The Nationals have a strong farm system already. Eli Willits, Jarlin Susana, and Travis Sykora are solid prospects with high ceilings. However, there are some under-the-radar prospects that Nationals fans should start paying attention to.
Brayan Cortesia
Brayan Cortesia is an 18-year-old prospect from Venezuela. He is a right-handed hitter with an average build and above-average ratings at fielding and running. Defense and athleticism for defenders at premium positions are important, and Cortesia fills both of these requirements. The concerns with Cortesia come from his offensive potential. Prognosticators predict him to be an average contact bat with below-average power. In his first season of rookie ball, though, he had a .317 average and had a .798 OPS. He also walked as much as he struck out in his limited playing time. He was a very productive offensive player, and as he likely begins A ball next season, he can hopefully continue to be successful.
Sean Paul Liñan
Sean Paul Liñan was the Nationals' return from the Dodgers for Alex Call at the trade deadline. Liñan was very successful for the Dodgers this season before the Nationals traded for him. In 37 and a third innings pitched with Los Angeles’ High A affiliate, he had a 2.65 ERA and 39 strikeouts. His fastball sits in the low to mid 90s and plays well off his dominant changeup with significant vertical and horizontal drop. With a dominant off-speed offering, solid fastball, and average control, the right-hander has promise. However, he needs to develop another off-speed pitch if he wants to truly succeed in the MLB.
Griff McGarry
The Nationals' most recent rule five draft acquisition does not have the same prospect shine that he once had. Griff McGarry has a dominant slider and fastball, but he has poor control and other off-speed offerings. In AA last season, he also had promising results. In 17 starts, he had a 3.25 ERA. However, he also had 45 walks in just 72 innings pitched. There is a high likelihood that McGarry will end up as a reliever, but he has the stuff to be highly effective. The Nationals should give him as many high-leverage opportunities next season and hope he can become a preeminent reliever in the league.
Not all successful Major Leaguers are top prospects. The Nationals have a number of under-the-radar players in their farm system who could become incredibly successful in future seasons despite not being very successful now.