Nationals Prospects Showcase Talent in Arizona Fall League

Kevin Bazzell and Jarlin Susana are actively competing in the Arizona Fall League following their 2026 seasons.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Baseball

Nationals Prospects Showcase Talent in Arizona Fall League

Live Poll

Is individual player development in minor league sports better driven by physical talent or tactical adjustments?

Washington Nationals prospects Kevin Bazzell and Jarlin Susana are currently participating in the Arizona Fall League as of October 2026. Both players are gaining critical experience in the developmental league following their individual regular-season campaigns.

Why it matters

Participation in the Arizona Fall League allows prospects to test their skills against elite talent in a professional setting. This experience is vital for developing high-level mechanics and building consistency for future major league opportunities.

Jarlin Susana recorded pitches reaching 102.4 mph on Wednesday, while Kevin Bazzell finished his 2026 regular season with a .287/.389/.470 slash line. Bazzell also significantly shifted his profile by increasing his pull rate to 52.8 percent.

The players

Kevin Bazzell

He is a catching prospect for the Washington Nationals who transitioned his stance in 2026 to improve defensive framing.

Jarlin Susana

He is a pitcher in the Washington Nationals organization known for his high-velocity fastball.

The details

Jarlin Susana, standing 6-foot-6, showcased elite velocity reaching 102.4 mph in a recent outing. Meanwhile, Kevin Bazzell refined his catching technique in 2026 by adopting a one-knee-down stance to improve his ability to frame low strikes.

April 11, 2026: Kevin Bazzell suffered a broken orbital bone.
May 7, 2026: Kevin Bazzell returned to the Wilmington lineup.
August 11, 2026: Bazzell caught Susana for the first time.
September 12, 2026: Bazzell caught Susana during the regular season.
October 3, 2026: Jarlin Susana made his AFL debut.

Season Trajectory

The Arizona Fall League serves as a primary developmental platform for prospects across all 30 Major League Baseball organizations. Participation here often signals a move toward higher minor league levels or potential major league call-ups in the upcoming season.

The mechanical adjustments Bazzell made, including his shift to a 52.8 percent pull rate, suggest a move toward more power-focused offensive production. Susana's ability to maintain high-velocity output in short bursts highlights his potential usage as a high-leverage late-inning arm.

The takeaway

Prospects often use the offseason to integrate new mechanics, such as Bazzell's one-knee-down catching stance, to gain a competitive edge. These developmental adjustments, coupled with high-velocity showcases, are key indicators of a player's readiness for higher levels of professional competition.