We like to think that the Nationals have a promising farm system. However, that may not ring true across the league. The Nationals have much talent due up sooner than later, and that gives us excitement. However, some teams have much more promise, such as the Pirates and the Brewers. As it is the dead of winter, why not review the Nationals farm system and where they stand among their MLB competitors?
Nationals Current Farm System Ranking
The most up-to-date farm system ranking is listed on Fangraphs. They use a metric that tiers MLB prospects and combines the values into a solid ranking. As per this formula, the Nationals are smack-dad in the middle of the MLB as the 16th ranked Farm System.
The highest tier is labeled as "70 FV". To simplify, the higher the numeric value, the better the prospect is. No single teams has a 70 FV player at this point in time. However, two teams have a 65 FV player in the Pittsburgh Pirates (1st ranked) and Milwaukee Brewers (4th ranked).
The Nationals highest rated player sits in the fourth tier of 55 FV. This player is Jarlin Susana, the organizations 4th ranked prospect (RHP - AA). They then have two players in the fifth tier, being Eli Willits (SS - A), though ages away from being up in the majors, and Travis Sykora (RHP - AA).
Where Our Farm System May Succeed
The Nationals are not stocked to the heavens. They are also not spread thin to minimally nothing. The team is mid-pack in their quantitiy, as well as their quality of prospects. It will be up to the organization to hit on as many prospects as possible, plain and simple.
The Nationals have three prospects in the MLB Top 100, being Willits at (15), Harry Ford at (42), and Travis Sykora at (49). Ford and Sykora may be playing very soon, as opposed to Willits. The same will go for Susana, who is ranked 87th on the MLB Top 100, although being Fangraphs' highest tiered National.
Where Others Rank the Nationals Farm System
Following the 2025 regular season, Bleacher Report ranked the Nationals as the 24th best farm system. Baseballamerica also ranked the Nationals are a Bottom-10 farm system in the MLB system. The stock of this minor league system is clearly not very high.
Key Nationals to Be Called Up in 2026
Quality over quantity is the key. The better the hit-rate, the better the team. This is who should (hopefully) see the field at Nationals Park in 2026.
- Harry Ford (C - Likely on Opening Day Roster) - 2nd Ranked Prospect
- Jarlin Susana (RHP) - 4th Ranked Prospect
- Luis Perales (RHP - Reached the Majors, but is due up full-time in 2027) - 5th Ranked Prospect
- Christian Franklin (OF) - 13th Ranked Prospect
Surely, we will see more than these four players. As of now, they look like the most likely names to see, in tandem with their Top-15 organizational rankings.