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.

****
#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

The amount can be taken orally before the lovemaking movement , yet it most likely is not fitting to take more than one pill for every day . cheap cialis is said to be a very famous product to solve this issue. So you can get more benefits at very buy levitra australia low prices.if you want to know more about my services or products quality please visit my website today. It http://opacc.cv/opacc/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/documentos_Protocolo%20Primavera.pdf cialis discount pharmacy works by increasing the blood circulation in the organs of reproduction. Dapoxetine conversely additionally gets absorbed inside 40-60 minutes; however the greatest effect is arrived at in 1 hour buy levitra online 30 minutes. The Nationals third pick in the 2011 draft, 34th overall, Goodwin has taken an apparent step backwards in 2014, struggling mightily at Triple-A. A still raw 23-year-old centerfielder, Goodwin is a quality athlete who flashes 5 average or better tools, yet struggles to make his skills translate into on-field production. A personal favorite prospect of mine, I still believe in Goodwin’s potential and I am willing to gamble that the “light turns on” in 2015. Perhaps over-ranked here at #5, I still envision Goodwin blossoming into a rare above-average offensive and defensive center fielder in the future.

#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.

Nationals Park Opening Day 2014

Now that the July 31st MLB Trade Deadline is in our rearview mirror and the minor league season rapidly heading toward its conclusion on Labor Day, this felt like an opportune time to update my Washington Nationals Top-20 Prospect List. As Mrs. NatsGM can attest to, I have spent significant time in minor league parks this season scouting National’s prospects, so I feel very confident in the quality of this list.

Overall the National’s farm system is steadily improving, as this list feels significantly stronger than a year ago, after the graduations of Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon had depleted what was once considered the top system in baseball a few short years ago. While the middle of this list feels slightly underwhelming, the Nationals can boast perhaps the top pitching prospect in baseball, Lucas Giolito, plus several players nearly ready to contribute at the major league level. The pundits, and myself, generally rated the National’s system toward the bottom third in baseball this past offseason, but with a solid 2014 draft and the development of several other players, this system should rank closer to middle-of-the-pack this winter.

My criterion for this list prioritizes, in order, the prospect’s possible ceiling, their likelihood to fulfill their potential, their positional value, and finally, how far they are from reaching the major leagues. In order to be on this list, the arbitrary cutoffs I used were 50+ major league innings for pitchers and more than 125 big league at-bats. With this in mind, here are my current #20-#11 National’s prospects.

Others Receiving Consideration:
Robert Benincasa, Anderson Franco, Taylor Hill, Destin Hood, Reynaldo Lopez, Jeff Kobernus, Eury Perez, Matt Purke, Tony Renda, Felipe Rivero, Hector Silvestre, and Drew Vettleson.

#20 Sammy Solis LHP

An extremely talented left-handed pitcher, Solis made noise during spring training with some quality performances that had him being mentioned for a possible bullpen role. Unfortunately Solis injured himself (again) in May, a recurring theme in his career. Now 26-years-old, this former 2nd round pick has been shut down much of the season with elbow discomfort, not a positive for someone with past Tommy John surgery on his resume. Solis is a major league quality pitcher, but until he can stay on the mound for a few months consecutively, I cannot rank him any higher on this list.

#19 Stephen Perez SS

Nationals SS Prospect Stephen Perez

No one prospect in my recent memory has improved more in one season than Stephen Perez, whom I had labeled as a glove-first prospect lacking enough power or bat speed to reach the majors last year. Last winter the 23-year-old Perez gained 10-15 pounds of pure muscle without losing any athleticism, adding some power to his offensive game and transforming his overall profile. While Perez’s reputation is still as a dynamic defensive shortstop with a strong arm, his improved physicality could allow him to develop into below-average starter or valuable utility infielder at the major league level.

#18 Matt Skole 3B/1B

A powerfully built man, Skole has impressive left-handed home run power and a keen batting eye; unfortunately after a breakout season in A-ball in 2012, he missed all of last season with an injury and has struggled in his return in 2014, hitting only .242/.353/.382 with 9 home runs in 393 at-bats. Skole, now 25-years-old, projects as a reserve corner infielder in the major leagues.

#17 Jake Johansen RHP

The Nationals top pick in the 2013 draft, 68th overall, Johansen is armed with one of the best fastballs in the organization, along with an at times above-average slider – unfortunately thus far in his career he has not been able to turn his raw tools into production. Only 23, there is still time for things to click for Johansen, who has late-inning reliever upside if everything comes together for him.
Do some workouts and keep your Learn More tadalafil 20mg generic figure eye catching for all. This is special about VigRX Plus. * cialis no rx show a number of side effects, while VigRX Plus doesn’t show any side effects, it is unlikely that any of them can lead to ED. viagra? viagra 100 mg is the most effective and cheapest treatment for failure of male reproductive organ to attain stiffness. But the same buy tadalafil thing happened another day and this time he was unable to maintain his penile erection. While men are seen to be associated with hypoglycaemia (low generic cialis overnight slovak-republic.org blood sugar) and uterine bleeding.
#16 Rafael Bautista CF

A terrific pure athlete with plus speed, Bautista has been one of the best players for Hagerstown this summer, batting .286 with 60 stolen bases for the Suns. Only 21-year-old, Bautista profiles as an above-average or better defensive centerfielder due to his solid instincts, excellent speed, and fringe-average arm. His defensive skills and game-changing speed should allow him to reach the majors as a backup outfielder, and if he develops physically as he matures, he could profile as a second-division starter.

#15 Drew Ward 3B

Nationals Prospect Drew Ward

Washington’s 3rd round pick last summer, Ward is a well-built 6-4 210lbs athlete with a strong arm and legitimate home run power in his left-handed swing. Only 19-years-old, Ward has done an impressive job more than holding his own at Low-A Hagerstown this season, posting a .272/.345/.426 batting line with 9 home runs in 94 games. Scouts are not sold on his defense at third base, expecting an eventual transition to first base, and are skeptical of his strikeout totals (98 in 357 at-bats this season), but concede his ceiling could be a future starting third baseman. A personal favorite of mine, I am expecting a breakout season from Ward in 2015.

#14 Nick Pivetta RHP

A 2013 4th round pick from a New Mexico junior college by way of the Canadian Junior National team, Pivetta was viewed as a raw pitcher who could flash three average or better pitches with plenty of projection remaining. A massive man at 6-5 220lbs, the 21-year-old Pivetta has held his own in 2014 at Hagerstown, posting a 4.15 ERA, a 1.37 WHIP, 6.91 K/9 ratio, and a 2.93 BB/9 ratio over 110.2 innings pitched. Pivetta has plenty of “boom or bust” as a prospect, but his skills and potential could allow him to develop into a solid #4 or #5 starter in a few years.

#13 Aaron Barrett RHP

Nearly ineligible for this list, Barrett has blossomed from a 9th round pick in 2010 into one of Matt Williams most trusted relief pitchers in 2014. Armed with an above-average fastball and a downright filthy slider, Barrett should be a fixture at the back of the Nationals bullpen for much of the rest of this decade.

#12 Jefry Rodriguez RHP

A converted infielder, Rodriguez has only pitched for two seasons, but has already shown plenty of promise with a mid-90s fastball and an impressive mid-80s curveball with above-average future potential. Rodriguez struggled with his promotion to Low-A Hagerstown earlier this summer, allowing 27 hits in only 17 innings pitched, but the newly 21-year-old has regained his form at short-season Auburn. Jefry has the upside of a potential #4 starter in a few years, and should be a popular name in trade discussions this winter.

#11 Wilmer Difo 2B/SS

Along with Rafael Bautista, Difo has been a dynamic force at the top-of-the-lineup for Hagerstown, hitting .303/.346/.453 with 11 home runs and 41 stolen bases this season while splitting time at both shortstop and second base. The 22-years-old Difo is an excellent athlete with above-average speed and a solid-average arm, making him a better fit at second base or center field long-term. Difo possesses noteworthy bat speed and the knack for barreling the baseball, meaning he has a chance to continue to hit atop the lineup in the future. One of the true breakout prospects in the Nationals system this year, Difo stands an excellent chance to develop into a starting quality player in the future.

* Please return tomorrow, Tuesday 8/12, as I unveil my Nationals #10-#1 Prospects.*