Down on the Farm: Checking in on the Nationals’ Top 5 Prospects

Apr 21, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo on the field before the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Tomorrow’s All-Stars?

A baseball team can never become a contender if it doesn’t build from the ground up, creating a strong farm system that can fuel the big league club now, and in the future. Fortunately for Nationals fans, general manager Mike Rizzo and the team’s player development staff have done just that.

Although the team is already loaded with young talent at the big league level, the next wave of potential superstars is right behind them. Giolito, Cole, Taylor, Goodwin and Solis may be the Nationals’ top prospects, but the future of this team goes far beyond those five names.

The Nationals are tied for first place in the National League East and Baseball Prospectus gives them an 80 percent chance of making the playoffs. Things are looking good for the Nationals right now, but, more importantly, the future is looking good as well.

So enjoy this All-Star break, rest and prepare for what promises to be an incredible second half of the season. The Nationals may have only one player participate in today’s game, but, in reality, the team is full of All-Stars from the bottom up. Today it’s Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke and Giancarlo Stanton. Tomorrow it might be Lucas Giolito, A.J. Cole and Michael Taylor. Who knows.

One thing’s for certain, the future is bright for the Washington Nationals.