While the Washington Nationals will be looking to take some steps in the right direction this weekend against the Arizona Diamondbacks following their recent sweep in Toronto against the Blue Jays, there is some good news to report. For all of the future Nationals that are currently in the organization, their seasons begin today, except for AAA Rochester, which began earlier this week.
Rochester has some guys to keep an eye on certainly, including a pair of top hitting prospects whose big league debuts could come in 2025, but what about everyone else? Here are the notable prospects at each level to start out the season.
AAA Rochester Red Wings
(11) Robert Hassell III, (3) Brady House, (16) Andry Lara, (25) Andrew Pinckney, (14) Tyler Stuart
Other notables: Joan Adon, Shinnosuke Ogasawara, Jackson Rutledge, Drew Millas, Darren Baker, Trey Lipscomb, Nasim Nuñez, Juan Yepez, Stone Garrett
In what has to be one of the better AAA lineups on paper across the entirety of the minor leagues, the Rochester Red Wings have a very healthy mix of veteran guys with big league experience, and minor leaguers trying to earn their first call to the show.
Everyone will be following Brady House, the Nationals #3 overall and top hitting prospect in the organization, to see when he will be getting the call to replace the uninspiring duo of Paul DeJong and José Tena at third base. I would guess he is a summer call-up, hopefully after DeJong is able to be offloaded to a contending team at the deadline.
After tallying a career-high 19 homers in 2024, Brady House is back at it again.
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 3, 2025
The @Nationals' No. 3 prospect wallops his first jack of the season, 428 ft, for the @RocRedWings. pic.twitter.com/kpAol9E2na
Robert Hassell III is another guy that Nationals fans are already clamoring for following his hot spring training, given the struggles early on of Jacob Young and Dylan Crews. If he gets off to a quick start, don't be surprised if we see him in DC before the summer. He has been on a steady upward trajectory since late last season as he continues to find his previous form.
Many of the veterans on this team will likely make at least one big league appearance this season, with stopgap guys that have lower ceilings like Juan Yepez, Trey Lipscomb, Stone Garrett, etc. all appearing on this roster. Don't sleep on the other highly-ranked prospects at AAA Rochester either, as Tyler Stuart is a guy I would keep an eye on to make his big league debut in 2025.
AA Harrisburg Senators
(23) Marquis Grissom Jr., (NR) Cole Henry, (2) Jarlin Susana, (12) Yohandy Morales, (10) Cayden Wallace, (9) Daylen Lile
The Harrisburg Senators have some guys that I would not be surprised have made their big league debut by the end of the 2025 season. Given how atrocious the bullpen has looked already, guys like Marquis Grissom Jr. and Cole Henry could have their number called to be moved up to AAA or even the big league's at a moment's notice potentially. I would guess one or both of them are in AAA by the middle of the summer as of right now.
The most important name on this list is Nationals #2 overall prospect Jarlin Susana, who features an effortless 75-grade fastball combined with some devastating offspeed stuff as well. Having just turned 21-years-old, the sky is the limit for the big righty, and he will get a major test at the AA level this season.
Yohandy Morales, Cayden Wallace, and Daylen Lile are all in pretty similar boats in that each of them wants the opportunity to prove they should be the guy long-term at their positions. Wallace had a very underrated spring training with the big league club, and I am hoping that his first full season in the Nationals organization is a good one. Perhaps he is a guy that gets a cup of coffee in the majors before the end of the season, although it does seem a bit far-fetched.
High-A Wilmington Blue Rocks
(5) Alex Clemmey, (8) Caleb Lomavita, (20) Jackson Kent, (4) Seaver King, (24) Elijah Green, (30) Brenner Cox
The Wilmington Blue Rocks, who play in a stadium that is known to be pretty tough on hitters, will have an interesting mix of prospects to begin the season. Alex Clemmey, who looked awesome during the team's Spring Breakout game, will be moved up a level, and he has a lot of people in and around the organization very excited about his potential after coming over from Cleveland in the Lane Thomas deal last season.
2024 1st round pick Seaver King will be moved up a level as well, as he attempt to fly through the minor leagues as quickly as possible. He was impressive in all facets of the game last year after being drafted, but the power from his final season in college has yet to translate to playing professionally. He was my pick to be the biggest breakout prospect in the organization this season, and I will be keeping a close eye on his development.
Hopefully the 2025 season can be a fruitful one for Elijah Green with a little scenery change, as the 2022 5th overall pick has had his share of struggled since being drafted. He is a hit tool away from being a truly generational prospect, and we will see if he can make some major strides in a tough place to hit.
Low-A Fredericksburg Nationals
(1) Travis Sykora (Injured), (13) Kevin Bazzell, (NR) Rafael Ramirez Jr., (28) Sam Petersen, (26) Cristhian Vaquero
The reigning Carolina League Champions will be looking to defend their crown this season, and should soon be getting an influx of young talent making their way over from rookie ball. We should see guys like Luke Dickerson, the Nationals' #6 prospect who was signed to the largest signing bonus of any 2nd round pick in MLB history last year, along with International Prospects like Angel Feliz, and whatever draft picks join the fray in a couple of months.
New #1 overall Nationals prospect Travis Sykora was assigned to Fredericksburg to begin the season, but I would assume once he is healthy he will only make a couple of starts at this level before being bumped up to High-A Wilmington, based on how he finished last season.
Which Nationals prospect are you most excited to watch this season? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.