With the Washington Nationals having suffered another heartbreaking defeat last night, this time at the hands of the New York Yankees, it's time to focus on some more positive things. Obviously, the bullpen can't be fixed overnight, but fans can at least turn their attention to the 2026 MLB Draft, which is set to kick off later today.
While the team doesn't control the draft like they did last year when they selected Eli Willits #1 overall, the Nationals hold the 11th pick in the 1st round, giving them an opportunity to take whichever elite talent falls in their lap. However, after Chris Hacopian and Jared Grindlinger, the team's most frequently mocked selections earlier on in the process, are seemingly going to be off the board before the Nationals pick, who else could the club be looking into?
I scoured several social media platforms and mocks from industry experts, and these are the names for us Nationals fans to keep an eye on as Rob Manfred approaches the podium later today to announce the pick.
Ryder Helfrick, C - Arkansas
A late rising name who has begun to be linked to the Nationals primarily due to the uncertainty of how this new front office will decide their draft process is Arkansas catcher Ryder Helfrick. MLB Pipeline's #11 draft prospect is known primarily for his defensive prowess, but he has a lot of upside at the plate as well.
After putting up an OPS of .979 this year while posting a 1.036 mark last year, it's clear that Helfrick could immediately become the Nationals' catcher of the future, especially given Harry Ford's struggles. Helfrick's rocket arm and elite fielding abilities could make him a candidate to be on a big league fast track, especially if his bat can translate quickly.
Ace Reese, 3B - Mississippi State
Another name who has gained a ton of steam within the last couple days is Mississippi State third baseman Ace Reese. Simply put, Reese can flat out hit, and he can do so with significant power upside at a position where he should also be good enough defensively to stick there long-term.
Reese hit 21 homers with a 1.140 OPS in 2025, and followed it up with 24 homers and a 1.152 OPS in 2026. The 6'4" lefty slugger might be considered the new favorite for the Nationals at #11, especially considering other names the teams were heavily considering like Hacopian and Grindlinger seem like they will be gone.
AJ Gracia, OF - Virginia
There have been a lot of other names connected to the Nationals at 11, but one that could be an interesting flier would be AJ Gracia, an outfielder from the University of Virginia. A former Duke Blue Devil who got even better with the Cavaliers after transferring, Gracia could present a phenomenal value selection at 11 if he doesn't go beforehand.
Gracia presents a mix of contact, power, and solid fielding ability, giving him a chance to be a very steady prospect within the Nationals' system. He had an OPS of 1.121 this year, while walking more than he struck out, showcasing an elite approach that we know the Toboni front office is emphasizing a ton of moving forward. Plus, the last time the Nationals dipped into the UVA pipeline in the first round, things turned out to be pretty okay for the franchise.
Other notable names to keep an eye on:
- Derek Curiel, OF - LSU
- Justin Lebron, SS - Alabama
- Cameron Flukey, RHP - Coastal Carolina
Who do you think the Nationals will select with the 11th pick? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.
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