Every year teams go into “Rebuilds” or “Retooling” mode. This happens in dynasty leagues as well as in the Major Leagues. Last season we saw the Washington Nationals move some of their last big pieces, netting solid returns of prospects for Juan Soto. Although these teams look less attractive for competing dynasty managers in playoff hunts, I like to take this opportunity to target the under-the-radar prospects that could be getting an opportunity in the next season or two. On this list, you will see some obvious names that have hit top-100 lists as well as deep league grabs that could pay off like Oscar Gonzales did for Cleveland in 2022. One name excluded from this list is newly drafted Elijah Green. I recommend you check out my Top 200 2022 FYPD Prospect Rankings for 2023 Dynasty Drafts article for a deep dive into Green. Now check out my 5 Nationals outfield prospects to watch this year.
The season is not here yet, but why not get a head start and jump in a Fantrax Classic Draft contest? Get a jump on the season with a Best Ball league or maybe a Draft and Hold. Or put some green on the line with a new season-long league to try and conquer. There’s no better time than now to get your baseball on!
Washington Nationals Outfield Prospects to Watch
Big Names To Watch
James Wood, OF
Drafted by the Padres in the second round in 2021, Wood was known as a high school bat with big power from the left side. !t 6’7” and 240 pounds Wood is an intimidating figure at the plate and reminds dynasty managers of Aaron Judge and O’neill Cruz, both big powerful bats in their own right. Wood had a strong season in A- for the Padres and Nationals in 2022 slashing .313/.420/.536 with 12 home runs, 62 RBI, and 20 stolen bases in 76 games played.
One of the focal pieces of the Juan Soto trade, Wood is viewed as one of the crown jewels of the Nationals farm system. It’s easy to see 30+ home run power from Wood with the leverage he creates. The speed should keep Wood as an option in center field at the next level and his stolen base upside is intriguing for dynasty managers looking for a true 5 tool player.
Robert Hassell lll, OF
The left-handed Hassell impressed coming out of the 2020 draft and into instructs during the COVID-shortened season. Starting in A- in 2021 Hassel slashed .323/.415/.482 with 7 HR and 31 SB in 92 games played. After that impressive debut, Hassell struggled, moving up to A+ to finish the season slashing .205/.287/.410. The strikeout rate for Hassell jumped over 11% after getting the bump to A+.
The Padres started Hassell back at A+ to start the 2022 season with better results. Hassell slashed .299/.379/.467 with 10 HR and 20 SB in 75 games before being traded to the Washington Nationals in the Juan Soto trade. After arriving in the Nationals organization Hassell struggled at both A+ and Double-A. His strikeout rate jumped to 26.7% at A+ and 28.7% in Double-A Harrisburg.
In 37 games played, Hassell put up a .222/.311/.296 line and combined in the Nationals organization hit 1 HR, 15 RBI, and stole 4 bases. The results were not good after the trade and the high ceiling might be coming back down for Hassell. Considering these results, Hassell looks to profile as an average power bat but if the swing can get back to where it was in the Padres organization he should hit for solid average and above-average speed as he moves up the ladder.
Deep League Grabs
TJ White, OF/1B
Drafted in the 5th round of the 2021 draft, TJ White is a power-hitting switch-hitter from the South Carolina high school ranks. Standing at 6’2”, White has a presence on the field and at the plate. I was impressed watching White play in Kannapolis for the A- Fredericksburg Nats. The raw power in his swing was evident from both sides though the swing could get a bit loopy at times. In his first full season at A- White slashed .258/.353/.432 with 20 doubles, 2 triples, 11 home runs, 52 RBI, and 8 stolen bases in 92 games played. Although White carried a 27.2% strikeout rate for the season, he showed more discipline at the plate in the final two months striking out only 20% of the time, well below league average.
An added bonus for White is the walk percentage of 11.5% In his full season at Fredericksburg. There should be no reason the 19-year-old White will start the season at A+ Wilmington as he moves up the organizational ladder and up rankings.
Roismar Quintana, OF WSH
With a powerful right-handed swing, Quintana impressed with a strong 2022 campaign in rookie ball. The 20-year-old Quintana slashed .289/.342/.439 with 10 doubles, 5 home runs, and 3 stolen bases in 50 games played. The strikeout rate sat at 23.1%. One of the only knocks on Quintana was that he would swing (making contact) with pitches out of the zone instead of quality contact. This resulted in the walk rate dropping to 4.5% which was the lowest of the Florida coast league hitters that qualified. Regardless of the walk rate from 2022 Quintana makes solid contact and with better pitch recognition he could have a strong debut at A- Fredericksburg.
Jeremy De La Rosa, OF
A name that stands out in the Nationals organization to me is Jeremy De La Rosa, a left-handed power speed bat that could skyrocket in 2023. Signed in 2018 De La Rosa didn’t get to see full-season action till 2021, playing 87 games. Although the results were tepid, this was his first in-game action in a year and a half. In 2022 he got off to a hot start at A- Fredericksburg slashing .315/.394/.505 with 19 doubles, 10 home runs, 57 RBI, and 26 stolen bases in 69 games played.
I watched De La Rosa early in the season and he was hitting the ball with authority. The power should continue to improve to a 25-to-30 home run bat with easy speed on the base paths. De La Rosa struggled after getting the call to A+ Wilmington after breaking his hamate bone. Watch De La Rosa get a chance to rise up the rankings as one of my favorite grab-and-stash prospects for 2023.
Are you buying in on Tyler’s favorite bounce-back players? For more great analysis check out the 2023 FantraxHQ Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit!