A post-April look at the Nationals’ organizational depth chart, and who we should know

Posted on May 4, 2026 by Ryan MacReynolds

Since we don’t have any baseball to enjoy today (at least from our organization), I wanted to take this opportunity to do a deep dive at every position and just take a look at what the Nationals have at every spot and every level, from the Washington Nationals on down to the Fredericksburg Nationals. I’ll warn everyone right off the bat, if you’re not a numbers person, this may not be the article for you. Stats junkies, on the other hand, welcome to paradise, my friends! I am going to do as much as I can to keep my opinions out and let the numbers speak for themselves, but as closely as I’m attempting to cover the minor leagues in tandem with the big league squad this season, I think it’s important to do this a couple of times throughout the year to give you all a better idea of who these guys might be. Last note, the positions I assign each player to are my best estimate or projection. Most guys are versatile and could be at a completely new spot any given week, so don’t worry too much over that. I hope you guys enjoy!

Catcher

The catcher position, I believe, is without a doubt the most worrisome spot on the diamond for not just the big league team, but really throughout most of the Nationals’ system. It’s very easy to sit back and complain about having to watch Keibert Ruiz and Drew Millas every day, but when you look at the guys in line behind them, the outlook doesn’t look all that great either. As it stands currently, the Nats have three catchers in the organization with a batting average at or above .250. All three of those are in Double-A or lower, as well. But it is still early in the season, there’s no reason to lose hope in Harry Ford, or to not be excited about what guys like Maxwell Romero, Caleb Lomavita, and Sir Jamison Jones are all doing.

MLB Level

  • Keibert Ruiz (Age 27): 62 ABs, .194 BA, .538 OPS, 1 HR, 9 RBIs
  • Drew Millas (Age 28): 54 ABs, .148 BA, .405 OPS, 0 HR, 3 RBIs

Triple-A Level

  • Riley Adams (Age 29): 37 ABs, .216 BA, .704 OPS, 2 HR, 5 RBIs
  • Harry Ford (Age 23, #3 ranked Nats’ prospect): 84 ABs, .179 BA, .500 OPS, 0 HR, 3 RBIs

Double-A Level

  • Maxwell Romero Jr (Age 25): 46 ABs, .283 BA, .932 OPS, 3 HR, 11 RBIs
  • Caleb Lomavita (Age 23, #27 ranked Nats’ prospect): 64 ABs, .250 BA, .800 OPS, 2 HR, 10 RBIs

High-A Level

  • Kevin Bazzell (Age 23): Currently injured, minimal production in 18 ABs so far
  • Caleb Farmer (Age 26): 25 ABs, .280 BA, .707 OPS, 0 HR, 3 RBIs
  • Matt Suggs (Age 25): 39 ABs, .205 BA, .634 OPS, 0 HR, 2 RBIs
  • Nate Rombach (Age 25): 22 ABs, .045 BA, .170 OPS, 0 HR, 0 RBI

Low-A Level

First Base

This is a position that was looked at as a serious area of need for the Nationals over this past offseason, and while not much was done externally to bring in answers to that puzzle, a look at what we have internally gives good clarity as to the hope we can have here. At nearly every level of the minor leagues, we have guys putting up strong numbers at the first base position, all jockeying to try and be the next great everyday first baseman for the Nationals.

MLB Level

  • Luis Garcia Jr. (Age 25): 107 ABs, .234 BA, .595 OPS, 1 HR, 16 RBIs
  • Curtis Mead (Age 25): 71 ABs, .211 BA, .760 OPS, 4 HR, 12 RBIs

Triple-A Level

  • Abimelec Ortiz (Age 24, #24 ranked Nats’ prospect): 100 ABs, .250 BA, .810 OPS, 3 HR, 22 RBIs
  • Andres Chaparro (Age 27): 89 ABs, .247 BA, .781 OPS, 5 HR, 13 RBIs

Double-A Level

  • Sam Brown (Age 24): 79 ABs, .278 BA, .833 OPS, 1 HR, 10 RBIs

High-A Level

  • Hunter Hines (Age 23): 60 ABs, .150 BA, .423 OPS, 1 HR, 7 RBIs

Low-A Level

  • Juan Cruz (Age 21): 65 ABs, .246 BA, .644 OPS, 1 HR, 14 RBIs
  • Jacob Walsh (Age 23): 67 ABs, .239 BA, .929 OPS, 4 HR, 13 RBIs

Second Base

A position that’s felt like a revolving door for the Nationals since the Daniel Murphy days has been second. In today’s age of drafting shortstop after shortstop and just placing them wherever there’s a need, it’s hard to project who exactly could be moved to second base if they were to rise up to the big league ranks, but I did my best here.

MLB Level

  • Nasim Nunez (Age 25): 99 ABs, .222 BA, .557 OPS, 0 HR, 12 RBIs
  • Jose Tena (Age 25): 56 ABs, .268 BA, .710 OPS, 1 HR, 8 RBIs

Triple-A Level

Double-A Level

  • Kevin Made (Age 23): Currently on the 60-Day IL
  • Kervin Pichardo (Age 24): 54 ABs, .296 BA, .932 OPS, 2 HR, 9 RBIs
  • Marcus Brown (Age 24, just promoted from High-A): 40 ABs, .200 BA, .539 OPS, 0 HR, 4 RBIs (stats combined between High-A and Double-A)

High-A Level

  • Gavin Dugas (Age 25): Currently rehabbing an injury, hasn’t played yet this season
  • Devin Fitz-Gerald (Age 20, #9 ranked Nats’ prospect): 92 ABs, .293 BA, .946 OPS, 3 HR, 16 RBIs

Low-A Level

  • Everett Cooper (Age 22): Currently on the 60-day IL
  • Gavin Fien (Age 19, #5 ranked Nats’ prospect): 17 ABs, .118 BA, .387 OPS, 0 HR, 2 RBIs (has missed the past few weeks with a hand injury)
  • Luke Dickerson (Age 20, #8 ranked Nats’ prospect): 101 ABs, .267 BA, .856 OPS, 3 HR, 22 RBI

Shortstop

Perhaps the hottest topic throughout the past year or so has been whether or not CJ Abrams can stick at short and be the long-term captain of the infield for the Nationals. This is one of the first positions we’ve gone over where I really just have positives to report, CJ has definitely brought his game to a new level this season, but there’s also a multitude of great options behind him as well!

MLB Level

  • CJ Abrams (Age 25): 118 ABs, .297 BA, .940 OPS, 8 HR, 27 RBIs

Triple-A Level

  • Trey Lipscomb (Age 25): 96 ABs, .240 BA, .676 OPS, 3 HR, 12 RBIs

Double-A Level

  • Seaver King (Age 23, #7 ranked Nats’ prospect): 98 ABs, .306 BA, .969 OPS, 5 HR, 21 RBIs

High-A Level

  • Ronny Cruz (Age 19, #25 ranked Nats’ prospect): 99 ABs, .343 BA, 1.065 OPS, 6 HR, 24 RBIs (stats are combined between High-A and Low-A)
  • Angel Feliz (Age 19, #23 ranked Nats’ prospect): 99 ABs, .222 BA, .623 OPS, 1 HR, 18 RBIs

Low-A Level

  • Eli Willits (Age 18, #1 ranked Nats’ prospect): 102 ABs, .275 BA, .870 OPS, 3 HR, 17 RBIs

Third Base

This is a really pivotal season for the Nationals, especially at the third base position. Brady House is in his first full big league season as the everyday third baseman for the Nats, and there’s been a very mixed bag of results. Luckily, there are plenty of challengers making some noise in the minor leagues who may soon get an opportunity at the higher levels, or who can at least apply some pressure to House and force him to levels far greater than where he is now.

MLB Level

  • Brady House (Age 22): 118 ABs, .229 BA, .653 OPS, 4 HR, 15 RBIs
  • Jorbit Vivas (Age 25): 69 ABs, .261 BA, .654 OPS, 0 HR, 3 RBIs

Triple-A Level

  • Yo-Yo Morales (Age 24, #28 ranked Nats’ prospect): 103 ABs, .330 BA, .917 OPS, 5 HR, 16 RBIs

Double-A Level

High-A Level

  • Randal Diaz (Age 22): 65 ABs, .185 BA, .688 OPS, 3 HR, 11 RBIs
  • Jorgelys Mota (Age 20): 17 ABs, .294 BA, .723 OPS, 0 HR, 5 RBIs (Currently on the 7-day IL)

Low-A Level

  • Coy James (Age 19, #17 ranked Nats’ prospect): 86 ABs, .198 BA, .727 OPS, 4 HR, 20 RBIs
  • Rafael Ramirez Jr. (Age 20): 41 ABs, .244 BA, .748 OPS, 0 HR, 4 RBIs

Outfield

This is where our charts start to get a little bit clogged, and where my opinions certainly may start leaking in. Because so many guys are interchangeable and can really play anywhere in the outfield, we’re going to just do one outfield chart per level, and will rank the guys in order of production. This should be one of the more positive sections to look at, as the Nationals have always been good with outfield development, and this year is no different. I would also expect to find some pretty solid numbers from guys you may have never heard of before, that’s the fun of these articles!

MLB Level

  • James Wood (Age 23): 134 ABs, .231 BA, .890 OPS, 10 HR, 24 RBIs
  • Daylen Lile (Age 23): 138 ABs, .246 BA, .681 OPS, 3 HR, 14 RBIs
  • Joey Weimer (Age 27): 58 ABs, .310 BA, .946 OPS, 3 HR, 8 RBIs
  • Jacob Young (Age 26): 112 ABs, .232 BA, .601 OPS, 2 HR, 15 RBIs

Triple-A Level

  • Andrew Pinckney (Age 25, #19 ranked Nats’ prospect): 89 ABs, .270 BA, .822 OPS, 4 HR, 19 RBIs
  • Dylan Crews (Age 24): 112 ABs, .259 BA, .774 OPS, 4 HR, 14 RBIs
  • Christian Franklin (Age 26, #18 ranked Nats’ prospect): 104 ABs, .269 BA, .710 OPS, 0 HR, 7 RBIs
  • Robert Hassell III (Age 24): 85 ABs, .259 BA, .690 OPS, 1 HR, 9 RBIs

Double-A Level

  • Sam Petersen (Age 23, #22 ranked Nats’ prospect): 88 ABs, .216 BA, .789 OPS, 4 HR, 15 RBIs
  • Branden Boissiere (Age 26): Unfortunately was placed on the 60-Day IL after a great start to the season
  • Leandro Pineda (Age 23): 87 ABs, .218 BA, .662 OPS, 2 HR, 6 RBIs
  • Johnathon Thomas (Age 26): 73 ABs, .288 BA, .778 OPS, 0 HR, 10 RBIs
  • Jack Rogers (Age 27): 72 ABs, .167 BA, .507 OPS, 0 HR, 8 RBIs (Currently on the 10-Day IL)

High-A Level

  • Ethan Petry (Age 21, #12 ranked Nats’ prospect): 86 ABs, .314 BA, .961 OPS, 4 HR, 21 RBIs
  • T.J. White (Age 22): 67 ABs, .224 BA, .843 OPS, 4 HR, 10 RBIs
  • Elijah Nunez (Age 24): 59 ABs, .271 BA, .801 OPS, 1 HR, 10 RBIs
  • Elijah Green (Age 22): 99 ABs, .172 BA, .663 OPS, 6 HR, 16 RBIs
  • Cristhian Vaquero (Age 21): 48 ABs, .229 BA, .538 OPS, 0 HR, 1 RBI
  • Teo Banks (Age 22): 19 ABs, .211 BA, .691 OPS, 0 HR, 2 RBIs

Low-A Level

  • Yeremy Cabrera (Age 20, #20 ranked Nats’ prospect): 91 ABs, .297 BA, 1.022 OPS, 5 HR, 16 RBIs
  • Jack Moroknek (Age 22): 64 ABs, .344 BA, 1.019 OPS, 3 HR, 15 RBIs
  • Jordan Williams (Age 25): 33 ABs, .303 BA, .909 OPS, 1 HR, 6 RBIs
  • Nick Peoples (Age 21): 69 ABs, .217 BA, .792 OPS, 3 HR, 13 RBIs

Starting Pitching

Now we really get to have some fun. This rotation for Washington has been under constant construction since the 2019 championship season, and the final form is far from near. That being said, we have some serious pieces stashed within this organization that WILL have an opportunity to move up and potentially even see themselves on the mound at Nationals Park in the coming seasons.

MLB Level

  • Foster Griffin (Age 30): 39.2 innings, 2.27 ERA, 33 strikeouts, 1.08 WHIP
  • Cade Cavalli (Age 27): 30.2 innings, 3.82 ERA, 38 strikeouts, 1.66 WHIP
  • Jake Irvin (Age 29): 34.2 innings, 4.93 ERA, 39 strikeouts, 1.30 WHIP
  • Zack Littell (Age 30): 32.1 innings, 7.24 ERA, 17 strikeouts, 1.61 WHIP
  • Miles Mikolas (Age 37): 27.1 innings, 8.23 ERA, 19 strikeouts, 1.72 WHIP

Triple-A Level

  • Chandler Champlain (Age 26): 26.0 innings, 3.12 ERA, 21 strikeouts, 0.96 WHIP
  • Andry Lara (Age 23): 27.1 innings, 3.95 ERA, 32 strikeouts, 1.21 WHIP
  • Riley Cornelio (Age 25): 21.1 innings, 4.22 ERA, 32 strikeouts, 1.31 WHIP
  • Luis Perales (Age 23, #6 ranked Nats’ prospect): 20.2 innings, 4.35 ERA, 17 strikeouts, 1.31 WHIP)
  • Andrew Alvarez (Age 26): 29.1 innings, 5.22 ERA, 37 strikeouts, 1.36 WHIP

Double-A Level

  • Jackson Kent (Age 23, #14 ranked Nats’ prospect): 13.1 innings, 2.70 ERA, 17 strikeouts, 0.90 WHIP
  • Shinnosuke Ogasawara (Age 28): 24 innings, 3.75 ERA, 30 strikeouts, 1.33 WHIP
  • Davian Garcia (Age 22): 16 innings, 5.06 ERA, 15 strikeouts, 1.81 WHIP
  • Kyle Luckham (Age 26): 30.1 innings, 5.34 ERA, 29 strikeouts, 1.52 WHIP
  • Alex Clemmey (Age 20, #11 ranked Nats’ prospect): 19.2 innings, 5.95 ERA, 24 strikeouts, 1.73 WHIP
  • Alejandro Rosario (Age 24, #15 ranked Nats’ prospect): Out for the season
  • Tyler Stuart (Age 26): Currently on the 60-Day IL
  • Jarlin Susana (Age 22, #4 ranked Nats’ prospect): Currently on the 60-Day IL
  • Eriq Swan (Age 24, #26 ranked Nats’ prospect): Currently on the 7-Day IL
  • Travis Sykora (Age 22, #2-ranked Nats’ prospect): Currently on the 60-Day IL

High-A Level

  • Josh Randall (Age 23): 23.1 innings, 2.70 ERA, 21 strikeouts, 0.81 WHIP
  • Isaac Lyon (Age 22): 16.2 innings, 2.70 ERA, 15 strikeouts, 1.08 WHIP
  • Riley Maddox (Age 23): 25.1 innings, 3.91 ERA, 25 strikeouts, 1.34 WHIP
  • Yoel Tejeda Jr (Age 22): 23 innings, 5.48 ERA, 23 strikeouts, 1.57 WHIP
  • Bryan Polanco (Age 24): 17.2 innings, 7.13 ERA, 20 strikeouts, 1.58 WHIP
  • Travis Sthele (Age 24): Currently on the 7-Day IL

Low-A Level

  • Carson Fischer (Age 23): 21 innings, 1.71 ERA, 15 strikeouts, 1.14 WHIP
  • Landon Harmon (Age 19, #10 ranked Nats’ prospect): 14.1 innings, 1.88 ERA, 11 strikeouts, 0.91 WHIP
  • Alexander Meckley (Age 22): 24.2 innings, 2.19 ERA, 29 strikeouts, 1.18 WHIP
  • Miguel Sime (Age 18, #16 ranked Nats’ prospect): 14.2 innings, 3.07 ERA, 32 strikeouts, 1.16 WHIP
  • Leuris Portorreal (Age 20): 21 innings, 5.14 ERA, 11 strikeouts, 1.52 WHIP

The Bullpens

It’s no secret that the bullpen has been one of the defining weaknesses of Nationals teams, honestly since I became a fan. This year it’s been a lot less of a coherent bullpen, and more of a revolving door at the big league level. Despite all of that, the purpose of this article is hope, so that’s exactly what we’re going to try and find.

MLB Level

  • Richard Lovelady (Age 30): 14.1 innings, 2.51 ERA, 13 strikeouts, 1.67 WHIP
  • Paxton Schultz (Age 28): 11 innings, 3.27 ERA, 11 strikeouts, 1.18 WHIP
  • Gus Varland (Age 29): 13.1 innings, 3.38 ERA, 14 strikeouts, 1.35 WHIP
  • PJ Poulin (Age 29): 17.1 innings, 3.63 ERA, 12 strikeouts, 1.33 WHIP
  • Brad Lord (Age 26): 23.2 innings, 3.80 ERA, 16 strikeouts, 1.23 WHIP
  • Mitchell Parker (Age 26): 13.1 innings, 4.05 ERA, 12 strikeouts, 1.13 WHIP
  • Orlando Ribalta (Age 28): 3 innings, 0.00 ERA, 2 strikeouts, 0.33 WHIP
  • Andre Granillo (Age 25): 7.1 innings, 7.36 ERA, 3 strikeouts, 2.32 WHIP

Triple-A Level

  • Trevor Gott (Age 33): 14 innings, 3.21 ERA, 12 strikeouts, 1.29 WHIP
  • Jackson Rutledge: 13.1 innings, 3.38 ERA, 9 strikeouts, 1.50 WHIP
  • Julian Fernandez (Age 30): 10.2 innings, 3.38 ERA, 10 strikeouts, 1.03 WHIP
  • Zak Kent (Age 28): 10.2 innings, 3.38 ERA, 12 strikeouts, 1.59 WHIP
  • Seth Shuman (Age 28): 14.2 innings, 5.52 ERA, 15 strikeouts, 1.50 WHIP
  • Jack Sinclair (Age 27): 14 innings, 5.79 ERA, 19 strikeouts, 1.71 WHIP
  • Eddy Yean (Age 24): 14 innings, 5.79 ERA, 13 strikeouts, 1.14 WHIP
  • Zach Penrod (Age 28): 10.2 innings, 5.91 ERA, 14 strikeouts, 2.72 WHIP
  • Erik Tolman (Age 26): 9.2 innings, 8.38 ERA, 16 strikeouts, 1.76 WHIP

Double-A Level

  • Erick Mejia (Age 31): 8.2 innings, 1.04 ERA, 12 strikeouts, 1.62 WHIP
  • Luke Young (Age 24): 16.2 innings, 1.62 ERA, 21 strikeouts, 1.02 WHIP
  • Connor Van Scoyoc (Age 26): 19.1 innings, 2.33 ERA, 22 strikeouts, 1.14 WHIP
  • Jared Simpson (Age 25): 12.1 innings, 3.65 ERA, 17 strikeouts, 1.78 WHIP
  • Chance Huff (Age 26): 13.1 innings, 4.05 ERA, 16 strikeouts, 1.65 WHIP
  • Thomas Schultz (Age 26): 12.1 innings, 4.38 ERA, 16 strikeouts, 1.38 WHIP
  • Sandy Gaston (Age 24): 15.1 innings, 5.28 ERA, 14 strikeouts, 1.30 WHIP
  • Holden Powell (Age 26): 13.1 innings, 6.08 ERA, 11 strikeouts, 1.73 WHIP
  • Valentin Linarez (Age 26): 8.2 innings, 8.31 ERA, 9 strikeouts, 1.96 WHIP
  • Marquis Grissom Jr (Age 24): 4.1 innings, 8.31 ERA, 3 strikeouts, 2.31 WHIP

High-A Level

  • Brady Hill (Age 25): 12.1 innings, 0.73 ERA, 17 strikeouts, 0.73 WHIP
  • Robert Cranz (Age 22): 13.2 innings, 2.63 ERA, 23 strikeouts, 1.24 WHIP
  • Euri Montero (Age 24): 11.2 innings, 3.09 ERA, 9 strikeouts, 1.80 WHIP
  • Pablo Aldonis (Age 24): 15 innings, 3.60 ERA, 19 strikeouts, 1.07 WHIP
  • Eiker Huizi (Age 25): 11.2 innings, 3.86 ERA, 13 strikeouts, 1.37 WHIP
  • Gavin Bruni (Age 23): 17.1 innings, 5.19 ERA, 22 strikeouts, 1.44 WHIP
  • Austin Amaral (Age 24): 8.1 innings, 5.40 ERA, 6 strikeouts, 2.16 WHIP
  • Merrick Baldo (Age 25): 12.2 innings, 7.82 ERA, 12 strikeouts, 1.58 WHIP
  • Yeuris Jimenez (Age 25): 11.1 innings, 7.94 ERA, 14 strikeouts, 1.76 WHIP
  • Julian Tonghini (Age 24): 10.2 innings, 8.44 ERA, 15 strikeouts, 1.88 WHIP
  • Adam Boucher (Age 24): 10 innings, 10.80 ERA, 12 strikeouts, 2.10 WHIP

Low-A Fredericksburg

  • Jared Beck (Age 25): 15.1 innings, 2.35 ERA, 22 strikeouts, 1.57 WHIP
  • Bryant Olson (Age 23): 11.1 innings, 2.38 ERA, 21 strikeouts, 1.15 WHIP
  • Grant Manning (Age 25): 18.2 innings, 2.41 ERA, 26 strikeouts, 1.18 WHIP
  • Nolan Hughes (Age 24): 7 innings, 2.57 ERA, 17 strikeouts, 1.71 WHIP
  • Jacob Roberts (Age 24): 11 innings, 3.27 ERA, 18 strikeouts, 1.36 WHIP
  • Cesar Rojas (Age 23): 10.2 innings, 5.06 ERA, 13 strikeouts, 1.50 WHIP
  • Luke Johnson (Age 24): 15.2 innings, 5.74 ERA, 12 strikeouts, 1.72 WHIP
  • Jonah Conradt (Age 21): 10.1 innings, 6.10 ERA, 11 strikeouts, 1.55 WHIP
  • Ryan Minckler (Age 23): 14 innings, 6.43 ERA, 18 strikeouts, 1.64 WHIP
  • Levi Huesman (Age 22): 7.1 innings, 7.36 ERA, 7 strikeouts, 1.91 WHIP
  • Liam Sullivan (Age 23): 13.1 innings, 9.45 ERA, 9 strikeouts, 2.03 WHIP

Well, if you’ve made it this far I truly salute you. There’s so many reasons I can list as to why I think this is helpful to do. The main theme of this article and every article I write is hope, and my prayer is that you’ve gained some over the course of this deep dive. The future is bright, we have some serious pieces, and with our system already looking dramatically better than it did a year ago today, just how good can you imagine it’ll get under Paul Toboni and company? And lastly, I love to get these minor league guys out there and loved as much as possible, these guys grind every day at a level we can’t imagine, and receive very little praise or recognition for it. I hope you guys enjoyed doing this with me, and I hope you all discovered a couple of new players that piqued your interest in following!

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