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Four Washington Nationals Top Prospects Off To A Hot Start

By Max Rayman |
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 08: Luis Garcia #2 of the Washington Nationals reacts after hitting a ground rule double scoring a run in the eighth inning of an MLB game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on September 8, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 08: Luis Garcia #2 of the Washington Nationals reacts after hitting a ground rule double scoring a run in the eighth inning of an MLB game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on September 8, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
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Unsurprisingly, Washington Nationals’ 2022 season is off to a disastrous start. They are 9-19, are fresh off of a series lost to the Rockies, and have lost three straight. In the middle of a rebuild, many knew it was going to be an ugly season for the Nats, with the focus on the development of the team’s new core.

Fortunately, the Nats have received plenty of early success from their minor league teams, with plenty of their prospects jumping out to hot starts.

Here are four of the Washington Nationals top prospects who have been on fire to start the season.

T.J. White

A fifth-round pick in last year’s draft, T.J. White immediately exploded onto the scene thanks to his impressive power. In 15 games at the Rookie League, he slashed .283/.356/.547, with four homers, 12 RBIs, and an OPS of .903.

This year he was promoted to Low-A and has flashed the ability to hit for both power and average. In 46 ABs, he’s slashing .283/.365/.500 with two homers, three RBIs, and an OPS of .865. After splitting between both corner outfield spots in 2021, this season he has primarily been manning left.

Somthing to keep an eye on is his swing and miss issues — striking out 14 times in 53 ABs last year. This season has been no different, having already struck out 18 times in 46 at-bats.

A general view of a Washington Nationals baseball hat on top of a Rawlings baseball glove during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park on September 25, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
A general view of a Washington Nationals baseball hat on top of a Rawlings baseball glove during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park on September 25, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

Brady House

In a farm system that is lacking elite position player prospects, Brady House has emerged early on as the real deal. Drafted 11th overall last year, House got his first taste of the minors at the FCL, slashing .322./394/.576, with four homers, 12 RBIs, and an OPs of .970.

Earlier in the month, we wrote about House’s hot start stating:

This season Washington started him at Low-A Fredricksburg and House has already acclimated to the increase in competition. From the second he stepped on the Fredricksburg diamond, his ability to hit for both average and power has been on full display. In his Low-A debut, he went 2-4 and was hit by a pitch and followed this up by going 3-4, with a homer, and four RBIs. This was just the beginning with the highlight of his season occurring earlier tonight. House was struggling against the Carolina Mudcats, entering the ninth inning 0-3, with a strikeout. Not fazed, the righty came through when it mattered — walking off the Mudcats with a two-run single.

On the season, he’s hitting a blistering .326, with two homers, 24 RBIs, and an OPS of .857. What stands out the most about House is that through his first 16 games at Low-A, his numbers are eerily similar to when superstar Juan Soto was at Low-A.

Something to keep an eye on is his alarming strikeout rate. Initially projected to go in the top eight of the 2021 draft, House slipped due to some swing and miss issues stemming from his swing becoming too long at times. This issue has been on full display in the minors, striking out 26 times in 89 ABs this year — capped off by a five strikeout night on April 29. Unfortunately, the youngster has currently been sidelined with an injury.

A general view of the 2019 World Series Champions sign at Nationals Park before the game between the Washington Nationals and the Toronto Blue Jays on July 28, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
A general view of the 2019 World Series Champions sign at Nationals Park before the game between the Washington Nationals and the Toronto Blue Jays on July 28, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

Cole Henry

A firm member of Washington’s future big three alongside Cade Cavalli and Jackson Rutledge, Cole Henry is finally healthy and turning heads as a result. The 22-year-old missed the majority of last year due to an elbow issue. He was held to nine appearances at Low-A, going 3-3, with a 1.88 ERA, and 63 strikeouts in 43 innings — while opponents hit a measly .158 against him.

After the season ended, he was invited to represent the Nationals at the Arizona Fall League, going 1-0, with a 3.32 ERA, and 30 strikeouts, while walking nine across 19 innings of work.

Because injuries have been a frequent issue for Henry dating back to his time at LSU, Washington decided to take things slow with him this season. He wasn’t invited to the Nationals Spring Training and instead focused on getting his body ready for the season.

Henry’s made five starts at AA this year, only allowing one run across 15 2/3 innings while striking out 20. Opponents are struggling to just reach base against him — scratching together just four hits and nine walks (five of which came in his last start).

Washington is still slowly ramping him up, with Henry yet to throw more than four innings in a game. The slow approach is appreciated as the Nationals don’t want to ruin one of their most promising arms.

DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 29: Luis Garcia #2 of the Washington Nationals runs during the game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 29, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Nationals 10-5. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 29: Luis Garcia #2 of the Washington Nationals runs during the game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 29, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Nationals 10-5. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Luis García

While his prospect status expired, no one in the Nationals’ minor league system has been hotter than Luis García. Starting the year at AAA in order to work on his defense, García committed errors in four of his first five games to start the year. But since then he’s played clean defense, even making some highlight plays.

Offensively, he’s showcased an advanced approach at the plate. During his brief stint in the majors, he was unable to hit for power — posting an OPS of .680 across 110 games.

In 23 games to start the AAA season, he’s slashing an absurd .356/.411/.644, with six homers, 16 RBIs, and an OPS of 1.055. He’s already been named Minor Leauge Player of the Week and leads his team in hits (36), triples (3), homers (6), batting average (.356), OBP (.411), SLG (.644), and OPS (1.055).

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