As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
The Washington Nationals find themselves in a peculiar organizational spot. Their top hitting talent is already in the major leagues, yet it still doesn't feel like enough. James Wood appears to be one of the game's premier power hitters, and Dylan Crews, despite being slightly disappointing, has shown flashes of potential. They seem to have won the Juan Soto trade, with Mackenzie Gore emerging as one of the game's better left-handed pitchers, and while CJ Abrams struggles defensively at shortstop, he is a strong hitter. But in the front office, a new era has dawned in the nation's capital: out with the old, Mike Rizzo, and in with the new, as Paul Toboni is now tasked with crafting the next competitive Nationals squad. The changing of the guard right before the draft, along with the selection of Eli Willits as the first overall pick, raised some eyebrows. However, this allowed them to acquire talents such as Landon Harmon, Coy James, and Miguel Sime Jr. later in the draft. Eli Willits represents a strategic shift for the Nationals, as they are now pursuing less high-risk options, whether that be prospects with significant hit tool red flags or pitchers. It remains to be seen what the newly appointed President of Baseball Operations will do in D.C., but this is a relatively strong farm system with many interesting pitchers, even if they all carry some pretty substantial reliever risk, such as Alexander Clemmey and Jarlin Susana. The current roster is in a difficult position, as they are by far the least likely team to contend in the National League East. However, they possess some close-to-the-majors pitching talent that, with the right offensive signings, the Nats could creep towards respectability.
About Our Top 20 Lists
Prospects Live, led by its evaluating team & Director of Scouting Rhys White, is proud to begin rolling out its annual offseason system reports. The team combines industry feedback, our live looks, film, and available data to compile each org. We believe this effort has enabled us to present you, the reader, with our best possible view of the prospects in the organization.
We have constructed this list using the Overall Future Potential (OFP) scale. There is no perfect equation for ranking prospects or assigning value to them, but we believe this method is the best possible approach. Every prospect on this list has been graded based on the tried and true 20-80 scouting scale. An 80 is the highest tool and OFP grade on the scale, reserved for MVP-caliber players or tools. Conversely, a 20 is reserved for non-prospects (NPs). A 50 OFP falls in the middle, indicating our evaluators deem this player a future average major league player. Below the 50 OFP tier are the 45s and 40s, comprising a large majority of players on each list. These are specific-role players, such as platoon hitters, utility players, or low-leverage relievers. Above the 50 OFP tier are the 55s and 60s. A 55 represents a future above-average player, and a 60 OFP designation is reserved for future All-Star caliber players.
In addition to the tool grades and OFP, we will also include a 'Risk' associated with each prospect. We use this to better communicate to you, the reader, whether a grade is more aggressive or conservative in nature. The evaluation team has worked hard to apply both the grades and risk components to better illustrate how each individual prospect stacks up in their respective system and in the baseball ecosystem.
While the initial shock of seeing Reggie Willits' son being selected first overall is now done, the switch-hitter is now the best Nationals prospect. Eli Willits was only seventeen and a half when he was drafted, meaning he is about the same age as some prospects currently still at either the domestic or Dominican complex league. Willits’ calling card is a plus hit tool to go along with plus athleticism. He is a hit-over-power sort of prospect whose swing is geared towards spraying batted balls to all fields. The power, as currently constructed, is below average due to his below-average raw strength and a lack of loft in his swing, resulting in underwhelming power. Luckily, there is a lot of physical projection left in his frame, and that would go a long way in the exit-velocity department. Willits can best be described as "hitterish," as he demonstrates a good understanding of the strike zone, makes sound swing decisions, and avoids chasing pitches. While it plays more like doubles power, his power mixed with his approach has the makings of a solid top-of-the-order type bat. In the field, Willits currently plays shortstop, and his actions are more than solid there; and we project him to become plus at maturity. He shows a good understanding of when to charge in on batted balls, and his arm strength and accuracy are above-average for a middle infield defender. His range at shortstop is plus thanks to his outstanding athleticism. If he isn’t able to play shortstop for some reason, he could be an impact defender in center field. There is a top-of-the-order bat here who hits 15-18 homers and, thanks to his plus athleticism, may end up stealing 25+ bags on the regular. Willits projects as an above-average major leaguer who falls just short of the “five-tool” label due to his power. - Rhys White
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
