Six key building blocks for the Washington Nationals in 2027 and beyond

With the Washington Nationals eliminated from the postseason, eyes turn to 2027 and beyond as the franchise continues to work toward winning ways once again.

Outfielder James Wood and middle infielder CJ Abrams are obvious stars for the Nationals, but here are six other pieces that could be critically important during 2027 and beyond.

Cade Cavalli - SP

Cavalli's 2026 season has given the Nationals something they have desperately needed throughout their rebuild: a young starting pitcher who looks capable of anchoring a rotation.

After making just 11 starts in his first three major league seasons following Tommy John surgery, Cavalli finally put together a full season in 2026. The 28-year-old right-hander finished the regular season with a 3.12 ERA, 194 strikeouts and a 1.17 WHIP over 164.2 innings.

The Nationals rewarded Cavalli with a four-year contract extension through 2030, with an option in 2031, that includes $47 million guaranteed and $70 million if that option year is picked up. Cavalli takes over the ace role for the Nationals, who traded Foster Griffin away at the trade deadline and provides a key building block in the starting rotation.

Dylan Crews - OF

It is difficult to know exactly what the Nationals have in Crews right now, but it is far too early to give up on the former No. 2 overall pick.

Crews struggled enough during his first full major league season that Washington sent him to Triple-A to begin 2026. He earned his way back to the majors after hitting .308 with a .585 slugging percentage in 17 games with Rochester, and he reached base in 18 of his first 21 games after returning to Washington.

The results were still inconsistent, with Crews hitting .222 with 11 home runs and a .659 OPS in 2026. But the 24-year-old still possesses the five-tool ability that made him one of the top prospects in baseball.

The Nationals don't need Crews to become a superstar overnight, but finding a way to unlock the player they drafted second overall could have a major impact on the lineup moving forward.

Brady House - 3B

House had a rough time sticking in the big leagues, but the Nationals still believe he can be their third baseman for years to come.

The 23-year-old hit .240 with 10 home runs and a .696 OPS in 2026, while also spending time in Triple-A after Washington determined he needed more regular at-bats.

There is still plenty to like about House's offensive potential. He has the power to become a middle-of-the-order threat, while Washington also believes he has the defensive ability to become a strong infielder on the corner. The biggest question will be whether he can make enough contact and improve his approach to consistently tap into those tools at the major league level.

Daylen Lile - OF

Lile may not have the same prospect pedigree as Crews or House, but he has already shown that he can be a productive major league player.

The 23-year-old followed up his strong 2025 rookie season with another solid campaign in 2026. Lile hit .251 with 21 home runs, 85 RBI, 27 doubles, eight triples and 15 stolen bases while appearing in 151 games.

Lile's ability to contribute in multiple areas makes him particularly valuable to a Nationals team that still has plenty of questions surrounding its outfield. He doesn't need to become a star to be an important piece of Washington's future, but continued development at the plate could give the Nationals another legitimate everyday bat alongside Wood and Crews.

Travis Sykora - SP

Sykora's 2026 season was lost to Tommy John surgery, but that hasn't stopped him from remaining one of the most important prospects in the Nationals organization.

The 22-year-old right-hander dominated in his limited time at Double-A in 2025, posting a 1.79 ERA and striking out 79 batters in just 45.1 innings. For his minor league career, Sykora has 208 strikeouts in 130.1 innings.

Sykora's combination of a mid-to-upper-90s fastball, a plus splitter and a promising slider gives him the arsenal to become a frontline starter. MLB Pipeline currently ranks him as the No. 2 prospect in Washington's system and No. 51 overall in baseball.

The obvious question is how he will look when he returns from elbow surgery. If Sykora can regain his previous form, however, he could give the Nationals another high-end starting pitcher to pair with Cavalli.

Jarlin Susana - RP

Susana has one of the most electric arms in the Nationals organization, and his progress could have a major impact on Washington's future rotation.

The 22-year-old right-hander missed most of 2026 after undergoing lat surgery, but he returned to the mound in August and struck out 34 batters in 17.2 innings across seven rehab starts. He was promoted to Triple-A Rochester this week, giving him his first opportunity to pitch at that level.

Susana's fastball can reach triple digits, while his slider is considered one of the best breaking pitches in the Nationals system. MLB Pipeline gives both pitches 70 grades on the 20-80 scouting scale and ranks Susana as the No. 3 prospect in the organization and No. 67 overall.

There are still questions about his command and durability, particularly after missing most of this season. But if Susana can put everything together as a starter, the Nationals could have another potential high-end arm joining Cavalli and Sykora in the rotation.