When the Washington Nationals traded superstar Juan Soto to the San Diego Padres in August 2022, the spotlight naturally fell on the major league-ready talents acquired CJ Abrams, MacKenzie Gore, and James Wood. All of these players have been contributors to this team since being called up.
Most recently, Robert Hassell III also has played very well since being called up and he was also a part of that deal. However, in my opinion one of the most intriguing pieces of that blockbuster deal has yet to pitch in a major league game. That is as a the 21-year-old Dominican flamethrower, Jarlin Susana. Susana is emerging as a potential ace in the Nationals' farm system that could be a part of the big-league rotation for years to come.
Standing at an intimidating 6-foot-6, Susana boasts a fastball that consistently hits triple digits, reaching up to 103 MPH. His arsenal of pitches also includes a devastating sinker, which, during spring training, achieved a remarkable 100% whiff rate. Guys like Susana it is important to not just look at the results but the raw stuff he able to work with. This is why that 103 MPH fastball along with the sinker should be a great sign for the Nationals front office to bring him up when the time is right.
Susana's 2024 season showcased the good and the bad that comes with such a raw talent. After a challenging start with Single-A Fredericksburg, where he posted an 8.89 ERA over his first eight starts, he made significant adjustments. Over his next six outings, he recorded a stellar 0.60 ERA, striking out 49 batters while issuing only 11 walks. When he was sent to High-A Wilmington he saw continued success, including a career-high 10 strikeouts in a single game. This is where the talent started to meet with the results.
While control remains a work in progress, as is generally the case with young pitchers, Susana's strikeout ability is undeniable, with a K/9 of 12.1. His development trajectory suggests that, with continued work with some of the stellar pitching coaches in the Nationals organization, he could become a mainstay in the Nationals' rotation.
Susana is currently ranked #66 among MLB's Top 100 prospects, and has proven himself to be one of the Nationals' most promising young pitchers. His progress, alongside other talents acquired in the Soto trade, underscores the potential long-term benefits of that pivotal deal for Washington. While currently battling an injury, hopefully he can get back on track in the next few weeks and keep pushing to make the big leagues sooner vice later.
Susana is truly the final piece of the puzzle. As we are now 3 years and 3 teams removed from the Juan Soto trade, getting a glimpse at the Nationals haul has been amazing to see. Susana is the final player needing to be called up at after he comes off the IL, and I believe he will prove himself. Mark my words, by the end of the year, the fans will see Jarlin Susana's big-league debut.