WASHINGTON D.C. - Few moments in a rebuilding franchise’s journey are as exciting as seeing top prospects earn national recognition, and for Washington Nationals fans, the 2025 MLB All-Star Futures Game is a milestone worth celebrating. Both Travis Sykora and Marquis Grissom Jr. have been selected to represent the Nationals at this year’s event, underscoring the organization’s progress in developing elite young talent.

Travis Sykora, drafted in the third round in 2023, has quickly become the club’s No. 1 prospect and is currently ranked among the top 60 in all of baseball. After overcoming a hip injury that limited his debut season, Travis Sykora has returned stronger than ever. In 2025, he posted a 3-1 record with a 1.83 ERA, 76 strikeouts, and a 0.77 WHIP over 44.1 innings across three minor league levels, holding opponents to a .107 batting average. He was recently promoted to Double-A Harrisburg after dominating at High-A Wilmington, where he went 3-0 with a 1.21 ERA and 47 strikeouts in just under 30 innings. Sykora’s arsenal—a mid-to-high-90s fastball, a devastating splitter, and a sharp slider—has overwhelmed hitters at every stop. “Whether I pitch great or bad, it’s going back to the routine and starting over, getting ready for my next start,” Sykora said, reflecting the mindset Nationals fans hope will anchor their next generation.

Marquis Grissom Jr. has also made significant strides this season, pitching for the Harrisburg Senators before earning a promotion to Triple-A Rochester on April 30. In 27 relief appearances, he has a 1-1 record, a 4.70 ERA, and six saves in seven opportunities. Since joining the Nationals’ organization in 2022, Grissom Jr. has compiled a career 2.84 ERA with 126 strikeouts and 26 saves. His best pitch is a changeup in the 82-85 mph range, complemented by a fastball that reaches 94-95 mph. Last year, 49% of swings against his changeup resulted in misses. Grissom Jr. has spent his life in the baseball world—“My first birthday was at Dodgers’ Stadium when my dad played for the Dodgers.” He is the son of four-time Gold Glove winner Marquis Grissom. This year’s Futures Game on July 12 will be historic, as Grissom Jr. pitches for the National League while his father manages the American League team. “Marquis is a tremendous young man who has worked extremely hard for this well-deserved opportunity to represent the Washington Nationals and Rochester Red Wings in the 2025 MLB Futures Game in Atlanta. We wish him nothing but the best!” said Red Wings manager Matt LeCroy.

The Futures Game itself has a proven track record of spotlighting future MLB stars—nearly 88% of participants reach the big leagues, and more than 230 have become All-Stars. For Washington, having two representatives is a testament to the quality of its rebuild and the effectiveness of its scouting and development strategies. As MLB.com notes, “some of the players who take the field in the Futures Game today are the players who will be at the center of the baseball world tomorrow.”

For Nationals fans, these selections are more than just accolades—they are a preview of what’s ahead. Watching Sykora and Grissom Jr. compete on a national stage is a chance to dream about a future rotation led by homegrown arms and to see the organization’s investment in young talent pay off. As the Futures Game approaches, all eyes in D.C. will be on Atlanta, eager to watch the next chapter in the Nationals’ resurgence unfold.