DSL Nationals Tickets

Every summer, thousands of baseball fans across the United States flock to their local Minor League Baseball (MiLB) stadiums to watch their favorite up-and-coming players compete for game time and experience. However, for a select few players, their paths lead them to compete in the annual DSL Nationals.

The Dominican Summer League Nationals (DSL Nationals), created in 2005, is a team composed of prospects from the Washington Nationals organization who participate in the Dominican Summer League. The league is a developmental platform for international prospects, with athletes typically beginning their careers in the Dominican Republic before being promoted to the United States.

The DSL Nationals provide an opportunity for young players to showcase their skills on an international stage as they face off against other organizations' international teams. The teams consist of players ages 16-22, with many coming from Latin American countries such as Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, and Colombia.

While the DSL Nationals are technically separate from MiLB, they do play a significant role in preparing players for their eventual promotion to professional leagues. Many of the top prospects who show promise during their time in the Dominican Republic eventually move up to the Gulf Coast League to continue their development before moving on to higher levels.

One notable success story from the DSL Nationals program is that of current Washington Nationals player Juan Soto. He signed with the organization as a 16-year-old out of the Dominican Republic and spent part of his first professional season with the DSL Nationals. He quickly progressed through the organization and made his MLB debut at just 19 years old in 2018. Soto has since become one of the most promising young players in the league, winning a Silver Slugger award and leading the Nationals to a World Series title in 2019.

Overall, the DSL Nationals serve as an important piece in the development process for young prospects in the Nationals organization. While it may not get as much mainstream attention as some of the more prominent MiLB teams, it undoubtedly plays an integral role in preparing these players for their professional careers.