Nationals Top 10 Prospects For 2026

Plus: A pair of Pirates prospects are enjoying their time in the desert.

Carlson Reed, RHP, Pirates: Reed is the rare pitcher who has enjoyed his time in the Arizona Fall League. So far, he has managed to avoid the tricky heightened run environments without many pitfalls. On Wednesday, Reed tossed four scoreless innings for Salt River, allowing one hit, one walk, while striking out three. Reed ended his outing on the most unusual out of the game, as Jonny Farmelo was caught stealing home, following a pickoff attempt to first base. Reed's fastball sits in the low 90s, but he mixes an above-average changeup and a slider that drives weak contact.

Tony Blanco Jr., 1B/DH, Pirates: Blanco Jr. has enjoyed his time in the desert this fall and was selected to participate in this year’s Arizona Fall League home run derby. On Wednesday, Blanco chose to celebrate with a two-hit game against Peoria. Blanco reached base three times as he collected two singles and a walk. The 6-foot-7 Blanco overcame tragedy this season with the death of his father, but returned late in the season to impress over 28 games with Bradenton. Blanco is hitting .306 with a .972 OPS over 11 games with Salt River this fall. 

Patrick Clohisy, OF, Braves: Even the most hardcore prospect obsessives were likely unaware of the speed Patrick Clohisy entering the Arizona Fall League season. However, after terrorizing the basepaths of the AFL,  the Braves outfielder is making his presence known. Clohisy went 4-for-6 on Wednesday in Glendale’s drubbing of Mesa and drove in two runs on three singles and a double. He stole his league-leading 19th base in the process.

Nationals Top 10 Prospects For 2026

Today, we're unveiling the 10 best prospects in the Nationals system entering 2026.

The top of the Nationals system is headlined by Eli Willits, the No. 1 overall draft pick this past summer and Washington's likely shortstop of the future.

Baseball America's Matt Eddy is hosting a chat at 2 p.m. ET to discuss Willits and the overall state of Washington's farm system.

Projected 2029 Nationals Lineup

Catcher: Keibert Ruiz (30)
First Base: Brady House (26)
Second Base: CJ Abrams (28)
Third Base: Seaver King (26)
Shortstop: Eli Willits (21)
Left Field: Luke Dickerson (23)
Center Field: Dylan Crews (27)
Right Field: Daylen Lile (26)
Designated Hitter: James Wood (26)

No. 1 Starter: MacKenzie Gore (30)
No. 2 Starter: Jarlin Susana (25)
No. 3 Starter: Travis Sykora (25)
No. 4 Starter: Alex Clemmey (23)
No. 5 Starter: Jake Bennett (28)
Closer: Cade Cavalli (30)

Listed below are the prospects with the best tools within the organization. To go directly to Washington's Top 10, click here.

Nationals Best Tools

Best Hitter: Phillip Glasser
Best Power Hitter: Andrew Pinckney
Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Eli Willits
Fastest Baserunner: Andrew Pinckney
Best Athlete: Elijah Green
Best Fastball: Jarlin Susana
Best Curveball: Jarlin Susana
Best Slider: Travis Sykora
Best Changeup: Sean Paul Liñan
Best Control: Josh Randall
Best Defensive Catcher: Kevin Bazzell
Best Defensive Infielder: Seaver King
Best Infield Arm: Jorgelys Mota
Best Defensive Outfielder: Cristhian Vaquero
Best Outfield Arm: Andrew Pinckney

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