Longosz on what excites him about Nats' farm system

Last month, the Nationals promoted longtime front office staffer Eddie Longosz to vice president and assistant general manager of player development and administration after spending the last 13 years in the club’s scouting department, most recently as the director of scouting operations for the last eight.

Before the promotion, Longosz, a D.C. native, assisted general manager Mike Rizzo on all aspects of the organization's amateur, professional and international scouting operations.

That means he is now in charge of developing the players in the Nats’ farm system that he helped scout and draft.

The upper echelon of the farm system is now loaded, especially with position players, thanks to high draft picks, numerous trades and impressive international signings over the last three years, all with Longosz’s input.

At the top of the board is top prospect Dylan Crews, this year’s No. 2 overall draft pick, reigning national champion from LSU and Golden Spikes Award winner. The other recent first-round picks include third baseman and No. 3 prospect Brady House (No. 11 overall pick in 2021) and outfielder and No. 5 prospect Elijah Green (No. 5 overall pick in 2022).

Muñoz worth the waiver claim with electric stuff

PROSPECT REVIEW: RODDERY MUÑOZ

Age on opening day 2024: 23

How acquired: Claimed off waivers from Braves, July 2023; originally signed as international free agent by Braves from Dominican Republic, June 2018

Ranking: No. 30 per MLB Pipeline, NR per Baseball America

MLB ETA: 2024
* Projected by MLB Pipeline

Alvarez hopes to carry Pitcher of the Year momentum up Nats system

PROSPECT REVIEW: ANDREW ALVAREZ

Age on opening day 2024: 24

How acquired: Drafted in 12th round in 2021 from California Polytechnic State University

Ranking: NR per MLB Pipeline, NR per Baseball America

MLB ETA: TBD
* Projected by MLB Pipeline

After back surgery, Cronin looking for more command

PROSPECT REVIEW: MATT CRONIN

Age on opening day 2024: 26

How acquired: Drafted in fourth round in 2019 from University of Arkansas

Ranking: NR per MLB Pipeline, No. 29 per Baseball America

MLB ETA: 2023
* Projected by MLB Pipeline

Undrafted Brzykcy to continue improbable rise after Tommy John surgery

PROSPECT REVIEW: ZACH BRZYKCY

Age on opening day 2024: 24

How acquired: Signed as undrafted free agent in 2020 from Virginia Tech

Ranking: No. 28 per MLB Pipeline, No. 22 per Baseball America

MLB ETA: 2024
* Projected by MLB Pipeline

Parker impresses with strikeouts, needs to cut down walks

PROSPECT REVIEW: MITCHELL PARKER

Age on opening day 2024: 24

How acquired: Drafted in fifth round in 2020 from San Jacinto College (Houston)

Ranking: No. 25 per MLB Pipeline, No. 30 per Baseball America

MLB ETA: 2024
* Projected by MLB Pipeline

Lara has work to do to get strikeout numbers back up

PROSPECT REVIEW: ANDRY LARA

Age on opening day 2024: 21

How acquired: Signed as international free agent, July 2019

Ranking: No. 23 per MLB Pipeline, No. 18 per Baseball America

MLB ETA: 2025
* Projected by MLB Pipeline

After joining Nats at deadline, Herz flashed impressive stuff

PROSPECT REVIEW: DJ HERZ

Age on opening day 2024: 23

How acquired: Traded with Kevin Made from Cubs for Jeimer Candelario and cash in July 2023; originally drafted in eighth round by Cubs in 2019 from Terry Sanford High School in Fayetteville, N.C.

Ranking: No. 16 per MLB Pipeline, No. 25 per Baseball America

MLB ETA: 2024
* Projected by MLB Pipeline

Sykora has high ceiling as high school draft pick

PROSPECT REVIEW: TRAVIS SYKORA

Age on opening day 2024: 19

How acquired: Drafted in third round in 2023 from Round Rock High School in Round Rock, Texas

Ranking: No. 11 per MLB Pipeline, No. 11 per Baseball America

MLB ETA: 2027
* Projected by MLB Pipeline

Flame-throwing Susana still developing raw skills

PROSPECT REVIEW: JARLIN SUSANA

Age on opening day 2024: 20

How acquired: Traded with MacKenzie Gore, CJ Abrams, James Wood, Robert Hassell III and Luke Voit from Padres for Juan Soto and Josh Bell in August 2022; originally signed as international free agent by Padres from Dominican Republic, January 2022

Ranking: No. 12 per MLB Pipeline, No. 10 per Baseball America

MLB ETA: 2025
* Projected by MLB Pipeline

Bennett impressed before Tommy John surgery, targets 2025 return

PROSPECT REVIEW: JAKE BENNETT

Age on opening day 2024: 23

How acquired: Drafted in second round in 2022 from University of Oklahoma

Ranking: No. 10 per MLB Pipeline, previously No. 10 per Baseball America before Nov. 6 top 10 update

MLB ETA: 2024
* Projected by MLB Pipeline

Henry still trying to show he's a success story after thoracic outlet surgery

PROSPECT REVIEW: COLE HENRY

Age on opening day 2024: 24

How acquired: Drafted in second round in 2020 from LSU

Ranking: No. 18 per MLB Pipeline, No. 17 per Baseball America

MLB ETA: 2024
* Projected by MLB Pipeline

Cavalli aiming for June return from Tommy John surgery

PROSPECT REVIEW: CADE CAVALLI

Age on opening day 2024: 25

How acquired: Drafted No. 22 overall in 2020 from University of Oklahoma

Ranking: No. 4 per MLB Pipeline, No. 4 per Baseball America

MLB debut: Aug. 26, 2022

Quintana trying to find balance after move to first base

PROSPECT REVIEW: ROISMAR QUINTANA

Age on opening day 2024: 21

How acquired: Signed as international free agent, July 2019

Ranking: No. 6 per MLB Pipeline, No. 14 per Baseball America

MLB ETA: 2025
* Projected by MLB Pipeline

While adjusting to first base, White struggled at the plate

PROSPECT REVIEW: T.J. WHITE

Age on opening day 2024: 20

How acquired: Drafted in fifth round in 2021 from Paul M. Dorman High School in Roebuck, S.C.

Ranking: No. 27 per MLB Pipeline, No. 16 per Baseball America

MLB ETA: 2025
* Projected by MLB Pipeline

With elite glove, can Cruz develop bat to climb Nats system?

PROSPECT REVIEW: ARMANDO CRUZ

Age on opening day 2024: 20

How acquired: Signed as international free agent, January 2021

Ranking: No. 26 per MLB Pipeline, No. 18 per Baseball America

MLB ETA: 2025
* Projected by MLB Pipeline

Will more versatility help Baker reach majors?

PROSPECT REVIEW: DARREN BAKER

Age on opening day 2024: 25

How acquired: Drafted in 10th round in 2021 from University of California, Berkeley

Ranking: No. 24 per MLB Pipeline, No. 26 per Baseball America

MLB ETA: 2023
* Projected by MLB Pipeline

Millas made the most of his opportunities in 2023

PROSPECT REVIEW: DREW MILLAS

Age on opening day 2024: 26

How acquired: Traded with Richard Guasch and Seth Shuman from Athletics for Yan Gomes, Josh Harrison and cash in July 2021; originally drafted in seventh round by Athletics in 2019 from Missouri State University

Ranking: No. 22 per MLB Pipeline, No. 28 per Baseball America

MLB debut: Aug. 28, 2023

Banged up Pineda looking to bounce back with healthy 2024

PROSPECT REVIEW: ISRAEL PINEDA

Age on opening day 2024: 23

How acquired: Signed as international free agent, July 2016

Ranking: No. 21 per MLB Pipeline, No. 21 per Baseball America

MLB debut: Sept. 11, 2022

Pinckney adds another experienced college bat and outfield depth to Nats system

PROSPECT REVIEW: ANDREW PINCKNEY

Age on opening day 2024: 23

How acquired: Drafted in fourth round in 2023 from University of Alabama

Ranking: No. 19 per MLB Pipeline, NR per Baseball America

MLB ETA: 2026
* Projected by MLB Pipeline