How Nationals Prospects Fared in Arizona Fall League This Week

While the attention has shifted toward the offseason after the 2026 World Series wrapped up on Wednesday night, the Washington Nationals have only a handful of decisions to make along the roster with no pending free agents and no player or club options to resolve, setting the stage for the eight arbitration eligible players to resolve their contracts this offseason. Yet with the front office able to navigate through next steps and what moves to make ahead of year two under new leadership, the Nationals have been able to get a close look at several prospects suiting up in the Arizona Fall League, including a trio in action on Tuesday.

Right handed pitcher Jarlin Susana was back on the mound for his latest start on Tuesday, one of three prospects who suited up as the Salt River Rafters fell, 1-0, against the Glendale Desert Dogs midway through the Arizona Fall League.

Susana tossed five strikeouts and allowed one hit and one earned run across five innings, exiting his day with a 4.50 ERA on the season. After a pair of groundouts ended the first inning, Susana walked his first batter of the second inning before a balk advanced him to second base. After a second walk, the inning would end on a groundout into a double play, but not before the runner at third crossed the plate for what proved to be the game's lone run.

The third inning nearly spiraled into another scoring chance after allowing a runner to steal second, then advance to third on a wild pitch with two outs, before a groundout ended the threat. His day would end on a four-pitch at bat that resulted in a 102 mph four seam fastball, securing Susana's fifth and final strikeout of the day.

Susana wasn't the only one suiting up on Wednesday after right fielder Teo Banks went 0-for-3 with one strikeout in a deflating showing. Designated hitter and catcher Kevin Bazzell was able to register one of the team's five hits in the loss, ending his day with a 1-for-3 performance.

Both Banks and Bazzell were also in action on Wednesday as Banks recorded an RBI and hit across his three at bats, while Bazzell drew a pair of walks while also accounting for half of the Salt River Rafters' four runs in the 4-0 win. Bazzell now owns an OPS of 1.024 compared to Banks sitting at .992 ahead of Thursday.