"The Nationals received a jolt of validation today as Baseball America, known widely as a bible for prospects, named their farm system the best in all of baseball in its annual Prospect Handbook. The recognition came five years after the Nationals' system ranked 30th — dead last.

"This is a huge day," General Manager Mike Rizzo said. "We should make a big deal of this. It's probably more important to me than a lot of other GMs."

Rizzo, an executive who climbed the scouting ladder from the time his short-lived playing career ended, called the recognition "the epitome of a team award." He credited every level of the operation, from ownership for the financial commitment to sign draft picks to minor league managers and coaches. "