Reflecting on the current state of the Nationals minor league system, the organization finds itself at an interesting crossroads; three years ago the Nationals had the top overall system in baseball, but due to trades, graduations to the major leagues, and the lack of a 1st round selection last June, the farm system lacks the sizzle it did a few years ago. However, possessing the #19 pick in the 2014 draft, the expected stateside debuts of several players from the 2013 prospect-rich Dominican roster, and the return from injury for several players, the Nationals system should look significantly more impressive twelve months from now.
That said, continuing yesterday’s article in which we counted down from #30, these are the Top 10 prospects currently in the Washington Nationals minor league system.
#10 Matt Skole 3B/1B
After exhibiting power potential with 27 homers in 2012, Skole underwent Tommy John surgery in April which caused him to essentially lose a full year of development in 2013. Skole has massive power and has shown an aptitude defensively at first base, but scouts question if his propensity to strike out will limit his power numbers in the majors. He is a big league talent, with his ability to make contact defining whether he is a starter or a reserve player.
#9 Steven Souza Jr. OF
An extremely raw prospect when drafted by the Nationals in the 3rd round in 2007, Souza has slowly begun to turn his enormous tools into production on the field, hitting .300/.396/.557 with 15 home runs and 20 stolen bases in 77 games at Double-A Harrisburg in 2013. With good speed and a strong throwing arm, Souza profiles as an above-average defensive right fielder. Offensively Souza has excellent raw power to all fields but struggles with contact issues. Souza could be the next in a long line of late developing outfielders in Washington.
#8 Jake Johansen RHP
The Nationals top selection in the 2013 draft, 68th overall from Dallas Baptist University, Johansen is a raw 23-year-old pitcher with a 93-97mph fastball and an intriguing but inconsistent slider. A massively built 6-6 235lbs, Johansen will be developed as a starting pitcher but profiles better as a late-inning reliever. A boom-or-bust type prospect, Johansen has closer potential if the Nationals can refine his mechanics and improve his breaking ball.
#7 Pedro Severino Catcher
Signed by Washington as an international free agent in 2010, Pedro Severino has quickly built a reputation within the organization, and throughout minor league baseball, as one of the best young defensive catchers currently in the minors. The 20-year-old Severino possesses a strong, accurate throwing arm, is a quiet receiver behind the plate, and garners high marks for his ability to manage a pitching staff, quite noteworthy at his stage of development.
Severino spent last season in Low-A and held his own offensively, hitting .241/.274/.333 in 282 at-bats. Certainly his defensive skills are well ahead of his hitting ability, but Severino has a quality swing and could emerge as one of the best prospects in the farm system this time next year.
#6 Michael Taylor CF
Nationals CFMichael Taylor
An elite defensive centerfielder with outstanding speed and a strong throwing arm, Taylor began to turn his immense tools into production in 2013, hitting .263/.340/.426 with 10 home runs and 51 stolen bases. Like many young hitters, Taylor struggles to make contract and will face a difficult challenge with Double-A pitching in 2014, but if he can continue to make more contact at the plate, Taylor has a ceiling as an everyday starting center fielder.
#5 Matt Purke LHP
Drafted in the 3rd round of the 2011 draft, Purke has only been able to throw 105.1 innings since signing with Washington, as he has battled a myriad of injuries to his pitching shoulder. Now healthy, reports have Purke’s velocity back in the 90-94mph range while flashing the occasional above-average slider and changeup. Purke is aggressively ranked here and has plenty of boom or bust potential due to his past injuries, but if he remains healthy, he could become a #4 starter in the majors as soon as Opening Day 2015.
#4 Sammy Solis LHP
Solis has endured an injury-riddled career since being drafted in the 2nd round in 2010, only throwing 160.1 innings since becoming a Washington National. Now 25-years-old and armed with a quality three pitch mix highlighted with a 92-94mph fastball and devastating hammer curveball, Solis has an outside chance of pitching in Washington sometime next season.
#3 Brian Goodwin OF
A still raw 23-year-old center fielder, Goodwin was the Nationals third selection, 34th overall, in the supplemental 1st round of the 2011 draft from Miami-Dade CC. An outstanding athlete with above-average to plus speed, Goodwin flashes above-average defensive potential with 15-20 home run power at the plate. If he can reduce his strikeouts and polish his overall game, Goodwin has the potential to be a rare above-average offensive and defensive major league center fielder.
#2 A.J. Cole RHP
An impressive 22-year-old starting pitching prospect, Cole is armed with a powerful mid-90s fastball, an above-average changeup with downward sinking movement, and a promising, but underdeveloped slider. Cole still lacks refinement to his breaking ball, and needs to polish his delivery, but he has the potential to develop into an excellent #3-#4 starter in the near future.
#1 Lucas Giolito RHP
The Nationals 1st round pick, 16th overall in 2012, Giolito underwent Tommy John surgery shortly after signing with Washington. Giolito has apparently fully recovered from this injury and reports have his repertoire back to his pre-surgery levels, which includes a 94-98mph fastball, a powerful mid-80s curveball, and a potentially Strasburg-like changeup. Certainly he needs development time in the minor leagues, but Giolito is easily one of the best pitching prospects currently in the minors and his talent could quickly force his way through the system.