Where Nationals Top 30 prospects are starting '22

With the Minor League season opening this week, here's where the Nationals’ Top 30 prospects are projected to start:

1. Cade Cavalli (MLB No. 39), RHP -- Rochester (Triple-A)
2. Brady House (MLB No. 49), SS -- Fredericksburg (Single-A)
3. Cole Henry, RHP -- Harrisburg (Double-A)
4. Jackson Rutledge, RHP -- Fredericksburg (Single-A) -- injured list (biceps)
5. Cristhian Vaquero, OF -- Dominican academy
6. Andry Lara, RHP -- Fredericksburg (Single-A)
7. Gerardo Carrillo, RHP -- Harrisburg (Double-A)
8. Joan Adon, RHP -- Washington (MLB)
9. Armando Cruz, SS -- Extended spring training
10. Daylen Lile, OF -- Injured (Tommy John surgery)
11. Aldo Ramirez, RHP -- Injured (elbow soreness)
12. Yasel Antuna, OF -- Wilmington (High-A)
13. Matt Cronin, LHP -- Harrisburg (Double-A)
14. Jeremy de la Rosa, OF -- Fredericksburg (Single-A)
15. Roismar Quintana, OF -- Extended spring training
16. Mitchell Parker, LHP -- Wilmington (High-A)
17. Branden Boissiere, 1B -- Fredericksburg (Single-A)
18. Evan Lee, LHP -- Harrisburg (Double-A)
19. Donovan Casey, OF -- Rochester (Triple-A)
20. Drew Millas, C -- Injured (intercostal strain)
21. Sammy Infante, SS -- Fredericksburg (Single-A)
22. Jackson Cluff, SS -- Harrisburg (Double-A)
23. Lucius Fox, SS/2B/OF -- Washington (MLB)
24. Dustin Saenz, LHP -- Fredericksburg (Single-A)
25. Israel Pineda, C -- Wilmington (High-A)
26. Ricardo Méndez, OF -- Injured (hamstring)
27. TJ White, OF -- Fredericksburg (Single-A)
28. Jordy Barley, SS -- Wilmington (High-A)
29. Yoander Rivero, SS -- Fredericksburg (Single-A)
30. Mason Denaburg, RHP -- Injured (Tommy John recovery)

Team to watch
There’s typically a lot of focus on the lower levels for rebuilding clubs, and that will be no different for the Nationals heading into 2022. Single-A Fredericksburg boasts nine of the organization’s Top 30 prospects, nearly double the number of any other full-season affiliate on Opening Day. There’s a big name to focus on here as well in 2021 first-rounder House -- a 6-foot-4 right-handed masher with plus power potential. The FredNats could have a bit of a logjam at shortstop between House, Infante and Rivero, and that’s just the type of good problem farm systems covet at premium positions.

Teams on MiLB.TV
Triple-A Rochester
Double-A Harrisburg
Single-A Fredericksburg

New faces
Fox is now with his fifth organization, having previously been with the Giants, Rays, Royals and (very briefly) Orioles before the Nats claimed him on waivers last November. The utilityman, who has plus-plus speed, made the big club out of his first Washington camp and will become the ninth Major League player born in the Bahamas whenever he debuts.

On the shelf
There were hopes that Rutledge could be healthy following shoulder and blister issues last year. However, biceps soreness slowed him in Spring Training, and he’ll open the season on the Single-A Fredericksburg injured list while he builds up again. The oft-injured Denaburg underwent Tommy John surgery last year and won't be ready to move to an affiliate until later this summer. Ramirez is taking it slow after dealing with elbow soreness this spring. Millas' intercostal strain kept him from opening 2022 with a club, but he is expected to be ready soon. Méndez is out with a hamstring injury that the Nats want to heal fully before he leaves extended spring training.