Nationals Star Prospect Jarlin Susana Spins a Gem in Third Rehab Start

On Friday, star Washington Nationals pitching prospect Jarlin Susana took the mound for his third rehab start of the season with High-A Wilmington.

This time around, the flamethrowing right-hander spun a gem.

Susana, who has returned following the lat surgery he underwent last year, threw 2 2/3 innings where he gave up just one hit and struck out seven with zero walks allowed. He routinely sat triple-digits with his fastball, including reaching the 103 mph mark. He paired that with his elite slider to generate 10 whiffs on 21 total swings.

That's the type of dominance that people have come to expect from the Nationals' No. 3-ranked prospect who is also rated No. 68 overall in the sport. And it's the latest example of why Susana generates so much excitement about what his ceiling can be in the future.

Jarlin Susana Working Way Back Towards Appearances in Upper Minors

Washington Nationals pitcher Jarlin Susana | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Right now, the plan is for Susana to ease back into things coming off his surgical procedure. While he flashed his elite stuff during bullpen and live batting practice sessions when he was rehabbing, pitching in live games was the next crucial step in his recovery process.

Susana began last year with Double-A Harrisburg. But he suffered a UCL sprain that caused him to miss some time. After he was healthy enough to return, he made five starts for Harrisburg in August before he was shut down because of another injury. Still, he made an impression with a 3.61 ERA across 11 total starts, where he also struck out 79 batters and walked 32 over 47 1/3 innings.

Now, Washington's goal is to get him back to the upper level of the minors after he completes his current rehab assignment.

Exactly where he finishes this season isn't clear. There was hope that Susana would make his major league debut at some point in 2026. But his extended absence after undergoing lat surgery last year has made that unlikely. However, if he's able to have a strong close to this season, then there's a chance he could break camp next year on the major league roster. Or, at the very least, he could be someone who gets called up early in the 2027 campaign.

It goes without saying that Susana is a prospect to keep an eye on. He possesses stuff that no other Nationals prospect has with his dominant fastball and wicked slider. So if he's able to stay healthy and get a full offseason of work in this winter, then he could be arriving in The Show as soon as next year.

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