Nationals Giving Jarlin Susana Shot as a Starter This Offseason

After closing the book on what ended up materializing into a productive year one under Paul Toboni and Blake Butera, the questions are beginning to mount as the Nationals have shifted to offseason mode, paving the way to address the multiple questions that became glaring through the 2026 regular season. That starts with pitching, yet part of that question sits with how some of the in-house options fare over the next six months.

The Nationals will at least be able to get another look at Jarlin Susana, ranked the third best prospect in the team's farm system, in the rotation after the 22 year old right handed pitcher was tabbed as a starter in the Arizona Fall League.

It marks a chance for Susana to showcase himself with skepticism among scouts that he can develop into a starting MLB pitcher as the Nationals' front office enters the offseason looking to rebuild its pitching staff. Yet for a prospect who ended the season with a promotion in Triple A Rochester, it's the type of offseason move that Susana needs to prove his lofty ranking and why he can becomes part of the solution, maybe as early as 2027. Whether he is also able to do so while easing any injury concerns could be what dictates his opportunity if spring training materializes.

Though the team ultimately fell, 5-3, Susana also appeared in the Triple A Championship with the Rochester Red Wings this past weekend where he tossed a pair of shutout innings while tossing one strikeout and giving up one hit. He was able to show his arm strength, though, having hit 104 mph on the radar in his final appearance.

Susana appeared in 20.1 innings and eight total games in 2026 while earning a career-high 6.20 ERA yet 1.43 WHIP. He also tossed more than double the number of strikeouts (37) than hits allowed (18) in an encouraging performance after battling back from a UCL sprain then lat surgery in 2025.

Across his five seasons during his professional career with 76 total appearances and 288.1 innings pitched, Susana owns a 4.18 ERA and 1.33 WHIP with 417 strikeouts against 230 hits allowed. Susana has tossed 289 strikeouts while allowing just 146 hits over his last three seasons and 46 games. Since returning from injury on Aug. 11, Susana registered double the number of strikeouts than innings pitched, adding to what makes him such an intriguing prospect within the organization.