Nationals Prospect Jarlin Susana Shines in AFL Start

The young right-hander reached 102.9 mph while logging five innings for the Salt River Rafters.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Baseball

Nationals Prospect Jarlin Susana Shines in AFL Start

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Washington Nationals pitching prospect Jarlin Susana delivered a strong five-inning outing for the Salt River Rafters in the Arizona Fall League. The pitcher utilized a diverse five-pitch mix to record five strikeouts while allowing only one earned run.

Why it matters

Susana is participating in the Arizona Fall League to rebuild his arm strength and gain developmental innings after missing significant time due to lat surgery in 2025. This performance serves as a key indicator of his progress as he remains committed to a role as a starting pitcher.

Susana recorded five strikeouts and threw 63 pitches, featuring a maximum fastball velocity of 102.9 mph. He surrendered one earned run on one hit while inducing 10 swings-and-misses during the five-inning appearance.

The players

Jarlin Susana

He is a promising pitching prospect within the Washington Nationals organization who is currently working to establish himself as a starter.

Salt River Rafters

This is the Arizona Fall League team currently hosting Susana as he works through his developmental program.

The details

During his outing at Camelback Ranch, Susana showcased a pitch arsenal including a four-seam fastball, sinker, power curveball, cutter, and sweeper. While he displayed high velocity, he also recorded three wild pitches, highlighting his ongoing work to improve command within his delivery.

August 24, 2025: The last time Susana pitched five innings in a start.
Late 2025: Susana underwent lat surgery.
August 11, 2026: Susana made his 2026 season debut.
October 27, 2026: Susana pitched five innings in the Arizona Fall League game.

The Big Picture

This performance marks a critical step forward in Susana's career following his 2025 lat surgery recovery process. His ability to hit triple-digit velocity suggests his physical progression is on track toward becoming a consistent starting pitcher.

Susana is demonstrating that he can handle a 60-plus pitch count, which is essential for his transition back into a standard starting rotation. This performance provides evidence that his velocity remains elite even after undergoing significant arm surgery.

The takeaway

Prospects often participate in fall leagues to make up for lost time and refine their command after major injuries. Susana's ability to maintain high velocity while testing various secondary pitches is a positive sign for his developmental trajectory.