Nats’ Wiseman Knows More Work Is Ahead

WASHINGTON—Rhett Wiseman only thought he was playing every day when he was helping Vanderbilt win a College World Series title in 2014 and then make it back to the finals last year. He found out differently after playing in the short-season New York-Penn League.

Though the third-round pick had what Nationals farm director Mark Scialabba called “a solid start to his professional career,” Wiseman knew he had work to do after the Auburn Doubledays’ season ended. He started simplifying his swing in instructional league and was putting in more work this offseason in San Diego with Troy Gingrich, the organization’s hitting coordinator.

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“It was a pretty long season transitioning right from the CWS to pro ball,” Wiseman said. “But your swing’s always changing with your body. At Vandy, the biggest thing was having a couple of days off and being able to work on things. Now I’ve moved myself in position where I have more of a line-drive approach, using the entire field.”

Wiseman, a 21-year-old lefthanded hitter, had .248/.307./.376 numbers in 210 at-bats for Auburn while stealing six bases in eight attempts. He played right field, as he did in his final year with the Commodores after previously playing all three outfield positions.

“He’s a fiery, competitive athlete that is beginning to show the ability to make adjustments—a coachable young man with a great attitude,” Scialabba said.

Wiseman has shown leadership since he was school president in high school as a junior and senior.

“That feels like so long ago,” said Wiseman.

On the field, the 6-foot, 200-pound Wiseman is doing plenty to impress Nationals officials.

“He has a very strong, physical frame, utilizes his above-average speed well and plays the game the right way,”
Scialabba said. “He has good instincts in the outfield, covers a lot of ground and has a solid-average arm.”

CAPITAL GAINS

• Double-A Harrisburg announced that it will share Metro Bank Park with the City Islanders of the United Soccer League. The soccer team will play 10 of its 15 home games in the stadium.

• Outfielder Brian Goodwin, a 25-year-old who struggled at Harrisburg last season, had a big winter with Margarita in the Venezuelan League. He hit .316/.401/.459 in 133 at-bats.