The Washington Nationals have been one of many greatest surprises in baseball this 12 months, coming into Thursday with a 41-40 document. The lineup has scored an MLB-leading 433 runs and have established themselves as one of many stronger lineups within the recreation.
Nevertheless, the Nationals have one obvious Achilles‘ heel. The bullpen, significantly within the ninth inning, has been their undoing. Nationals relievers entered Thursday with a 4.90 ERA, twenty seventh within the league, whereas main the majors with 23 blown saves. 9 completely different relievers have a minimum of one save because the Nationals have regarded to seek out consistency on the nearer function.
The reply could possibly be in Washington as quickly as this season. Prospect Jarlin Susana has missed your entire 2026 season after present process surgical procedure to restore his torn proper lat however has begun a throwing development on the Nationals spring coaching advanced.
Nationals prospect Jarlin Susana could have quick monitor to majors
Ranked because the Nationals‘ third-best prospect by MLB.com, Susana is taken into account to have among the finest fastballs and sliders within the minors. His fastball routinely sits between 98 and 101 mph, reaching as excessive as 103 mph. His slider sits within the higher 80s, with Susana in a position to manipulate its form between a sweeper and a extra conventional slider. He additionally throws a changeup which sits within the decrease 90s, however is a fringe providing at this level in his growth.
The largest knock on Susana has been his command. He has walked 4.8 batters per 9 innings in his skilled profession, a quantity that elevated to six.1/9 in his 11 appearances at Double-A in 2025. If he can enhance his command and enhance his changeup, Susana could possibly be a possible top-of-the-rotation arm.
There may be additionally one other path. Susana’s fastball and slider could possibly be a devastating mixture at the back of the Nationals bullpen. His arsenal compares favorably to nearer Aroldis Chapman, who started his skilled profession as a starter earlier than transitioning to the bullpen full-time in 2011.
Susana is working his method again from surgical procedure. If the Nationals are within the playoff race down the stretch and Susana is wholesome, his debut could come at the back of the Nationals bullpen.
