last Updated: 11/21/2025
- Tools Summary: Wild lefty with power stuff, RP fallback likely.
Originally drafted by Cleveland in 2023, Alex Clemmey joined the Nationals via trade and fits their mold of high-upside, high-variance arms. A 6-foot-6 lefty with upper-90s velocity, a sharp curveball, and flashes of changeup feel, Clemmey checks every box physically. But the command remains a glaring issue—he posted a 5.6 BB/9 in 2025, showing little improvement from his 2024 struggles. He’s raw, erratic, and still learning how to sequence and repeat.
The Nationals have had success syncing mechanics and pitch usage with Jarlin Susana, and Clemmey could benefit from a similar blueprint. The delivery is athletic, and the arm speed is real—there’s a path to starter traits if the control stabilizes. More likely, he trends toward a high-leverage relief role, where the stuff can play up and the command can be masked. Either way, the upside is tantalizing, and the risk is baked in.
Fantasy managers should treat Clemmey as a long-term lottery ticket with elite traits and a wide range of outcomes. If the command clicks, he could be a mid-rotation lefty with strikeout juice. If not, he’s a potential closer with late-inning velocity and deception. The floor is non-roster, but the ceiling is worth chasing in deeper formats.
8. Yohandy Morales (3B/1B)
- Highest Level: Triple-A ETA: 2026 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 15 1B
- Last Updated: 11/21/2025
- Tools Summary: 25-HR upside, trending OBP bat, swing still maturing.
Standing 6-foot-4 with a chiseled frame and elite bat speed, Yoyo Morales boasts some of the best exit velocities in the Nationals system. After going homerless in 2023, he hit seven in an injury-shortened 2024 and followed that with 15 in 2025—showing encouraging power growth. The contact quality continues to trend upward, and while there’s some swing-and-miss baked in, the trajectory suggests 20–25 homer upside is well within reach.
Morales profiles as a power-hitting third baseman—or possibly a first baseman—depending on how the glove develops. He’s not a finished product, but the ingredients are in place for a middle-of-the-order bat with real thump. The OBP should sit about 70 points above his average, and if he continues to elevate and drive the ball, he could grow into a .240–.250 hitter with impact power.
Fantasy managers should treat Morales as a corner bat with 25-HR upside and a strong OBP foundation. He’s trending toward relevance in deeper formats, and if the swing decisions sharpen, he could push into Top 150 territory. The power is real, and the path to value is clear.
9. Brayan Cortesia (SS)
- Highest Level: DSL ETA: 2028-29 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 15 SS with extreme risk
- Last Updated: 11/21/2025
- Tools Summary: OBP/speed DSL breakout, lean frame with projection.
Signed for $1.9 million as the Nationals’ marquee international pickup in 2025, Bryan Cortesia made a strong first impression in the DSL, slashing .325/.441/.368 with 22 stolen bases. Though caught 13 times, he flashed 60-grade speed and instincts that should sharpen with experience. At 6-foot-1 and 165 pounds, Cortesia is lean and projectable, with a swing that already shows loft and balance. His 87.5 MPH average exit velocity suggests strength gains will be key to unlocking impact.
Cortesia posted a 16% walk rate and 16.6% strikeout rate—an advanced approach for a teenage signee. He controls the zone well and shows feel for contact, giving him a strong foundation as he transitions stateside. The stolen base efficiency needs work, but the athleticism and plate discipline are real. If the body fills out and the contact quality improves, he could grow into a dynamic top-of-the-order threat.
Fantasy managers should treat Cortesia as a deep-league stash with OBP, speed, and projection. He’s not ready for investment yet, but the traits are quietly exciting. If the strength comes and the approach holds, he could emerge as a high-OBP contributor with 10–15 homer upside and 20+ steals. Monitor closely.
10. Ethan Petry (OF, #49)
- Highest Level: Low-A ETA: 2028 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 60 OF with upside
- Last Updated: 11/21/2025
- Tools Summary: Above-average raw power, OBP skills, swing-and-miss risk.
Drafted in the second round in 2025 out of South Carolina, Ethan Petry signed slightly under slot but brought a well-established power profile to the Nationals. He showcased significant home run juice in his freshman and sophomore seasons before shifting his approach in 2025 to improve contact rates—trading some slug for bat-to-ball. After signing, he was assigned to High-A, where the power re-emerged but swing-and-miss issues followed. He’s a power-over-contact bat with 40-grade speed and strong zone discipline.
Petry consistently draws walks and controls the strike zone, which helps balance the swing-and-miss. The raw power is above average, and the contact quality flashes when he’s on time. Defensively, he’s likely limited to a corner spot, but the bat will carry the profile. If he can make enough contact without sacrificing impact, he could grow into a middle-of-the-order threat. The Owen Caissie comp fits—similar power, plate discipline, and athletic limitations.
Fantasy managers should treat Petry as a corner bat with 25+ homer upside and OBP appeal. He’s not a burner and won’t add speed, but the power is real, and the walk rates give him a path to value in deeper formats. If the contact stabilizes, he’s a Top 200 fantasy asset with impact potential.
