Organizational Talent Rankings via Baseball America
2013 (13) | 2012 (1) | 2011 (14) | 2010 (24) | 2009 (21)
2013 Affiliate Records
MLB: [86-76] NL East
AAA: [66-78] International League – Syracuse
AA: [77-65] Eastern League – Harrisburg
A+: [84-55] Carolina League – Potomac
A: [80-57] South Atlantic League – Hagerstown
A(ss): [26-49] New York-Penn League — Auburn
Graduated Prospects
Anthony Rendon (2B/3B); Tanner Roark (RHP); Taylor Jordan (RHP)
The Run Down
Once again, the Nationals are sporting an exciting group of prospects, with fantasy intrigue at every level of the org. Even after graduating Anthony Rendon and Taylor Jordan, and then trading away Robbie Ray, this Washington farm is still primed to churn out big league productivity for the next handful of years. If there’s a weakness to this top ten, it’s that a handful of the prospects listed are on the wrong side of the age curve, developmentally. That sort of trend needs to be considered on a case-by-case basis. You can’t write a prospect off simply because he’s 25 — there are other variables to consider. And having had the chance to weigh the risk, I’m not overly concerned with that aspect of the Nationals farm.
Top Ten Fantasy Prospects
1. Lucas Giolito, RHP: Drafted 16th overall in 2012, Giolito hasn’t yet had the opportunity to showcase his impressive skill set on the professional stage. The 6-foot-6, 225 lb righty underwent Tommy John surgery late in the 2012 season, returning to action in 2013, but in a very limited capacity. To-date, Giolito has appeared in only 12 games as pro, none of which were above the short-season level. That will change this season, as the 19-year-old, finally fully healthy, will step up to Low-A Hagerstown for his first taste of full-season baseball. Giolito has the combination of size and stuff that scouts go bonkers over — he’s one of only a handful of prospects that profile as big league aces. His usage will be monitored closely given the lack of innings over the past couple years, but if the Nats are inclined to push the pace, this is the sort of arm who could breeze through class-A and reach the upper levels before year’s end. ETA: 2016
2. A.J. Cole, RHP: Cole got off to a bit of a slow start at High-A Potomac in 2013, but began turning things around in May, and found himself in Double-A before the end of July. His line at Harrisburg (2.18/0.90/49 in 45 IP) reflects just how well the 22-year-old was throwing down the stretch. With a plus-plus fastball, Cole hasn’t yet needed to rely much on his secondary stuff in order to be effective, but that will change in 2014 as he settles in for a full year in the upper levels. If the off-speed stuff takes a step forward, Cole will be looking like a #2 type starter. As it stands, he projects like a solid mid-rotation arm, with good whiff potential for the fantasy game. ETA: Late 2014
3. Brian Goodwin, OF: In a full season at Double-A, Goodwin hit .252/.355/.407 with 10 HR and 19 SB. He’s always been a toolsy prospect with exciting potential for fantasy purposes, but his production has suffered since he arrived at Double-A late in 2012, and it’s fair to wonder if his 20/20 projection is still attainable. I think Goodwin can still reach that level as a big leaguer, but at age 23, he needs to show us something soon. ETA: Late 2014
4. Michael Taylor, OF: In his second full season at the High-A level, Taylor batted .263/.340/.426 with 10 HR and 51 SB. With pop in his bat and outstanding speed, the 22-year-old’s fantasy potential is quite clear. Still, there are plenty of questions surrounding his hit tool, and some evaluators don’t see him amounting to much more than a fourth outfielder. Taylor’s production at Double-A in 2014 should go a long way in determining just how excited we should be about him. ETA: 2015
5. Steven Souza, OF: Souza is another outfielder with a noteworthy combination of power and speed. At Harrisburg in 2013, he knocked 15 homers and stole 20 bases, all while posting a slash line at .300/.396/.557. His prospect status is still being harmed by a 2011 PED suspension, but it’s probably unwise to ignore Souza’s tools. He should be ready to contribute at the highest level at some point this season. ETA: 2014
6. Nate Karns, RHP: Karns’s fastball/curve combo has been an extremely effective weapon in the minors, and thanks to it, the 26-year-old has piled up whiffs over the last two seasons. Now, I know you’re thinking that 26-years-old is a little long in the tooth to be considered an exciting prospect, but this is a unique case in that the early seasons of his career were almost entirely lost to injury. I like Karns, and I think his arm will play either as a mid-rotation starter, or as a late-innings asset. Either way, great whiff potential should bring fantasy relevance. ETA: 2014
7. Matt Skole, 1B/3B: After drilling 27 homers in 2012, Skole entered 2013 with big expectations, but an unfortunate collision during the first week of April left the 24-year-old badly injured, and headed for season-ending surgery. He’ll return to Double-A Harrisburg in 2014, looking to get his considerable power stroke back on track. ETA: 2015
8. Jake Johansen, RHP: Drafted in the 2nd round last June, Johansen stands 6-foot-6, and is an intimidating presence on the mound. As you might expect, the 23-year-old brings a power arsenal and his fastball is a weapon. If all goes well, he could develop into a Lance Lynn-type starter — perhaps better if the secondary stuff surprises us. ETA: 2016
9. Drew Ward, 3B: Ward was in quite the hurry to turn pro, graduating high school a year early in order to gain 2013 draft eligibility. The Nats took him in the 3rd round and quickly got him started at the complex level, where he posted a .789 OPS in 49 games. Ward has a long way to go, but he brings the upside of an above-average hitting 3B with good power. ETA: 2017
10. Zach Walters, SS: Walters batted .253/.286/.517 with HR in 521 PA at Triple-A Syracuse in 2013, earning himself a late-season cup-of-coffee with the big club. That sort of power from a premium position on the diamond is certainly exciting from a fantasy perspective, but with a 4% walk rate and a 26% whiff rate, the 24-year-old’s weaknesses are quite clear. He’ll need to refine his approach significantly if he expects to play regularly at the highest level. ETA: 2014
For a retrospective look at the Nationals farm, have a look at their 2013 MiLB preview.
