Checking in on Nats' top international prospects
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Wednesday marks the beginning of the 2025 international signing period, a day on which the Nationals have been active in recent years.
Hard-throwing righty Jarlin Susana was ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Nationals¡¯ current top international prospect. Including Susana, there are seven international free-agent signings on the Nationals¡¯ Top 30 Prospects list. Let¡¯s take a look at their continued development:
RHP Jarlin Susana (No. 4/MLB No. 90)
Age: 20
Signing class: 2022, $1.7 million (Padres, acquired in ¡®22 Juan Soto blockbuster trade)
Major League ETA: 2026
Last season: Single-A Fredericksburg, High-A Wilmington
2024 stats: 4-10, 4.34 ERA, 13.6 strikeouts per nine innings, 24 starts, 103 2/3 innings
MLB Pipeline: ¡°The 6-foot-6 right-hander¡¯s fastball is the star of the show, typically sitting 97-99 mph but reaching as high as 103. It¡¯s an absolute laser of a heater in more ways than one; it comes in blazing fast but fairly straight, which keeps it from being a true 80-grade pitch. He drops in a high-80s slider that also draws plus grades and forbids anyone from thinking they can sit on straight heat. His changeup and curveball still need work, but the former at least helps his starting chances.¡±
OF Victor Hurtado (No. 15)
Age: 17
Signing class: 2024, $2.8 million (Nationals)
Major League ETA: 2029
Last season: Dominican Summer League
2024 stats: 39 games, .218/.310/.331, .641 OPS, 3 home runs, 22 RBIs, 3 stolen bases
MLB Pipeline: ¡°His swing is already smooth and geared for lift, helping the case that he¡¯ll be at least an above-average hitter by the time he fills out his frame. There is length to the swing that could be an issue in time, but for now, he makes enough consistent contact that Washington evaluators envision him hitting from the middle of the lineup.¡±
3B/SS Angel Feliz (No. 16)
Age: 18
Signing class: 2024, $1.7 million (Nationals)
Major League ETA: 2029
Last season: Dominican Summer League
2024 stats: 49 games, .310/.381/.468, .849 OPS, 4 home runs, 20 RBIs, 27 stolen bases
MLB Pipeline: ¡°His promising pullside power should play pretty quickly when he first sees pro pitching. That right-handed swing can get a bit long, so tightening that up might be one of the early focuses for Washington¡¯s hitting instructors, but the pop alone gives them plenty of positives to work with.¡±
RHP Andry Lara (No. 17)
Age: 22
Signing class: 2019, $1.25 million (Nationals)
Major League ETA: 2026
Last season: High-A Wilmington, Double-A Harrisburg (added to 40-man roster in November)
2024 stats: 11-11, 3.34 ERA, 25 starts, 1 complete game, 134 2/3 innings
MLB Pipeline: ¡°Lara¡¯s mid-80s slider has helped drive his return to K form in ¡¯24. The pitch stands out more for its vertical drop than its sweep, and Lara can consistently wear out the gloveside corner to get whiffs below opposing bats. His upper-80s changeup doesn¡¯t show a ton of separation from the fastball but shows enough running armside action to make it a possible average offering.¡±
SS Rafael Ramirez Jr. (No. 20)
Age: 19
Signing class: 2022, $800,000 (Guardians)
Major League ETA: 2027
Last season: Single-A Lynchburg, Single-A Fredericksburg (acquired from Cleveland in Lane Thomas trade)
2024 stats: 71 games, .183/.299/.306, .605 OPS, 13 doubles, 4 home runs, 23 RBIs, 7 steals
MLB Pipeline: ¡°At least 15 pounds heavier than his listed 159, Ramirez has the developing strength and the bat speed to produce 15-20 homers per season. He already displays the aptitude for turning on pitches and launching them in the air. ¡ Like many sons of former big leaguers, Ramirez has a high baseball IQ. He's an average runner who gets the most out of his speed on the bases.¡±
OF Cristhian Vaquero (No. 23)
Age: 20
Signing class: 2022, $4.925 million (Nationals)
Major League ETA: 2027
Last season: Single-A Fredericksburg
2024 stats: 103 games, .190/.291/.303, .594 OPS, 5 home runs, 32 RBIs, 29 stolen bases
MLB Pipeline: ¡°Vaquero is a true plus-plus runner who should constantly give pitchers and catchers something to think about on the basepaths. His wheels also serve him well in center, and he has enough arm strength for right. ¡ Vaquero still projects for above-average power as he matures. It'll take some offensive development to get there, however, on top of the physical. Vaquero remains more advanced from the left side (where he has a more open stance) as he acclimates to switch-hitting.¡±
SS Kevin Made (No. 25)
Age: 22
Signing class: 2019, $1.5 million (Cubs)
Major League ETA: 2025
Last season: High-A Wilmington, Double-A Harrisburg (acquired from Chicago in ¡®23 Jeimer Candelario trade)
2024 stats: 93 games, .220/.326/.300, .626 OPS, 18 doubles, two home runs, 13 stolen bases
MLB Pipeline: ¡°Made has the first step, reactions and hands to remain at shortstop, and his plus arm would certainly play at third, where the Cubs gave him some run. He could also slide over to second without issue. Made could be a future utility man with that glove, but offensive work remains to get him there.¡±