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Standouts from Washington Nationals Farm System to Start 2026
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- Standouts from Washington Nationals Farm System to Start 2026
(© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
The motto of the Washington Nationals has always been homegrown. They’re one of the top teams that comes to mind when you think about where some of the best modern players got their start. Bryce Harper , Juan Soto , Stephen Strasburg… and of course the rising face of Washington James Wood. All spent time down on the Nationals’ farm. MLB.com ranks the Nationals minor league system only at 17th in the league. But there are still some gems across the farm that have been hot to start 2026.
Ronny Cruz
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Ronny Cruz feels like he came out of nowhere. A third round draft pick in 2024, Cruz came to the Nationals organization as part of the Michael Soroka trade with the Cubs. But the young shortstop picked up traction during Spring Training, and the ball is continuing to roll.
Cruz currently leads all Nats minor leaguers in batting average, hitting .370 across Single-A Fredericksburg and High-A Wilmington. He also leads in home runs with five, and RBIs with 19. Cruz spent time with the Nats this Spring Training, where manager Blake Butera had high praises. “It looks like he is not putting a lot of pressure on himself and just playing baseball,” Butera explained.
Seaver King
If there’s one thing Washington won’t run out of anytime soon, its shortstop prospects. Seaver King is another young infield asset who has been raking to start 2026. King came to the Nats in the first round of the 2024 draft, and is currently turning heads in Double-A Harrisburg. He is currently riding on a six-game hitting streak, and is hitting .278/.402/.542 with four home runs.
It seems like plate discipline is an important part of King’s game that he’s working on this season. He’s walking 11% more and swinging at 13% less pitches compared to his last season stats.
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Eli Willits
It would be wrong not to make a Nationals prospect list and not highlight the 2025 No. 1 pick. 18 year old Eli Willits is exceeding expectations with Single-A Fredericksburg to start 2026. He got off to a slow start, going 5-for-36 to begin the season. But he’s since found his footing, and currently is tied with Ronny Cruz for run leaders in the Nationals farm with 20. Willits also leads Nats minor leaguers in stolen bases with 16.
The Nationals gamble of taking Willits with their first overall pick is looking good so far, as he is currently ranked as MLB.com ’s No. 10 prospect, with other top 2025 draft names like Kade Anderson and Ethan Holliday sitting below him at 17 and 19, respectively.
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Yeremy Cabrera
Yeremy Cabrera is perhaps the name with the most quiet success on this list. He was one of the endless pieces that came over in the MacKenzie Gore trade with the Rangers, and he has been impressive in Single-A Fredericksburg this season. Cabrera leads all Nats minor leaguers in slugging, OPS, and OBP. His slash line sits at .296/.438/.606 to kick off 2026.
The 20 year old outfielder comes from the Dominican Republic, and was named the CAR Player of the Week on April 19. Even though he’s hitting well to begin the season, his strength lies in his defensive ability. His speed and natural instinct allow him to be a lockdown presence in center field. The ceiling is very, very high for this young prospect.
