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Top Overall Pick Eli Willits Has Speed to Burn in the Minor Leagues
The Washington Nationals drafted Eli Willits as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft and the Nationals shortstop prospect has done nothing to disappoint in his professional career. At age 18 at the High-A affiliate of Wilmington, Willits has split time between two minor league levels this season and has produced with a combined 13 homers and 61 RBI in 340 at bats to go with 91 runs scored and 52 stolen bases while hitting .274. The speed of Willits jumps off the page and he has a 60-grade run tool to go with a 60-grade hit tool and 50 grade power. At age 18, Willits is worth monitoring but more so in a dynasty league as it's likely he will need more minor league seasoning in redraft leagues. The young switch hitter looks like a future star but it might be a few more years before he reaches the major leagues.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Yohandy Morales an Intriguing Stash for Power
Washington Nationals corner infield prospect Yohandy Morales continues to produce at Triple-A Rochester, belting a home run in two of his last three games and drawing a walk in six straight contests, bringing his season-long slash line to .296/.373/.549 with 23 home runs. The Nats' 26th-ranked prospect's strikeout rate remains elevated at 25.3 percent, but it's an improvement over the 30.3 percent rate he registered at Triple-A in 2025. His power metrics such as average exit velocity, max exit velocity, barrel rate, and hard-hit rate all rank in the 91st percentile or better at Triple-A, so there is plenty of pop in his bat. Look for the former 40th-overall draft pick to get a shot in the majors in the coming weeks, and for fantasy managers in deeper 14+ team leagues searching the wire for home runs, the 24-year-old is a worthy stash option ahead of an eventual call-up.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Nationals Don't Expect James Wood to Return Later This Week
The Washington Nationals do not expect outfielder James Wood (oblique) to be ready to come off the 10-day injured list later this week when he's eligible, manager Blake Butera told Danielle Allentuck of The Washington Post. Wood took stationary dry balls and threw out to 45 feet over the weekend, and he will progress to taking dry swings on Tuesday. The left-handed power hitter has been on the shelf since suffering a left-oblique strain on Aug. 3. He's improving, but his return may not come until next week. In his absence, Dylan Crews has been starting regularly for the Nats in right field. Wood needs to be stashed in all fantasy baseball leagues while he recovers from his oblique injury as one of the best young all-around hitters in the game. Before his injury, the former second-rounder in 2021 was hitting .265 (116-for-437) with 30 home runs, 73 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 100 runs scored in just his second full season in the major leagues. He still leads the league in runs scored and walks (90) in his 114 games played.
Source: The Washington Post - Danielle Allentuck
Source: The Washington Post - Danielle Allentuck
Seaver King Showing Off Power Stroke at Triple-A
Washington Nationals infield prospect Seaver King is on a roll at Triple-A since his return from the injured list. The Nats' sixth-ranked prospect has at least one hit in six of eight games since his return to the Rochester lineup, including five hits in his last two games, which also include home runs in back-to-back contests. The former 10th-overall draft pick is now slashing .284/.361/.469 with seven home runs and four steals in 41 games with the Red Wings. The right-handed hitter's main defensive position of shortstop is blocked by CJ Abrams, but he's logged 12 games at second base this year, which offers another path to the majors, although the MLB stolen base leader Nasim Nunez is somewhat of a roadblock there as well. There is a chance for a late-season call-up, especially given his recent surge, and along with his decent power/speed combo, he is intriguing for fantasy. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on the 23-year-old, but there may be other more enticing stash options available on the wire.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Clayton Beeter Still Carries Deep-League Waiver-Wire Appeal
Across 36 innings (38 games) in 2026, Washington Nationals right-hander Clayton Beeter has recorded a 3.75 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with 37 strikeouts, 12 saves, and five wins. The 27-year-old has issues with both command (15.1% walk rate) and home runs (1.50 HR/9), which is a dangerous combination for a high-leverage reliever. Beeter's strikeout rate has also nosedived this season to 24.3%, down from 31.7% in 2025. Still, Washington has consistently relied on Beeter to work the ninth inning, especially of late. Across his last seven outings, Beeter has recorded four saves. Fantasy managers should be wary of Beeter's blow-up potential and should not expect him to provide high-end closer production. However, he remains a worthy deep-league waiver wire target for managers in need of saves.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Nationals Promoting Jackson Kent for MLB Debut This Week
The Washington Nationals are set to promote left-handed pitching prospect Jackson Kent this week before their series against the Chicago Cubs, sources told Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic. The Nationals' youth movement is at full tilt with the possibility of a playoff push front of mind, and Kent is the latest young player to get a look at the MLB level in D.C. Kent will fill the vacated rotation spot of right-hander Zack Littell, who was designated for assignment last week. The 23-year-old Kent has a crafty pitch mix and has seen a jump in velocity this year, making him a potentially interesting rotation addition in deeper fantasy leagues for the stretch run if he can pitch well enough to hold a rotation spot through September. At Double-A and Triple-A in 2026, Kent has posted a 3.72 ERA in 94 1/3 innings and could offer meaningful upside to Washington's pitching staff late in the year. The former fourth-rounder has impressed with his pitchability, command, and extension down on the farm. All four of Kent's pitches have missed bats at Rochester, striking out around 10 hitters per nine innings while walking just 2.9 per nine.
Source: The Athletic - Spencer Nusbaum
Source: The Athletic - Spencer Nusbaum
Seaver King Back Healthy Ahead of Big-League Audition
Washington Nationals shortstop prospect Seaver King has been back healthy and playing at Triple-A Rochester since July 30, trying to make a case for a late-season promotion to Washington. King missed almost all of July with a left oblique strain and has a homer and four RBI since his return to Rochester. King has a 70-grade run tool and a 50-grade hit tool as he could mix hitting and speed on the base paths. He has nine stolen bases this year in his injury-plagued season. He is the No. 4 prospect for the Nationals and might be more likely to make his MLB debut in 2027 after struggling with injuries this year. He looks like a dynasty league stash, but someone better left on the waiver wire in all redraft leagues. An injury-free opportunity next season might be well worth it for the talented 23-year-old out of Wake Forest.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Luis Perales Could Make Big-League Debut Soon
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Luis Perales could be nearing his big league debut, according to Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic. The 23-year-old came over in a trade with the Boston Red Sox this past offseason. He struggled to begin the season in Triple-A Rochester, but has pitched much better lately. Over his last eight starts, Perales owns a 2.79 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and a 41/25 K/BB ratio across nearly 40 innings of work. It wouldn't be shocking to see the Nats give some of their younger arms a chance if they fade from playoff contention down the stretch of the season. Perales is someone deep league managers should keep an eye on right now.
Source: The Athletic
Source: The Athletic
Clayton Beeter Remains a Viable Deep-League Saves Source Despite Recent Struggles
Across 33 innings (30 games) in 2026, Washington Nationals right-hander Clayton Beeter has recorded a 4.09 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 34 strikeouts, and 11 saves. The 27-year-old has run into some struggles of late, allowing six earned runs across his last 5 2/3 innings (six appearances). However, Beeter has also logged four saves in that span and appears to be the clear preferred option in the ninth inning for Washington. Beeter's underlying metrics hint at some warning signs, as he's posted a 14.8% walk rate and has allowed 1.64 HR/9. Still, he remains a worthy deep-league waiver wire target for fantasy managers in desperate need of saves.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Seaver King Settling Back in After Injured List Stint
Washington Nationals infield prospect Seaver King is settling back in at Triple-A Rochester after being sidelined for almost a month with an oblique injury. The Nats' sixth-ranked prospect is 4-for-15 (.267) with a pair of doubles and two walks in the four games since returning from the injured list. The right-handed hitter began the season at Double-A but has been at Triple-A since mid-May, and performed admirably for the Red Wings, recording a .274/.340/.438 slash line with five home runs and four steals in 37 games. The former first-round draft pick appeared to be on track for a big league debut in 2026, but with the lengthy IL stay, it may only be a cup of coffee in September assuming he gets going enough to warrant a call-up, otherwise the MLB debut may have to wait until 2027. As such, there is no need to stash the 23-year-old in fantasy leagues at the moment, but his dynasty value remains high.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Nationals Place James Wood on Injured List With Oblique Strain
The Washington Nationals placed outfielder James Wood (oblique) on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday with a mild oblique strain, according to Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic. Manager Blake Butera said the team hopes that Wood will have a close-to-minimum stay on the IL. The club is recalling outfielder Andrew Pinckney from the minors to replace Wood on the active MLB roster. It's not what Wood's fantasy managers want to hear, but the good news is that he'll have a shot to return when he's first eligible on Aug. 14. The 23-year-old left-handed slugger has been an All-Star in two of his three MLB seasons, and he currently leads the league in walks (90) and runs scored (100) while slashing .265/.393/.535 with a .928 OPS, 30 home runs, 73 RBI, and 17 stolen bases across 114 games and 535 plate appearances. Wood needs to be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues as one of the best five-category producers in the game in just his third season in the majors. He needs just two more home runs to set a new career high in that category after hitting 31 dingers in 2025.
Source: The Athletic - Spencer Nusbaum
Source: The Athletic - Spencer Nusbaum
James Wood Headed for MRI After Injuring Side on Monday
Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood (side) injured his left side on a swing in the sixth inning of his team's 6-3 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, per Mark Zuckerman of Nats Journal. While Wood stayed in the game and took another at-bat after the injury, Zuckerman reports that the 23-year-old is going for an MRI on Tuesday. Wood has been one of the better hitters in baseball in 2026, slashing .265/.393/.535 with 30 home runs, 73 RBI, 100 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases across 535 plate appearances. The young slugger has posted elite contact metrics, logging a 21.1% barrel rate and a 58.2% hard-hit rate. If Wood misses time, Nationals infielders Jose Tena and Andres Chaparro could be in line for more playing time at designated hitter.
Source: Nats Journal - Mark Zuckerman
Source: Nats Journal - Mark Zuckerman
Guardians Acquire Lefty Starter Foster Griffin From the Nationals
The Cleveland Guardians acquired left-hander Foster Griffin from the Washington Nationals on Monday, a source told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. The Athletic's Spencer Nusbaum reports that the Guardians are sending minor-league pitchers Will Dion, Josh Hartle, and Kendeglys Virguez, and outfielder Nick Mitchell to the Nationals. The 31-year-old veteran southpaw will head to the American League Central to bolster Cleveland's starting rotation alongside Gavin Williams, Parker Messick, Joey Cantillo, and Tanner Bibee. Griffin will become a free agent after the 2026 season, so he could end up just being a rental for the rest of this year. The former first-rounder by the Kansas City Royals in 2014 has gone 12-3 this year with a 3.06 ERA (4.09 FIP) and 1.07 WHIP with 116 strikeouts and 30 walks in 22 starts and 129 1/3 innings pitched in his first big-league season since 2022 after spending the last three years playing in Japan. Griffin is currently tied for fourth in baseball with his 12 wins, and he will definitely bolster the Guards' rotation down the stretch. The lefty allowed six earned runs in 5 1/3 innings in a loss to the Atlanta Braves his last time out last Friday, but Griffin had a strong stretch from June 5 through July 19 where he didn't allow more than an earned run in any of his eight starts for the Nats.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
Source: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
Yankees Acquire Luis Garcia Jr. From the Nationals
The New York Yankees are acquiring infielder Luis Garcia Jr. from the Washington Nationals on Sunday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. Per Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic, the Nationals will receive right-handers Ben Grable, Yovanny Cruz, Jack Cebert, and Jake Bird. The 26-year-old left-handed hitter leads the National League with a .560 slugging percentage and is hitting .283/.313/.560 with 23 home runs on the year. He's also under club control through the end of the 2027 season. Garcia is a bit of an odd fit for the Yanks, who were believed to be seeking a right-handed bat at the trade deadline this year. Not only does he hit from the left side, but he's been playing first base, where New York is already set with Ben Rice and Paul Goldschmidt. However, the Yankees still have Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Giancarlo Stanton on the injured list, and they've scored the fifth-fewest runs since Judge got hurt. Garcia will most likely split time at DH (until the Yankees get healthier) and second base, but he could continue to be shielded against left-handed pitchers (he has only 57 plate appearances against them in 2026).
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Yankees in Talks to Acquire Luis Garcia Jr.
The New York Yankees are reportedly in talks to acquire infielder Luis Garcia Jr. from the Washington Nationals. Garcia was scratched ahead of Sunday's game without a reason. According to Joel Sherman, the two sides are discussing a trade that could include Yankees' Double-A starting pitcher Jack Cebert. This season, Garcia is slashing .283/.313/.560 with a career-high 23 home runs, 76 RBI, and four stolen bases in 104 games. The 26-year-old would be a welcome sight to a lineup that has been crushed by injuries lately. Fantasy managers should stay tuned to see if this deal gets done before Monday's trade deadline.
Source: Joel Sherman
Source: Joel Sherman
