Out
Injury Elbow
Est. Return 2/1/2027
2025 Stats
W-L
0-0
ERA
0.00
WHIP
0.00
K
0
SV
0
2026 Projections
2026 Fantasy Outlook
As is often the case with exciting, hard-throwing young pitching prospects as they are ascending into the elite territory of prospect rankings, Sykora required Tommy John surgery in early August and will miss the entire 2026 regular season. The 6-foot-6, 232-pound righty logged a 1.79 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 79:17 K:BB in 45.1 innings across 12 starts between Single-A, High-A and Double-A before getting hurt. As with any big, lanky hurler with premium stuff returning form a serious arm surgery early in their career, Sykora will likely need some time to knock the rust off upon his return, either in 2026 in the Arizona Fall League or in 2027 during spring training. At his best, he'll show three plus pitches (fastball, slider, changeup) and good enough command to start. Sykora should retain some trade value in dynasty leagues throughout his recovery, but it won't be until 2027 that he potentially re-establishes himself as one of the best pitching prospects in the game. Read Past Outlooks
Signed a $2.6 million contract with the Nationals in July of 2023.
Slated for UCL surgery
Sykora will undergo a UCL reconstruction on his right elbow in two weeks, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
Analysis
Sykora landed on the 7-day injured list at Double-A Harrisburg earlier this month with what had been referred to as triceps soreness, but subsequent testing revealed the need for a UCL repair. It's a huge blow to the Nationals and one of the best pitching prospects in baseball, as Sykora could be sidelined until 2027. The 21-year-old holds a 1.91 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 74:17 K:BB through 42.1 innings in the minors this season.
Sykora landed on the 7-day injured list at Double-A Harrisburg earlier this month with what had been referred to as triceps soreness, but subsequent testing revealed the need for a UCL repair. It's a huge blow to the Nationals and one of the best pitching prospects in baseball, as Sykora could be sidelined until 2027. The 21-year-old holds a 1.91 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 74:17 K:BB through 42.1 innings in the minors this season.
Pitching Stats
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Minor League Game Log
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Minor League Left/Right Pitching Splits (AA)
Since 2023
-100%
BAA vs RHP
2025
-100%
BAA vs RHP
| BAA | K | BB | H | HR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2023vs Left | .235 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Since 2023vs Right | .000 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025vs Left | .235 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| 2025vs Right | .000 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024vs Left | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024vs Right | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023vs Left | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023vs Right | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Prospect Rankings History
Advanced Pitching Stats
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Defensive Stats
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2025 Fantasy Outlook
Sykora looks like a potential SP1 if he reaches his ceiling, but he's still just 20 and has yet to pitch above Single-A. A 6-foot-6 righty with very easy upper-90s fastball velocity (touches 99 mph), Sykora was an over-slot ($2.6M bonus) third rounder in the 2023 draft. He logged a 2.33 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 31.0 K-BB% in 85 innings across 20 starts for Fredericksburg. Sykora's changeup and slider each flashed plus in his first full season, and those pitches, along with his fastball velocity, should only tick up in the coming years. It will be all about keeping his delivery in sync, given his long levers, and staying healthy, but if Sykora avoids a major setback, he could finish 2025 as the No. 1 pitching prospect in baseball.
More Fantasy News
Shut down with triceps injury
The Nationals announced Tuesday that Sykora was diagnosed with lower right triceps soreness and will be shut down for 2-to-3 weeks before throwing again, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Analysis
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Not expected to miss much time
Sykora was lifted after one inning in his most recent start Saturday for Double-A Harrisburg due to an unspecified injury, but he's not expected to miss extended time, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Analysis
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Moves up to Double-A
The Nationals promoted Sykora from High-A Wilmington to Double-A Harrisburg on Thursday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
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Fans 10 for Wilmington
Sykora dazzled for High-A Wilmington on Thursday, striking out 10 without walking a batter over five scoreless innings while allowing just two hits.
Analysis
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Heading to High-A
The Nationals promoted Sykora from Single-A Fredericksburg to High-A Wilmington on Thursday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Analysis
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