The Washington Nationals are set to begin a quick 2-game set against the Philadelphia Phillies tonight, the last time they will have to face their division rival for the rest of the 2026 season. Coming off a sweep of the Los Angeles Angels, the Nationals will look to carry the momentum into this final set against the Phillies. Rookie Jackson Kent will get the start tonight, while breakout Nationals ace Cade Cavalli will take the bump tomorrow.
Both games will be a major test for the Nationals, who will be opposed by Christopher Sanchez tonight and Zack Wheeler tomorrow, both of whom have been some of the best pitchers in baseball this season. Pitching has been a struggle for the Nationals in 2026, but hopefully beginning in 2027 the team will have some major reinforcements arriving in the form of a couple top prospects.
Jarlin Susana on cusp of majors after promotion to AAA Rochester
One of those top prospects might actually be joining the Nationals as quickly as next season, and it is a prospect whose arrival has been highly anticipated for several years now. Jarlin Susana, the final prospect acquired in the 2022 Juan Soto deal, has been promoted to AAA Rochester which has now left the flamethrowing righty just one call away from the major leagues.
Susana's development has been a very interesting one to follow throughout the 2026 season, as it was initially unknown how much he would be able to participate given the injury struggles he endured in 2025. However, he has recovered extremely well and is now on track to have a very good chance to crack the rotation to begin next season, if there is one.
The Washington Nationals are promoting Jarlin Susana to the Rochester Red Wings (AAA). pic.twitter.com/3zsIMAJcuv
— Milb Central (@milb_central) September 13, 2026
Currently, he is the #67 prospect in all of baseball according to MLB Pipeline, and he is the third highest-ranked prospect in the Nationals' organization. His stuff is already elite enough that he could be an effective pitcher at the highest level with his 70-grade fastball and 70-grade slider as well, but being able to consistently throw enough strikes will be the biggest factor for him.
So far this year Susana has 34 strikeouts compared to just 7 walks in 17.2 innings of work across both High-A Wilmington and AA Harrisburg. The Nationals are still being careful in limiting his full workload, as they want to ensure that he can stay healthy enough to hit the ground running in 2027. At only 22-years-old and having flashed stuff as elite as he has, Susana will be a guy that has all the tools necessary to become a rookie sensation for the Nationals next year.
When do you think Jarlin Susana will earn his promotion to the majors? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.
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