2017 Washington Nationals Top 10 Prospects
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TOP 10 PROSPECTS |
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| 1. Victor Robles, of | |
| 2. Erick Fedde, rhp | |
| 3. Juan Soto, of | |
| 4. Wilmer Difo, ss/2b | |
| 5. Andrew Stevenson, of | |
| 6. Koda Glover, rhp | |
| 7. Luis Garcia, ss | |
| 8. Carter Kieboom, ss | |
| 9. Pedro Severino, c | |
| 10. Austin Voth, rhp | |
After a disappointing 2015 season that ended with them missing the playoffs and firing manager Matt Williams, the Nationals bounced back strong in 2016. With Dusty Baker at the helm, they won 95 games and topped the National League East for the third time in five years.
But the Nationals again lost in the Division Series, felled this time by the Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw, who factored into all three of Los Angeles’ victories.
Though Washington again exited the playoffs early, it has maintained an impressive standard of success over the last five years under general manager Mike Rizzo. The Nationals have posted winning records for five straight seasons, the longest streak in the franchise’s 48-year history, and finished no worse than second place in the division.
Right fielder Bryce Harper, the NL MVP in 2015, was hampered by injuries in 2016, but the Nationals still had one of the most dominating players in the league. Righthander Max Scherzer won the NL Cy Young Award in the second year of his seven-year contract. He went 20-7, 2.96 and led the NL with 284 strikeouts, 228.1 innings and a 0.97 WHIP to help lead the Nationals to a second-place finish in the league with a 3.51 ERA.
Washington benefitted from key acquisitions by Rizzo. In the offseason, the Nationals signed second baseman Daniel Murhpy, who led the team with 25 home runs and finished second in MVP voting. At the trade deadline, Rizzo dipped into the system’s pitching depth to acquire closer Mark Melancon from the Pirates.
The Nationals also got key contributions from their own prospects. Trea Turner provided a spark to the lineup after he was promoted in July, eventually taking over as the everyday center fielder and finishing second in NL Rookie of the Year balloting.
Much-anticipated righthanders Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez also arrived in Washington in 2016, though neither pitched enough to graduate from prospect status. Giolito, the club’s 2012 first-round pick, wasn’t quite ready for the big leagues and stumbled. Lopez pitched well enough out of the bullpen in September to earn a spot on the playoff roster.
Rizzo bundled both Giolito and Lopez with 2016 first-rounder Dane Dunning to acquire White Sox outfielder Adam Eaton at the Winter Meetings.
As Washington’s farm system continued to churn out big leaguers, it also remained strong at the lower levels. Center fielder Victor Robles built on his breakout 2015 season as he advanced to full-season ball, and 17-year-old outfielder Juan Soto excelled in his pro debut in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League.
Lopez, Robles and Soto are just a few examples of the Nationals’ recent successes in the international amateur market, and that group could soon be growing larger. Washington has not been a major player in the market since the scandal surrounding the 2006 signing of the Dominican prospect then known as Esmailyn Gonzalez, who was revealed three years later to be Carlos Alvarez and four years older than he originally presented himself. The fallout cost then-GM Jim Bowden his job and the Nationals slimmed down their international operations.
After beginning to spend more money internationally in recent years, they made their biggest move yet in 2016. The Nationals surpassed their international bonus pool to sign three shortstops—Luis Garcia and Yasel Antuna from the Dominican Republic and Jose Sanchez from Venezuela—ranked among the top 15 players in the class.
With a large international class and a draft class that featured two first-rounders—they took Dunning and prep shortstop Carter Kieboom—the Nationals were able to add depth to a system that has been more top heavy in years past. The organization has been committed to scouting and player development under Rizzo, and international director Johnny DiPuglia, scouting director Kris Kline and farm director Mark Scialabba have consistently delivered.
1. Victor Robles, of | 
Born: May 19, 1997. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 185. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2013. Signed by: Modesto Ulloa.
| SCOUTING GRADES |
| Batting: 60 |
| Power: 50 |
| Speed: 70 |
| Defense: 60 |
| Arm: 60 |
| Based on 20-80 scouting scale—where 50 represents major league average—and future projection rather than present tools. |
Background: Robles had impressed Nationals evaluators for years before breaking out in 2015 during his U.S. debut. He signed with Washington for $225,000 in 2013 and impressed in the Dominican Summer League the following year. He wowed the Nationals’ staff during extended spring training in 2015, and carried that performance over to the regular season in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and short-season Auburn. He ranked as the No. 2 prospect in both leagues while hitting a combined .352/.445/.507 with 24 stolen bases in 61 games. Robles advanced to full-season ball in 2016 for the first time, beginning the season with low Class A Hagerstown. After earning a spot in the South Atlantic League all-star game, he was promoted to high Class A Potomac, where the 19-year-old was the youngest player in the Carolina League. He again ranked as a top prospect in two leagues—No. 1 in the South Atlantic and No. 3 in the Carolina. Robles was sidelined for about three weeks in the second half of the season by a thumb injury he suffered after being hit in the hand by a fastball, one of 34 times he was hit by a pitch in 2016. Even as he has raced through the minor leagues, Robles has continued to hit and earn praise for his energy, baseball IQ and willingness to learn.
Scouting Report: Robles is an excellent athlete with true five-tool potential. He is advanced for his age, displaying a good feel for hitting. He has strong, quick hands that help him to produce impressive bat speed. Presently, his power results mostly in hard line drives to the gaps, but as he physically matures, those balls should start going over the fence. He has a good feel for the barrel and is difficult to strike out, though he does not often walk. He sets up very close to the plate, which results in him often being hit by pitches. He is confident in his ability to turn on inside pitches, but after his stint on the disabled list he is also starting to learn about the importance of getting out of the way of inside pitches. Robles is a plus runner and makes good use of his speed on both the basepaths and in the outfield. He tracks down balls well in center field and has plus arm strength. His defensive ability and speed enables him to impact the game in many different ways.
The Future: Robles has proven to be capable of moving quickly in the minors, and will likely return to Potomac to open 2017. Because he won’t turn 20 until May, he will likely again be among the youngest players in the league. It will be a challenging assignment for the precocious outfielder, but his makeup and dynamic skill set should help him continue to find success against older competition. He has all-star potential and could arrive in Washington late in the 2018 season.
| 2016 Club | AVG | OBP | SLG | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB |
| Hagerstown (LoA) | .305 | .405 | .459 | 233 | 48 | 71 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 30 | 18 | 38 | 19 |
| Potomac (HiA) | .262 | .354 | .387 | 168 | 24 | 44 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 14 | 32 | 18 |
2. Erick Fedde, rhp |
Born: Feb. 25, 1993. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 180. Drafted: Nevada-Las Vegas, 2014 (1st round). Signed by: Mitch Sokol.
Background: After his sophomore season at Nevada-Las Vegas, Fedde had a strong showing with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team and carried that into the spring back at school. He appeared to be on his way to becoming a top-10 pick in the 2014 draft until he had Tommy John surgery that May. Despite the injury, the Nationals selected him 18th overall. Fedde made his pro debut a year later and reached Double-A Harrisburg by the end of 2016.
Scouting Report: As more time has passed since Fedde’s surgery, he has gotten stronger and seen his stuff return. His fastball has reached 97 mph, but he more typically pitches in the low 90s. It plays up because of excellent sinking action, and he pounds the strike zone with it. His low-80s slider is a plus offering and generates swings and misses. He made strides with his changeup in 2016, and it could become an average pitch. Fedde throws a lot of strikes, but still has room to refine his command to more consistently locate all his pitches. He is an excellent athlete, helping him to both repeat his delivery and field his position well.
The Future: Now that he’s fully healthy, Fedde could make quick work of the upper minors. He will return to Harrisburg to start 2017 and is closing in on his big league debut. He has a No. 2 starter ceiling with a high floor based on his wide-ranging ability.
| 2016 Club | W | L | ERA | G | GS | IP | H | HR | BB | SO | AVG |
| Potomac (HiA) | 6 | 4 | 2.85 | 18 | 17 | 92 | 85 | 7 | 19 | 95 | .244 |
| Harrisburg (AA) | 2 | 1 | 3.99 | 5 | 5 | 29 | 33 | 1 | 10 | 28 | .284 |
3. Juan Soto, of
Born: Oct. 25, 1998. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 185. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2015. Signed by: Modesto Ulloa.
Background: The Nationals established a new franchise bonus record for an international teen when they signed Soto for $1.5 million in 2015. He skipped the Dominican Summer League in 2016 to make his pro debut as a 17-year-old in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, where he won MVP honors after leading the circuit in batting (.361) and slugging (.550) and ranking second in on-base percentage (.410). He earned a late-season promotion to short-season Auburn and continued to succeed against older competition.
Scouting Report: Soto ranked No. 13 in the 2015 international class largely because of his hitting ability, which translated well to pro ball. He is an advanced hitter for his age, showing a feel for the barrel and good pitch-recognition skills. He has a short, easy, lefthanded swing and uses the whole field to hit. His power is still developing, and he could have above-average pop by the time he is done physically maturing. Soto has average speed and arm strength, and he profiles well in right field.
The Future: Soto will play the entire 2017 season as an 18-year-old, and is probably advanced enough to handle an assignment to low Class A Hagerstown. But the Nationals could opt for a more conservative approach and send him back to Auburn, where he would still be one of the youngest players in the league.
| 2016 Club | AVG | OBP | SLG | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB |
| GCL Nationals (R) | .361 | .410 | .550 | 169 | 25 | 61 | 11 | 3 | 5 | 31 | 14 | 25 | 5 |
| Auburn (SS) | .429 | .500 | .571 | 21 | 3 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
4. Wilmer Difo, ss/2b |
Born: April 2, 1992. B-T: B-R. Ht.: 5-11. Wt.: 200. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2011. Signed by: Modesto Ulloa.
Background: A late bloomer, Difo struggled in the low minors before breaking out in 2014, when he won the South Atlantic League MVP award as a 22-year-old at low Class A Hagerstown. He has built on that progress, making his major league debut in 2015 and returning to Washington for much of the second half in 2016. He also earned a spot on the postseason roster thanks to his versatility and speed.
Scouting Report: Difo is a well above-average runner and has an aggressive approach on the basepaths and at the plate. A switch-hitter, he has a short, quick swing. He has some wiry strength and can drive the ball into the gaps for extra-base hits but has produced below-average power in the upper levels. After moving around the infield early in his career, Difo has settled at shortstop, where he has made strides as a defender. He is still improving his consistency in the field, but he has above-average arm strength and the hands necessary to play shortstop. He also played second and third base in the big leagues.
The Future: Because Difo has played only one game at Triple-A, the Nationals could send him to Syracuse to play every day at shortstop and continue to work on his defense. He also could return to Washington to reprise his role as a utility infielder.
| 2016 Club | AVG | OBP | SLG | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB |
| Harrisburg (AA) | .259 | .318 | .354 | 410 | 59 | 106 | 15 | 3 | 6 | 41 | 34 | 59 | 28 |
| Syracuse (AAA) | .200 | .200 | .200 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Washington (MLB) | .276 | .364 | .379 | 58 | 14 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 3 |
5. Andrew Stevenson, of |
Born: June 1, 1994. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 185. Drafted: Louisiana State, 2015 (2nd round). Signed by: Ed Gustafson.
Background: After finishing his college career by helping Louisiana State reach the 2015 College World Series, Stevenson hit the ground running in pro ball, quickly advancing to low Class A Hagerstown in his debut. He carried that momentum into 2016, which began at high Class A Potomac, included a midseason promotion to Double-A Harrisburg and ended with a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League. He led the AFL in hits (30) and finished second in the batting race.
Scouting Report: Stevenson employed an unconventional set-up at the plate at LSU that forced him to slash at the ball. The Nationals worked with him to adjust his hands and give him a better chance to drive the ball. His swing is still geared to hit the ball on the ground to take advantage of his well above-average speed, but he also lines the balls into gaps for extra-base hits. His speed and feel for the barrel are good enough to make him a top-of-the-order candidate. Stevenson is a plus defender in center field with exceptional range thanks to his speed and instincts. His below-average arm strength is his only defensive deficiency.
The Future: Stevenson earns praise for his high-energy play and makeup. He likely will return to Harrisburg to start 2017, looking to build on his strong finish to the season.
| 2016 Club | AVG | OBP | SLG | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB |
| Potomac (HiA) | .304 | .359 | .418 | 273 | 37 | 83 | 12 | 8 | 1 | 18 | 24 | 44 | 27 |
| Harrisburg (AA) | .246 | .302 | .328 | 256 | 38 | 63 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 20 | 51 | 12 |
6. Koda Glover, rhp
Born: April 13, 1993. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-5. Wt.: 225. Drafted: Oklahoma State, 2015 (8th round). Signed by: Ed Gustafson.
Background: Glover established himself as a weapon out of the bullpen in 2015, first at Oklahoma State and then in his pro debut after the Nationals made him an eighth-round pick. He built on that momentum in 2016, as he pitched his way from high Class A Potomac to the big leagues. He made his major league debut in July, almost 13 months to the day after signing with the Nationals.
Scouting Report: After a strong debut, Glover recorded a 7.27 ERA in September before being shut down late in the season with a minor hip injury. He has a physical 6-foot-5 frame and the power arm to match. His fastball touched 100 mph in the big leagues, and sat 97-98 with heavy sinking action. He complements it with a hard slider that sits in the low 90s. Glover also throws both a curveball and changeup but seldom throws either. He isn’t afraid to come after hitters and throws plenty of strikes.
The Future: Glover earns praise for his poise and mound presence, and he has the tools to be a big league closer. He probably won’t fill that role in 2017 but should go to spring training with a chance to win a spot in the Washington bullpen.
| 2016 Club | W | L | ERA | G | SV | IP | H | HR | BB | SO | AVG |
| Potomac (HiA) | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 7 | 2 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 15 | .094 |
| Harrisburg (AA) | 2 | 0 | 3.22 | 17 | 4 | 22 | 20 | 1 | 7 | 29 | .238 |
| Syracuse (AAA) | 1 | 1 | 2.25 | 16 | 2 | 24 | 16 | 2 | 3 | 22 | .195 |
| Washington (MLB) | 2 | 0 | 5.03 | 19 | 0 | 20 | 15 | 3 | 7 | 16 | .200 |
7. Luis Garcia, ss
Born: May 16, 2000. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 5-11. Wt.: 170. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2016. Signed by: Carlos Ulloa.
Background: The Nationals busted their international bonus pool in 2016 by signing three of the top 15 prospects in the class. Garcia, whose father Luis Garcia reached the big leagues in 1999 with the Tigers, was the No. 3 prospect in the class and headlined Washington’s haul, though his bonus of $1.3 million was not the largest the Nationals handed out in 2016.
Scouting Report: Garcia has impressive all-around tools and evolved as a prospect in the year leading up to his signing. He has good bat-to-ball skills and a simple lefthanded swing that is geared for hitting line drives. He makes loud contact and shows signs that he will develop more power as he physically matures. He is an excellent athlete with well above-average speed. Garcia has above-average arm strength and good hands, giving scouts reason to believe he will be able to stay at shortstop. He will need to improve his infield actions, but even if he does move, his tools will play well at second base or in center field.
The Future: Garcia is far from a finished product but earns praise for his baseball IQ and work ethic. Those traits will serve him well as he tries to become a big leaguer like his father. He will likely begin his pro career in the Dominican Summer League.
| 2016 Club | AVG | OBP | SLG | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB |
| Did not play—Signed 2017 contract | |||||||||||||
8. Carter Kieboom, ss |
Born: Sept. 3, 1997. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 190. Drafted: HS—Marietta, Ga., 2016 (1st round). Signed by: Eric Robinson.
Background: Kieboom joined his older brother Spencer in the Nationals organization after they selected him 28th overall in 2016. He dealt with minor injuries after signing but still held his own in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League during his pro debut and was fully healthy in time to participate in instructional league.
Scouting Report: Kieboom is a steady, solid all-around player. He stands out for his bat speed and timing at the plate, though he struck out in nearly 28 percent of his plate appearances in the GCL. He projects to hit for average power as he physically matures and learns to drive the ball more consistently. Kieboom is a solid runner and has good first-step quickness on defense. He has above-average arm strength and good infield actions, giving him the tools necessary to develop as a shortstop.
The Future: Spencer Kieboom made his major league debut in 2016, and Carter should one day join him in the big league fraternity. The younger Kieboom has the potential to deliver more impact than his brother, who has a backup catcher profile. He should be ready for low Class A Hagerstown in 2017.
| 2016 Club | AVG | OBP | SLG | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB |
| GCL Nationals (R) | .244 | .323 | .452 | 135 | 22 | 33 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 25 | 12 | 43 | 1 |
9. Pedro Severino, c
Born: July 20, 1993. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 215. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2010. Signed by: Moises de la Mota.
Background: Severino has built a reputation as an excellent defensive catcher, and his glove has carried him through the minor leagues. He made a his major league debut in 2015 during a brief September callup and returned in 2016, taking over as the Nationals’ everyday catcher down the stretch and in the postseason when Wilson Ramos tore the ACL in his knee.
Scouting Report: Severino stands out for his catch-and-throw ability, leaving no doubt he has the skills necessary to catch in the big leagues. He has plus arm strength and has thrown out 35 percent of basestealers in his pro career. He is a good athlete and game-caller, he blocks balls in the dirt well and he quickly developed a rapport with the big league pitching staff. He receives well thanks to his soft hands and has excellent footwork. Though Severino held his own in the big leagues, his bat has long lagged behind his glove. He is best offensively when his swing is short and compact and he works the middle of the field. But he has hit just .251 in four years of full-season ball and has below-average power.
The Future: Ramos’ season-ending injury as he headed for free agency left the Nationals in an uncertain position behind the plate. They traded for Derek Norris in early December, and Severino could work in tandem with the veteran behind the plate as a superior defensive option.
| 2016 Club | AVG | OBP | SLG | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB |
| Syracuse (AAA) | .271 | .316 | .337 | 291 | 25 | 79 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 21 | 19 | 45 | 3 |
| Washington (MLB) | .321 | .441 | .607 | 28 | 6 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 0 |
10. Austin Voth, rhp |
Born: June 26, 1992. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 215. Drafted: Washington, 2013 (5th round). Signed by: Fred Costello.
Background: Voth’s stuff doesn’t match up with other top pitchers in the Nationals system, but he has become the organization’s strikeout king. He led the system in strikeouts for three straight seasons, 2014-16, amassing 414 whiffs in that time. He spent all of 2016 in Triple-A Syracuse’s rotation and joined the 40-man roster in November after finishing the season in the Arizona Fall League.
Scouting Report: Voth pounds the zone with all three of his pitches. His fastball sits around 90 mph and can reach the mid-90s. He has a good feel for his changeup, which has late sinking action. The consistency of his breaking ball has improved, giving him a solid third pitch. Though his stuff isn’t electric, Voth has a good understanding of his craft and mixes his pitches well. That in addition to his above-average control helps him accumulate strikeouts. Built like an innings-eater, he often gets better the deeper he works into games and has thrown more than 150 innings in back-to-back years.
The Future: The Nationals have a deep pitching staff, but now that Voth is on the 40-man roster, he is in line to make his major league debut in 2017. He lacks a plus pitch and has a small margin for error, but his control and above-average changeup give him a ceiling as a possible No. 4 starter.
| 2016 Club | W | L | ERA | G | GS | IP | H | HR | BB | SO | AVG |
| Syracuse (AAA) | 7 | 9 | 3.15 | 27 | 25 | 157 | 138 | 11 | 57 | 133 | .233 |
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