MLB Pipeline named the 10 best prospects for each position and the Washington Nationals were given some love. Victor Robles, Carter Kieboom and Luis Garcia all ranked in the top 10 for their respective position. Here is a description of the young and bright talent that Washington is grooming.
Victor Robles
Victor Robles, the Nationals top-ranked prospect, was ranked the second-best outfield prospect and it is not surprising why. Last year in Triple-A, Robles hit .276 with two home runs, 10 RBIs and had 14 stolen bases. Robles was limited last season due to injuring his elbow two weeks into the season. This led to a down season and allowed for Juan Soto to be called up before him. While the injury set him back, Washington fans aren’t complaining about the emergence of Soto. After recovering from his injury, Robles was called up at the end of the season and played in 21 games for the Nats. In 21 games, he hit .288 with three home runs, 10 RBIs and had three stolen bases.
According to MLB Pipeline’s scouting report of Robles, “Robles is a plus hitter from the right side of the plate with a short, explosive swing that yields hard contact from line to line. Though not a power threat, Robles has enough juice in his bat to project at least average game power, and he’ll always offer value with his on-base skills because he has an advanced approach and controls the strike zone well. Robles’ plus-plus speed is his biggest weapon and he ranked second among Nat’s big leaguers in sprint speed (29.3 feet per second, per Statcast) last season, trailing only Trea Turner (30.1). That speed also makes Robles a game-changing defender in center field, where he has exceptional range and instincts, as well as arm strength that’s among the best in the Minors at the position.”
He is projected to be the starting center fielder unless Washington resigns Bryce Harper. Robles will team up with Trea Turner to terrorize opponents on the base paths.
Carter Kieboom
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MLB Pipeline ranked Carter Kieboom as the sixth best shortstop prospect. He is the younger brother of Nationals back up catcher Spencer Kieboom as well as the future second basemen of the team. With Trea Turner patrolling short, it makes sense to move Kieboom over to second. Last year in single and double-A, Kieboom hit .280 with 16 home runs, 69 RBI’s and had nine stolen bases.
According to MLB Pipleine, “Kieboom impresses scouts with plus bat speed and loose wrists as part of a balanced right-handed swing. He’s comfortable hitting to all fields, with plus raw power to his pull side that should play more from line to line as he gets stronger. He did a better job in 2018 of striking balance in his approach and consistently put together strong at-bats. While not a basestealing threat, Kieboom does have average speed, which plays up thanks to his quick feet and excellent instincts. Kieboom has worked hard to improve his defense as a pro and projects to be at least average, with the necessary range, hands and arm strength to profile elsewhere on the infield if forced off shortstop. A move to second base, where he saw reps during the Arizona Fall League, is a possibility.”
Kieboom is over a year away, but the team is no rush to move him up and ruin his development. They signed Brian Dozier to a one year deal and if he can prove last year was a fluke, they would be willing to resign him to another short term contract. This will allow for Kieboom to continue to rake at the lower levels and hone his abilities.
Luis Garcia
Image Courtesy of Minor League Ball.
MLB Pipeline ranked Luis Garcia as the 10th best shortstop prospect. He is the son of a former major leaguer and is taking the minors by storm. Last year in low and high A, Garcia hit .298 with seven home runs, 54 RBI’s, and had 12 stolen bases. His offensive prowess has him moving up the Nationals farm system ranks.
According to MLB Pipeline, “Garcia has a knack for making good contact across the entire field using a quick, hands-y swing from the left side of the plate. His hand-eye coordination and feel for the barrel translate to plus bat-to-ball skills, and it’s easy to envision Garcia hitting for more power as he continues to add strength and understand his swing. He’s lost a step since signing, but still has at least above-average speed and is lauded as a smart baserunner.”
He joins Kieboom as the next two middle infield prospects to help bolster the Nationals depth. Due to Trea Turner being the future at short, switching positions seems like a possibility similar to Kieboom. Garcia has taken some reps at second and third in the minors. If starting third baseman Anthony Rendon leaves in free agency next year, look for Washington to have Garcia move and develop at the hot corner for the long term..
Feature Image From Twitter.
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