This past week, ESPN released their own version of a Top 100 MLB Prospect Rankings. This topped off with some new names, featuring Konnor Griffin (PIT) as the #1 name in the 65 FV category. They followed this up with Kevin McGonigle (DET) at #2 and Jesus Made (MIL) at #3.
As for the Washington Nationals, we found four prospects in the ranking. On average, each team should have about 3.1 prospects in the Top 100, so this is not so bad. Let's take a look to the young gunners.
41. Eli Willits (SS)
In no surprise, the Nationals have Eli Willits as their #1 rated prospect, per ESPN. As you well know, Willits is the Nationals 2025 1st overall draft pick. He was quoted as a "somewhat surprising No. 1 pick", but one, nonetheless. Willits got the nod over Ethan Holliday, and we expect great returns in due time.
Willits is a switch-hitting shortstop. He is noted to have generated a ton of contact over the summer showcase. As of now, Willits is not due up until 2028, per MLB.com. They rank him much higher as the #13 overall prospect.
58. Travis Sykora (RHP)
Sykora is in an interesting spot. He has endured two notable surgeries over the past two years. However, the team hopes to see him sooner than later as a starter. Sykora was a 3rd round, 71st overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. He finished 2025 in AA-Harrisburg with a 7.71 ERA in two games. Sykora did show much more promise in A+-Wilmington with his 1.21 ERA in six games.
The future item currently fields a fastball-slider-changeup trio. ESPN notes his Slider to be "below average". As per MLB.com, Sykora is 54th overall prospect, yet not due up until the 2028 season. The Nationals will hope for the second half of 2027.
74. Jarlin Susana (RHP)
Susana enters his 2026 MiLB campaign with high hopes. He is not due up until 2027, but there is definitely a shot that he gets the nod in 2026, if all goes well.
The Padres signed Susana as an international prospect in 2022, with a $1.7 Million Signing Bonus. He became a part of the Juan Soto deal, a class that seems to be growing in due time. The 21-Year Old is said to feature and elite fastball, touching on 100+ MPH. He also has an electric slider. His third pitch lingers as a work in progress.
In 2025, Susana did end his year unfortunately with a lat injury. If he can return where he left off, 2026 will remain a possibility.
82. Harry Ford (C)
The Nationals are definitely hopeful to replace Keibert Ruiz with Ford. Despite being 82nd on this list, Ford is due up in 2026 and will likely see quite a bit of playing time. His ranking is not so much that of timing, but pure upside. The likes of Willits and Sykora appear to have higher perceived long-term upside.
Ford was the 12th overall pick in the 2021 draft by the Mariners. He now finds him a National post-2025 trade. Ford is said to be polished behind the plate. He is an "average runner", but has "above average power", pacing for 15-20 home runs on a full season of baseball.
As of now, Ruiz is still the Opening Day Catcher, per Fangraphs. Given his struggles, this may very well end sooner than later, in favor of Ford.