Washington Nationals prospect Jarlin Susana throws heat with a triple-digit fastball, but what if his other pitch is even better? Evaluators are buzzing about a devastating slider that’s generating wicked whiff rates. Could this be the key to his dominance? You won’t believe what they’re saying!
The baseball world is abuzz with the potential of Washington Nationals prospect Jarlin Susana, whose extraordinary arm talent promises to reshape the team’s future on the mound. While his triple-digit fastball undeniably commands attention and headlines, a deeper dive into his pitching arsenal reveals that another weapon in his repertoire might actually be his most dominant, setting him apart in a league of promising young hurlers.
Susana, a towering figure at 6-foot-6 and 235 pounds, boasts a fastball that already reaches the 100 mph mark at just 21 years old. This raw velocity, combined with his physical stature, alleviates concerns about his ability to sustain such high-intensity pitching over an extended career, making him a tantalizing prospect for both the Nationals organization and evaluators across Major League Baseball.
However, Susana is far from being a one-pitch flamethrower. Beyond his electric fastball, he skillfully integrates a slider and a changeup, crucial secondary offerings that are instrumental in disrupting hitters’ timing and keeping them off balance. This combination of power and deception is what truly elevates his ceiling as a potential front-line starter.
Intriguingly, despite the eye-popping speed of his primary pitch, a growing consensus among scouting reports suggests that his slider could actually be the jewel of his arsenal. This insight challenges conventional wisdom and highlights the nuanced evaluations that go into assessing elite pitching talent.
Recent analyses, including a notable piece highlighting “the hottest pitching prospects right now” across MLB, specifically underscored the efficacy of Susana’s slider. The report noted that his 86-88 mph slider generates “wicked whiff rates,” a testament to its late movement and effectiveness in eliciting swings and misses from opposing batters.
The sheer rarity of possessing a consistent triple-digit fastball is already a remarkable feat. Yet, the fact that such an elite pitch is potentially overshadowed by a secondary offering speaks volumes about the quality and potential of Susana’s slider, providing Nationals fans with ample reason for excitement regarding his long-term prospects.
For Jarlin Susana, the immediate next step in his development involves refining his command and control to consistently pair his nasty stuff with pinpoint accuracy. Achieving this will be paramount in transitioning from a promising minor league talent to a durable and effective major league starter for many years to come.
His current performance at the Double-A level offers a glimpse into his capabilities, where he has maintained a solid 3.15 ERA across 10 starts. In 45 2/3 innings pitched, he has demonstrated significant strikeout prowess, fanning 76 batters, albeit with 29 walks, indicating areas for further refinement in his command.
Despite the ongoing developmental challenges, the overall package of Jarlin Susana’s pitching arsenal, spearheaded by both his powerful fastball and his devastating slider, makes it incredibly difficult for the Washington Nationals and their fanbase not to believe in his immense potential to become a cornerstone of their pitching rotation.