BOSTON — On Monday afternoon, Washington Nationals president of baseball operations Paul Toboni looked around Fenway Park, the place where he once ran the draft and development systems, and thought about the perspective he had gained.Eighteen months ago, the Red Sox — and stop me if this sounds familiar — looked like they had solved hitting development, but still had a long way to go on the mound. Now, they are in a position to throw Connelly Early and Payton Tolle — two productive arms Toboni helped draft and develop in Boston — against their old assistant GM, all while the offense scuffles.“I bring it up to suggest that things can change pretty quickly,” Toboni said.With the draft coming up, don’t expect the Nationals to over-index on pitchers, though the trade deadline could be a different story. They will not confine themselves to one type of pitcher, but athletes who have velocity or project to add even more, and those who have nasty breaking pitches, will be a priority. Anyone who they believe will miss bats will be at the top of their target list.At the moment, many of the farm system’s top pitchers are injured (Jarlin Susana, Travis Sykora), far away from the majors (Miguel Sime Jr.), or still working through significant concerns (Luis Perales). But it’s worth checking in on their arms, high-ranking or hard-throwing, to see how they could one day help a roster that desperately needs support on the mound.Let’s call this the no-hitter edition. Stats are updated through Monday.This is Paul Toboni’s first season as Washington’s president of baseball operations. AP Photo /Howard FendrichJarlin Susana (RHP)Current level (age): Rehabbing in Florida (22)
What I’m hearing about the most intriguing arms in the Nationals’ farm system
Checking in on Jarlin Susana, Jackson Kent and other arms in Washington's farm system.









