Baseball America's Carlos Collazo is optimistic about the Washington Nationals' long-term outlook, but with a cautious note. In an exclusive interview, Collazo, a seasoned writer and prospect evaluator, shared his insights on the team's recent hires and the state of their farm system. He expressed excitement about the Nationals' new regime, particularly the hiring of Peter Flaherty as the Northeast area scouting supervisor, a move that will significantly impact their draft strategy.
Collazo's journey into baseball began at a young age, nurtured by his father who taught him and his brothers the game. Despite offers to play at the D3 level, he pursued journalism at the University of North Carolina, which led him to Baseball America. Over the years, he has formed strong connections within the industry, including with Paul Toboni, the new Nationals President of Baseball Operations. Toboni's hiring of Flaherty, a close friend of Collazo's, is a significant development for the team.
While Collazo is optimistic about the Nationals' future, he acknowledges the need for improvement in their farm system. He believes Flaherty will help rebuild the system, which he currently views as solid but underwhelming. Despite the lack of top-tier prospects, Collazo highlights Eli Willits as a standout player, praising his well-rounded offensive skills and defensive capabilities. The trade for Harry Ford, a quality prospect, is another move that excites him, as it addresses the team's need for a starting catcher.
Looking ahead to the 2026 draft, Collazo is bullish on the class, particularly the college hitters and arms. He sees UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky as the likely number one overall pick and believes the Nationals could make a strong case for selecting him. However, he also highlights other potential options, including Sawyer Strosnider, Derek Curiel, Chris Hacopian, Jacob Lomard, Tyler Spangler, Blake Bowen, Liam Peterson, Cameron Flukey, and Jackson Flora. Despite the team's late pick, Collazo is confident they can make a significant impact in the draft.
While Collazo is optimistic about the Nationals' future, he remains cautious, noting that the team still has work to do. He is curious to see how the new regime will develop players like Alex Clemmey and Seaver King, who have the potential to contribute significantly. Overall, Collazo's insights provide a balanced perspective on the Nationals' prospects, offering both optimism and a critical eye.
