One of the many positives of doing this list each offseason is that it provides excellent insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the Washington Nationals farm system. In addition to having the top pitching prospect in the minor leagues, Lucas Giolito, along with two strong prospects near major league ready in A.J. Cole and Michael Taylor, perhaps the biggest overall asset is the impressive depth throughout the system. In fact, I had originally planned to list only 25 players, but the number of potential major league contributors at the back end extended it to 30 names.

Yesterday I listed the top-10 prospects currently in Washington’s farm system – today in Part-2 I discuss the remaining players that round out this impressive top-30 list.

Also Considered:   Abel de los Santos, Nick Lee, Gilberto Mendez, Matt Purke,  Hector Silvestre, John Simms, Wander Suero, and Drew Vettleson

#30 Stephen Perez SS

Perez has long held the reputation as a dynamic, glove-first shortstop who did not have enough strength to do damage offensively. Then last winter Perez gained 10-15 pounds of pure muscle without losing his athleticism, adding some power to his offensive game and transforming his overall profile. Perez’s game is still built on his excellent defense but his improved physicality could allow him to develop into a valuable utility infielder at the major league level.

#29 Robbie Dickey RHP

Washington’s 4th round selection in 2014, this raw 20-year-old owns a strong 3-pitch arsenal highlighted by a mid-90s fastball. Dickey should begin 2015 in Hagerstown’s starting rotation, though most believe his future resides as a maximum effort 2-pitch reliever.

#28 Matt Skole 1B/3B

A powerfully built man, Skole has impressive left-handed home run power and a keen batting eye but struggles with whiffs and does not profile as adequate defensively at the hot corner. Skole, now 25-years-old, projects as a reserve corner infielder in the major leagues.

#27 Sammy Solis LHP

An extremely talented left-handed pitcher, Solis’s picture is in the dictionary under “injury-prone”, as he has struggled with arm issues most of his collegiate and professional career. Now 26-years-old, this former 2nd round pick has major league quality stuff when he pitches, but until he can stay on the mound for more than a few months, I cannot rank him any higher on this list.

#26 Matt Grace LHP

Grace spent his first three minor league seasons as a starter, but a shift to the bullpen in 2013 has allowed his excellent fastball command and sharp curveball to blossom in relief. Grace posted a 1.17 ERA, 1.104 WHIP, and 62 strikeouts over 77 innings pitched last season between Double-A and Triple-A – this success forced his placement on the 40-man roster this winter. Expect Grace to work as a lefty specialist similar to Jerry Blevins and he should reach the majors sometime in 2015.

#25 Felipe Rivero LHP

A smallish lefty with three quality pitches, Rivero battled injuries for much of last season. If he can remain healthy, the 23-year-old still looks to have a major league future, either as a #5 starter or left-handed reliever.

#24 Tony Renda 2B

This diminutive former 2nd round pick, Renda’s only above-average tool is outstanding bat-to-ball hit ability, but his propensity toward making contact gives him a chance to hit his way to the major leagues.

#23 Taylor Hill RHP

A 6th round pick from Vanderbilt back in 2011, Hill had his second consecutive quality season in the upper minors last season, posting a 2.81 ERA and 86 strikeouts against only 25 walks over 144 innings pitched. His minimal strikeout numbers keep his prospect profile low, but perhaps a shift to the bullpen could help bolster his whiffs while capitalizing on his excellent command.

#22 Raudy Read Catcher

A 2011 international free agent, Read has the reputation as a terrific catch-and-throw defensive catcher with potential offensively as well. Read should begin this season at Hagerstown, and is definitely a major sleeper in the organization.
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#21 Anderson Franco 3B

Signed for $900,000 as an international free agent in 2013, this 17-year-old showed promise last season in the Dominican Summer League, batting .272/.346/.379. Franco is a long way from the majors, but anyone signed for that large a bonus with that type of potential deserves inclusion on this list.

#20 Spencer Kieboom Catcher

Kieboom is an elite defensive catcher with a strong arm, excellent blocking skills and obvious framing ability. The question has always been with his offense, but last season Kieboom hit .309 with 9 home runs at Low-A. Kieboom’s skills behind the plate should allow him to carve out a career as a backup catcher and if he can prove the offensive improvements are legitimate, he could be more than just a backup.

#19 Victor Robles CF

Robles was the top player on the Nationals’ Dominican team last summer and has outstanding physical tools. Washington could challenge Robles and assign him to Low-A Hagerstown to begin 2015. This is a player, perhaps THE player, to watch in 2015 in the system.

#18 Brian Goodwin CF

Washington’s third selection in the 2011 draft, 34th overall, Goodwin has struggled mightily the past two seasons, which has caused him to lose most of his prospect luster. Still only 24-year-old, Goodwin is an excellent athlete who will flash five average or better tools, yet struggles to convert his talent into on-field production. Goodwin has tremendous natural ability and the Nationals have done well in recent years with late blooming outfielders, making him my “pick to click” in 2015.

#17 Drew Ward 3B

Washington’s 3rd round pick in 2013, Ward is a well-built 6-4 210lbs athlete with a strong arm and legitimate home run power in his left-handed swing. The 19-years-old Ward held his own at Hagerstown last summer, though scouts are skeptical of his defense at the hot corner, anticipating an eventual transition to first base. Ward struggles with high strikeout numbers, but the raw tools are there for him to develop into a league-average starting third baseman.

#16 Jefry Rodriguez RHP

Signed by Washington as a non-drafted free agent back in 2012, Rodriguez is a converted shortstop, who while extremely raw on the mound shows promise with an explosive mid-90s fastball and a mid-80s curveball. The Nationals tried to aggressively promote him to Low-A last season, but he struggled, allowing 27 hits in only 17 innings pitched before succumbing to an injury. Only 21-year-old Rodriguez is the biggest sleeper in the organization and has the upside of a #4 starter or late-inning reliever in the majors.

#15 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 inconsistent but 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.

#14 Rafael Bautista CF

An outstanding pure athlete, the 21-year-old, Bautista projects as an above-average to plus defender in center field due to his impressive instincts, plus-plus 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 his slender 6-2 165lbs. frame matures physically, Bautista could develop enough power offensively to become a second-division starter.

#13 Chris Bostick 2B

Acquired from Texas this winter in the Ross Detwiler trade, the 21-year-old Bostick is a well-built 5-11 185lbs. right-handed hitter with above-average speed and absurd “want”. Bostick struggles with strikeouts but counteracts these whiffs with legitimate power, as evidenced by his 31 doubles and 11 home runs this season. Defensively Bostick profiles at second base due to his lack of elite athleticism or a cannon-like arm. Bostick has the potential to be a league-average second baseman if he can cut down on his strikeouts.

#12 Nick Pivetta RHP

Washington’s 4th round pick in 2013, Pivetta is a massive man listed at 6-5 220lbs., who can flash three average or better pitches, highlighted by a powerful mid-90s fastball. Certainly he has plenty of “boom or bust” potential, but his talent is difficult to ignore and if things come together for Pivetta, he has the potential to be a good #4 or #5 starter in the major leagues.

#11 Austin Voth RHP

Selected in the 5th round in 2013, 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.