The best offseason stage

The Arizona Fall League puts top prospects from every organization on the same fields, competing with and against each other once the minor league season ends.

Washington already saw it work

Infielder Seaver King and lefty Jake Bennett both turned heads in the desert last year, so the Nationals know what these extra reps can do.

King found his tools again

Coming off a disappointing minor league season, King flashed the ability that made him a first-round pick.

Bennett became a trade chip

A back-end starter prospect broke out in Arizona, and that showing let Washington flip him for high-upside right-hander Luis Perales.

Now it's Susana's turn

The Nationals are hoping for a repeat with Jarlin Susana, who is heading to the AFL after returning from an extended absence following lat surgery.

Strikeouts by the fistful

Since coming back on Aug. 11, Susana has 34 strikeouts in 17 2/3 innings over seven starts split between High-A Wilmington and Double-A Harrisburg.

Ignore the ERA for now

His ERA sits at 5.09, but the fastball is back in triple digits and the slider is still a wipeout pitch after surgery. That combination is the real signal.

A jump to Triple-A

Washington reportedly promoted Susana to Triple-A Rochester to finish the season, a meaningful step for a pitcher just weeks removed from his return.

The big leagues are close

Depending on how the winter and spring training go, Susana could be pitching in the majors at some point next year.

“he could find himself pitching in The Show at some point next year”

Eighth best in the field

MLB Pipeline ranks Susana No. 67 overall, making him the eighth-best prospect in this year's AFL. Twelve top-100 prospects are taking part.

Who ranks ahead of him

Eduardo Quintero, Zyhir Hope, Caleb Bonemer, Arjun Nimmala, Bryce Rainer, Tate Southisene and Nathan Flewelling all sit above Susana on Pipeline's list.

Meet the Salt River Rafters

Washington shares a roster with the Diamondbacks, Rockies, Twins and Yankees. That group makes up the Salt River Rafters.

Five longshots join him

Teo Banks, Noah Dean, Nolan Hughes, Jorgelys Mota and R.J. Sales round out the group. None rank in Washington's top 30, so this is their chance to be noticed.

Banks needs power

The 2024 18th-rounder out of Tulane hit .251/.333/.375 in 92 games at Wilmington, with only six homers and 21 extra-base hits. He has landed on the developmental list twice.

Dean is a reclamation project

Paul Toboni drafted him in Boston's fifth round in 2022, then picked him up after the Red Sox released him. Dean posted a 9.00 ERA at Harrisburg before a 60-day IL move on Sept. 8.

Hughes lost a season

The lefty opened with a 2.57 ERA, 17 strikeouts in seven innings and an .087 average against, with 10 walks. He hit the injured list May 7 and never pitched again.

Mota needs the reps

Injuries held the 21-year-old to 36 games. He has a long development road ahead, and the fall is about building momentum into next season.

Sales wants a reset

Acquired from Detroit in the Kyle Finnegan trade, he missed most of the year with an arm injury. Back on Aug. 9, he put up a 4.61 ERA with 16 strikeouts and four walks in 13 2/3 innings.

A fall that decides futures

For Susana, Arizona is a showcase before a likely big league debut. For the other five, it is a last clear look before the organization makes decisions.