Washington Nationals 2021 Midseason Top 50 Prospects

Nationals Top 50 design by @designsbypack on Twitter

Two years removed from winning the World Series, the Nationals have gone back to the drawing board and made sweeping changes at the trade deadline. Gone are a few veteran pieces and, more surprisingly, franchise cornerstones Max Scherzer and Trea Turner. General Manager Mike Rizzo decided that the best option for the team moving forward was to begin rebuilding. The Nats acquired twelve new players during the trade deadline that expect to play large roles in a potential rebuild.

It’s odd to think that in just two short seasons, this team has gone from a perennial contender to one of the many teams trying to rebuild for the future. All attention now turns to whether or not the team will secure superstar Juan Soto for the foreseeable future.


The Nationals farm system ranked at or near the bottom on almost all ranking systems before the 2021 season. The new additions to the system certainly take them out of the cellar and move them several spots up. The top tier of prospects certainly is impressive. After that, the depth has improved but is not as strong as many other systems.

Prospects1500 Tiers:
Tier 1: Players with high expectations of both making the majors and playing at an All-Star level for a number of years
Tier 2: Players with an above-average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 3: Players with an average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 4: Players who have the potential of making the majors or have a high likelihood of making the majors but providing minimal impact (e.g., middle reliever, low-ceiling UT guys)
Tier 5: Players of interest, worth keeping an eye on, who have an outside chance of making their team’s 40-man roster

Tier 1

1. Cade Cavalli, RHP (January rank #3)
Age: 23
Current Level: Double-A

Cavalli’s stuff, and more importantly, his health, have been impressive this year. At times, he has dominated this year and certainly looks like a top of the rotation starter.

2. Josiah Gray, RHP (January rank Dodgers #1)
Age: 23
Current Level: MLB

Gray reported immediately to the Nationals and has looked very impressive in his starts so far. He is another high upside arm in a system loaded with potential top of the rotation pieces.

3. Keibert Ruiz, C (January rank Dodgers #5)
Age: 23
Current Level: Triple-A

A centerpiece of the Scherzer-Turner trade, Ruiz projects to be the future backstop while adding a solid bat from both sides of the plate. According to reports he’s being called up to make his Washington debut August 30th.

Tier 2

4. Jackson Rutledge, RHP (January rank #1)
Age: 22
Current Level: Low-A

Injured to start the season, Rutledge has struggled with his control, and his numbers bear that out. The big righty still has top of the rotation potential, and I fully expect him to get back on track.

5. Brady House, SS (January rank N/A)
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie (FCL)

House was the Nationals 1st round draft pick in 2021 and immediately became one of the Nats’ top position player prospects. He brings an advanced approach to the plate with potential top-tier power and is a good fielder for his size.

6. Andry Lara, RHP (January rank #4)
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie (FCL)

Lara has been overpowering in spells, getting a lot of swing and miss from batters. He needs to improve his control, but he still has plenty of time to address that area.

7. Yasel Antuna, SS/3B (January rank #2)
Age: 21
Current Level: High-A

After a slow start to the season, Antuna has been swinging a hot bat in July and August. The power has started to develop, and he has looked more comfortable as the season has gone on.

8. Cole Henry, RHP  (January rank #5)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A

Henry and Cavalli have formed quite the duo in Wilmington this year. Henry has an impressive K/9 and has limited walks. By the beginning of the 2022 season, I could see him climbing even higher.

9. Jeremy De La Rosa, OF (January rank #6)
Age: 19
Current Level: Low-A

This season has seemed a bit overwhelming for De La Rosa. His strikeout numbers are high but somewhat expected at this point in the young outfielder’s career.

10. Gerardo Carrillo, RHP (January rank Dodgers #15)
Age: 22
Current Level: Double-A

Another possible starter, the Nats, like Carrillo’s big arm and potential to be a back of rotation option or even a bullpen arm.

11. Matt Cronin, LHP (January rank #10)
Age: 23
Current Level: Double-A

Cronin has provided big strikeout numbers this season and is destined to be a set-up man or closer.

Tier 3

12. Armando Cruz, SS  (January rank N/A)
Age: 17
Current Level: Rookie (DSL)

A 2021 J2 signing, Cruz is known for his fielding, and if his bat can catch up, look for him to move up in rankings. He has shown good patience at the plate and the ability to steal a few bases.

13. Mason Thompson, RHP  (January rank Padres #17)
Age: 23
Current Level: MLB

Thompson gives the Nats a middle innings bullpen arm. He dealt with injuries in San Diego, but when healthy, could earn a late-innings role.

14. Donovan Casey, OF  (January – unranked)
Age: 25
Current Level: Triple-A

Casey didn’t appear in the Dodgers Top 50 list, but he immediately entered the Nationals’ top prospect list. His calling card is his ability to hit for power. He does have a lot of swing and miss, but his athleticism is something the Nats like.

15. Daylen Lile, OF (January rank N/A)
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie (FCL)

Some scouts see the 2021 draft pick as a big league centerfielder with the ability to have line-drive power. A project draft pick and someone to keep an eye on.

16. Tim Cate, LHP  (January rank #11)
Age: 23
Current Level: Double-A

Cate has struggled in 2021 with the ability to throw strikes. He currently has the worst BB/9 and K/9 ratings of his career. For him to be effective, the control has to come back to its normal levels.

17. Aldo Ramirez, RHP  (January rank Red Sox #18)
Age: 20
Current Level: Rookie (FCL)

Ramirez is another trade deadline addition that gives the Nats another potential rotation piece. Great command, and plus fastball are calling cards for Ramirez.

18. Riley Adams, C  (January rank Blue Jays #24)
Age: 25
Current Level: MLB

Adams has already made an impact with the Nationals. He has a solid bat and will fill the catcher position until Ruiz makes the jump.

19. Sammy Infante, SS  (January rank #25)
Age: 20
Current Level: Rookie (FCL)

All of Infante’s tools are above average. How his hitting ability progresses will be a big factor in how he is perceived within the organization. He’s performed well in rookie ball, and it’s a good start for a promising career.

20. Roismar Quintana, OF (January rank #12)
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie (FCL)

Quintana has shown a very patient approach at the plate with just a few games under his belt. If he performs at this level the rest of the season, he easily moves back up in the rankings.

21. Jackson Cluff, SS (January rank #18)
Age: 24
Current Level: Double-A

Cluff started the season off in High-A and performed well. After moving up to Double-A, he has had his share of struggles. Time may be running out on the 24-year-old to separate himself from the vast number of shortstops in the Nats system.

22. Drew Mendoza, 1B (January rank #7)
Age: 23
Current Level: Double-A

Mendoza still has a lot of swing and miss to his bat, but the power is there and should only develop further.

23. Patrick Murphy, RHP (January rank Blue Jays #20)
Age: 26
Current Level: Triple-A

Trade deadline pickup that looks to help the big league club with some late-inning relief.

24. Daniel Marte, OF (January rank #16)
Age: 19
Current Level: Rookie (FCL)

Plate discipline must improve so that he can utilize his plus speed to be an effective offensive producer.

25. Mason Denaburg, RHP  (January rank #8)
Age: 22
Current Level: Low-A (IL)

The injury bug has hit Denaburg hard. Tommy John surgery in April will have Denaburg going almost 2 full years without pitching in a game. When healthy, he has back-end rotation stuff.

Tier 4

26. Joan Adon, RHP (January rank #14)
Age: 23
Current Level: High-A

There is still some hope that Adon can be a serviceable back end of the rotation piece.

27. Branden Boissiere, 1B  (January rank N/A)
Age: 21
Current Level: Low-A

A big bat selected from the University of Arizona, he has struggled so far with his pro debut.

28. Israel Pineda, C  (January rank #9)
Age: 21
Current Level: High-A

Pineda has produced big power numbers this year but has struggled to get on base. He has continued to improve behind the dish.

29. Tres Barrera, C  (January rank #21)
Age: 26
Current Level: MLB

Barrera has performed decently with the big league club swinging the bat. It’s more than likely remains a backup catcher moving forward.

30. Evan Lee, LHP (January rank #28)
Age: 24
Current Level: High-A

Lee has produced big strikeout numbers this year which may end up moving him to the bullpen at some point.

31. Mitchell Parker, LHP  (January – unranked)
Age: 21
Current Level: High-A

Has been mainly used as a starter this year. Probably needs another year to see if that’s where he sticks or not.

32. Jordy Barley, SS (January rank Padres #23)
Age: 21
Current Level: Low-A

Barley is known for his speed. He needs to cut down on the strikeouts in order to get on base and use that top-tier speed.

33. Seth Romero, LHP  (January rank #13)
Age: 25
Current Level: Double-A

Romero has also been mostly used as a starter this year and has a high K/9 rating.

34. Drew Millas, C  (January rank Athletics #30)
Age: 23
Current Level: High-A

Another catcher acquired at the trade deadline, Millas has a patient approach at the plate and gets on base consistently.

35. Holden Powell, RHP (January rank #15)
Age: 21
Current Level: High-A

Injuries have plagued Powell this year so he hasn’t gotten much work. I still think that when all is said in done, he ends up being in a setup or closer role.

36. Sterling Sharp, RHP (January rank #23)
Age: 26
Current Level: Triple-A

Control issues have been a problem for Sharp. Another possible bullpen arm.

37. Ben Braymer, LHP (January rank #24)
Age: 27
Current Level: Triple-A

Braymer, just like Sharp, has really struggled with his control and seems destined for a similar position.

Tier 5

38. Justin Connell, OF  (January rank #44)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A

Connell has been able to get on base at a high clip and utilize his speed this season. He is a player I could see continue to climb these rankings.

39. Jake Alu, 2B/3B (January – unranked)
Age: 24
Current Level: Double-A

Great approach at the plate and shows off the occasional speed on the bases. Alu has hit for a decent average at two levels this year.

40. Cole Freeman, OF (January rank #26)
Age: 26
Current Level: Double-A

Another speedy outfielder that has hit well this year. Freeman could be a September call-up to see how he fares at the big league level.

41. Gage Canning, OF  (January rank #36)
Age: 24
Current Level: Double-A

Canning appears headed to a utility-type role as he continues to get on base. Time is running out though for a chance to separate himself from other outfielders in the system.

42. Winder Diaz, 1B (January rank N/A)
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie (DSL)

A 2021 J2 signing, Diaz has impressive patience at the plate for an 18-year-old which has allowed him to possess an OBP over .400.

43. Juan Garcia, 3B (January rank #48)
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie (DSL)

A balanced approach at the plate and speed are Garcia’s calling cards.

44. Ricardo Mendez, OF  (January – unranked)
Age: 21
Current Level: High-A

Mendez has had a power surge this year and also shown the proclivity to be able to steal some bases.


45. Omar Meregildo, 1B/3B (January – unranked)
Age: 24
Current Level: High-A

Meregildo has produced amazing power stats this year but also has shown to be all or nothing at the plate.


46. Jose Cedeno, RHP (January – unranked)
Age: 19
Current Level: Rookie (DSL)

The young righty has displayed amazing control with the ability to produce ground balls.

47. Jose Atencio, RHP (January – unranked)
Age: 19
Current Level: Rookie (DSL)

Just like Cedeno, Atencio throws strikes consistently getting most of his outs through ground balls.

48. Alex Troop, LHP (January – unranked)
Age: 25
Current Level: High-A

A reliable bullpen arm this year, Troop’s ability to throw strikes has always been his strong suit.

49. Matt Merrill, RHP (January – unranked)
Age: 23
Current Level: Low-A

After not pitching for almost 3 seasons, Merrill has impressive strikeout numbers and it would appear best suited for the bullpen.

50. Gabriel Agostini, LHP (January – unranked)
Age: 17
Current Level: Rookie (DSL)

The young lefty has shown the ability to miss a lot of bats so far and has been used exclusively in relief so far in his young career.




1 Comment

  1. Jackson Tetreault not even in the top 50. He should be top 15 easily. His numbers blow your #10, #11 and #16 away over all levels shows you have no idea of what your talking about.

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