Washington Top Prospect, Lucas Giolito
Building off yesterday’s article in which I announced my selections for the Washington Nationals #20-#11 prospects, today I introduce my choices for the team’s Top-10 Prospects.
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#10 Jakson Reetz
The Nationals 3rd round pick in June, Reetz had supporters among scouts who felt he was the best high school catching prospect in this year’s draft class. An intriguing two-way prospect, Reetz is a quality athlete with a strong arm who profiles as a future above-average defensive catcher. Reetz also has offensive skills, as he has shown the ability to consistently barrel the baseball and should continue to develop power as he matures. One of my favorite prospects in the 2014 draft, Reetz was an absolute steal for Washington.
#9 Blake Treinen
The supposed third player in the Mike Morse trade last year, Treinen has exploded since being acquired from Oakland, showing a heavy high-90s sinker, a hard mid-80s slider, along with a curveball and changeup. But Treinen’s “bread and butter” is his sinker, which is one of the most impressive pitches I have seen in 2014. Treinen is 26-years-old and his other three pitches significantly lag behind his sinker, but Treinen could be a monster late-inning reliever or reasonable #5 starter for the Nationals next season.
#8 Pedro Severino
Signed as an international free agent in 2010, Severino has quickly earned the reputation as one of the elite young defensive catchers in the minor leagues. Armed with a plus arm, above-average or better blocking skills, and noticeable receiving skills, Severino is truly enjoyable to watch behind the plate. Recently able to buy beer legally as a 21-year-old, Severino struggles offensively with a relatively empty batting average and little home run power, although his swing is compact and does not have any real obvious flaws. Severino projects as an outstanding backup catcher, with the potential to be a starting caliber player if his offense shows improvements.
#7 Austin Voth
Selected in the 5th round in 2013, Voth has done nothing but dominate the competition since signing his professional contract, already reaching Double-A this summer. Voth has a strong 3-pitch repertoire consisting of a lively low-90s fastball that he commands well within the strike zone, a mid-80s slider with sharp breaking movement, and an average changeup. Pegged by scouts as a future reliever while in college, Voth’s improved changeup now gives him a strong chance to be a #4 starter in the majors.
#6 Steven Souza Jr
As rare as tuna tartar when drafted in the 3rd round in 2007, Souza took many seasons to turn his outstanding athleticism and tools into production on the field, finally breaking out in 2013 at Harrisburg. With above-average speed and a plus arm, Souza can play all three outfield positions well and profiles as a long-term asset in right field. Offensively Souza has excellent bat speed, massive raw power to all fields, and shows a knack for getting into hitter’s counts. Although he is now 25-years-old, Souza should have a solid career as a starting caliber corner outfielder beginning in 2015.
#5 Brian Goodwin
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#4 Erick Fedde RHP
The Nationals top pick this summer, Fedde was rumored to be a top-5 selection before undergoing Tommy John surgery just days before the June draft. A UNLV alum, Fedde has a prototypical pitcher’s frame with plenty of physical projection remaining, along with a solid 3-pitch mix including a mid-90s fastball, a plus slider, and a developing changeup. Fedde will not return to the mound likely until next summer, but the Nationals have had strong results rehabilitating injured pitchers. Assuming a return to health, Fedde should move relatively quickly through the minor leagues and has the potential to be a #2 or #3 starter.
#2A A.J. Cole RHP
A.J. Cole
A long-time personal favorite of mine, A.J. Cole possesses a strong 4-pitch mix, featuring a powerful mid-90s fastball, an above-average or better changeup with sinking movement, a promising but inconsistent slider, and a below-average “show-me” curveball. Still just 22-years-old Cole has polished his delivery this season and has shown some development with his slider, the two main hurdles to him reaching his ceiling. Cole has the potential to be a strong #3 starting pitcher, with the floor of an impact late-inning reliever, and he should arrive in the majors early in 2015.
#2 Michael Taylor CF
Nationals CF Michael Taylor
A true toolshed type athlete, Taylor has plus speed, an above-average throwing arm, and projects as a plus defensive outfielder in center field. In addition, Taylor has outstanding bat speed, and is one of the few hitters who when he makes contact, the ball “truly sounds different off his bat”, resembling a shotgun blast. Taylor still struggles with offspeed offerings and has plenty of whiff potential, but Taylor has the potential to be an asset defensively and could hit 60+ extra base hits a season at his peak. Taylor recently was called up to the majors, and should permanently remain in the majors beginning next year.
#1 Lucas Giolito RHP
Lucas Giolito
Perhaps the top pitching prospect in the minor leagues, Giolito was the Nationals 1st round pick, 16th overall in 2012 and underwent Tommy John surgery shortly after signing with the team. Now recovered from his surgery, Giolito has been carving up Low-A lineups this summer with a 93-98mph fastball, a true plus mid-80s curveball, and a rapidly developing, future plus changeup. The Nationals have handled Giolito like UPS men are supposed to treat boxes marked “fragile”, but the team should unleash him in 2015, and he could reach the majors as soon as 2016.
