Ranking the Nationals’ 5 most important young players for future success

The Nationals are still rebuilding, but the direction of the franchise is starting to come into focus. A wave of young talent has already reached the majors, while the farm system promises to supply the next generation. How quickly these players develop will determine when Washington can truly contend again.

This ranking focuses on Nationals players 25 and under, the group most critical to the team’s long-term success. Among that pool, three in the majors and three more in the farm system stand out as especially vital to the rebuild. Washington needs the players on this list to reach their ceilings if the franchise is going to turn young talent into sustained achievement for the team.

Most Important Young Nationals in the Majors

1. James Wood – OF

James Wood has quickly emerged as the face of the Nationals’ rebuild. The 6’7” outfielder came over in the Juan Soto trade and debuted in 2024, right away showing off the size, athleticism, and power that had scouts so high on him. In his first 79 games he hit .264 with nine home runs and 14 steals, a glimpse of the star he could become.

In his first full season, Wood has delivered on the hype. Through 134 games, he’s hitting .259 with 26 home runs, 84 RBIs, 15 steals, and an .831 OPS. While he’s had his share of slumps, the advanced metrics back it up, with a 93.7 mph average exit velocity that ranks in the 98th percentile, along with elite marks in hard-hit rate, barrel percentage, and more. Already an All-Star and Home Run Derby participant, he looks every bit like the middle-of-the-order slugger the Nationals have been searching for.

Wood’s great potential makes his development crucial. If he continues on this path, he can become one of the premier outfielders in the game and the true centerpiece of Washington’s next contender. Locking him up long-term would give the franchise the star it needs to build around for the future.

2. Dylan Crews – OF

The Nationals drafted Dylan Crews second overall in 2023, expecting him to be a cornerstone of the rebuild. The LSU star won the Golden Spikes Award, led his team to a national championship, and was considered one of the most polished college bats in years. He reached the majors by August 2024, showing just how quickly Washington believed he could make an impact.

His first full season illustrates how tough the jump can be. At 23, Crews is hitting .202 with seven home runs, 19 RBIs, and a .623 OPS through 213 at-bats, though his 92nd percentile sprint speed has still made him a weapon on the bases with 14 steals. Consistency against big-league pitching presented the most significant hurdle, and a midseason oblique injury set him back even more.

Despite the struggles, Crews remains vital to the Nationals’ future. If he grows into the star-level hitter scouts projected, he provides the perfect complement to James Wood, CJ Abrams, and the other young pieces. Washington needs their former No. 2 pick to make that jump, and patience will be key as he develops into a true difference-maker in D.C.

3. CJ Abrams – SS

CJ Abrams has quickly established himself as a crucial young piece since coming over in the Juan Soto trade. After an up-and-down start, he broke out in 2024 with an All-Star season. Abrams became just the second National to post a 20 home run/30 stolen base year, solidifying himself as the spark at the top of the lineup.

In 2025, Abrams has built on that success, hitting .267 with 17 homers, 53 RBIs, 28 steals, and a .780 OPS. He remains one of the fastest players in baseball. While he is improving his defense, he has settled in as the everyday shortstop and gives the Nationals stability up the middle.

Abrams’ value comes from the way he sets the tone. When he gets on base, the offense looks completely different. While he may lack the raw ceiling of James Wood or Dylan Crews, his ability to lead and be a dynamic table-setter makes him critical to Washington’s future. As he continues to grow into that role, the Nationals should be looking to lock him into a long-term extension.

Most Important Young Nationals in the Minors

1. Eli Willits – SS

Eli Willits instantly became the headliner of Washington’s farm system when the Nats took him first overall in the 2025 draft. The 17-year-old shortstop from Oklahoma shot to the top of the Nationals’ prospect rankings and is already inside MLB Pipeline’s top 20. His selection signaled a big moment for the franchise, giving the team a potential long-term answer at shortstop.

A switch-hitter with a polished all-around game, Willits comes from a strong baseball family. He already shows a 60-grade hit tool, plus speed, and smooth defense, with power expected to come as he matures. In his first taste of professional ball, he’s hitting .371 with a nine-game hitting streak for the Fredericksburg Nationals, backing up the hype right away.

Why he matters is simple: the Nationals need their top overall pick to become a star. If Willits reaches his ceiling, he could be a Gold Glove-caliber shortstop and a top-of-the-order bat for the next decade. A rebuilding team absolutely must hit on a first pick, and his development remains one of the most important storylines to follow in the years ahead.

2. Travis Sykora – RHP

Travis Sykora presents as one of the most exciting arms in the Nationals’ system. Drafted in the third round in 2023 and signed to an overslot deal, the 6’6” Texan rose up the rankings thanks to a triple-digit fastball and devastating splitter.

He dominated in 2024 with a 2.33 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 85 innings, then followed that with a 1.79 ERA and 79 strikeouts over 45.1 innings across three levels in 2025, reaching Double-A by midseason. For a stretch, he was almost unhittable.

Tommy John surgery halted that progress in mid-2025, keeping him out until late 2026 at the earliest. Even so, Sykora still remains the top arm in the system when it comes to upside. If he returns to form, he has the tools to be a frontline starter by 2027, a role the Nationals badly need as they push back toward contention.

3. Jarlin Susana – RHP

Jarlin Susana, the final piece of the Juan Soto trade in 2022, has become one of the Nationals’ most intriguing young arms. At 21 years old and 6 '6”, 240 pounds, he pairs a fastball that regularly hits triple digits with a slider that already flashes wipeout potential.

Susana found his stride in 2024, putting up a 2.79 ERA with 123 strikeouts in 77.1 innings and earning a promotion that carried into Double-A this season. In 2025, he achieved a 3.51 ERA and 95 strikeouts over 56.1 innings, though injuries have slowed him, including a recent bout of triceps soreness that cut short a start. The Nationals hope it is not as serious as what happened with Travis Sykora, who was first diagnosed with the same issue before ultimately needing Tommy John surgery.

Susana’s importance comes down to his upside. If his command sharpens, he has the stuff to be a frontline starter. If not, his fastball-slider combo could still make him a dominant closer. With a healthy Travis Sykora, the combination gives Washington the kind of power arms it needs to build a winning staff.

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