Roger Bernadina

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Washington Nationals #22 prospect in 2010
  It took Bernadina five full years just to reach Double-A, but his career finally picked up some momentum in 2007, when his strong play for the Netherlands in the European Olympic qualifier earned him a spot on the Nationals' 40-man roster. He carried that momentum into 2008, posting his best offensive season and earning major league callups in June and September. After starting last season in Triple-A, Bernadina returned to the majors in mid-April but broke his ankle in his third game when his foot got jammed at the bottom of the outfield wall as he was making a highlight-reel catch. He returned in time to play two rehab games in late August and was completely healthy in instructional league, where he made significant progress with his bunting. Bernadina's best tool is his plus-plus speed, which plays very well on the basepaths thanks to his solid instincts. He also has excellent range and a strong, accurate arm in center field, where he's an above-average defender. Bernadina has shortened his swing significantly over the last year, and he has average raw power, but he might never hit enough to hold down an everyday job in the majors. His speed and defense give him value as an extra outfielder, and if he continues to mature offensively he could become a Nyjer Morgan-type player. He should compete for a big league job in the spring.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #18 prospect in 2009
  Bernadina's route to the big leagues has been plodding. He spent three full seasons in low Class A and didn't force his way onto the 40-man roster until his strong performance for the Netherlands in the European Olympic qualifier in 2007. He carried his momentum into 2008, posting by far his best offensive season and earning his first major league callup when Lastings Milledge went on the disabled list in late June. After spending most of July and August in Triple-A, Bernadina returned to Washington for September and struggled to make contact. The fastest runner in the system, he has 65 speed on the 20-80 scouting scale. He stole 41 bases in 52 attempts in the minors in 2008, in line with his career 78 percent success rate. Bernadina's speed translates into excellent range in center field and allows him to compensate for an occasional bad route. His strong, accurate arm completes his outstanding defensive package. Bernadina made much better use of his speed at the plate in 2008, improving his drag bunting and spraying the ball around the field. He has decent raw power and hit the ball with more authority in the past year. Bernadina still has a tendency to cut off his lefthanded swing, pulling the barrel out of the zone too quickly, and despite his offensive progress it's uncertain if he'll ever hit enough to be a big league regular. At the least, he can be a speedy fourth outfielder with strong defensive skills, perhaps as soon as 2009.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #29 prospect in 2008
  The Nationals have been patient with Bernadina, who entered the system as a very raw 17-year-old with a tantalizing toolset, but his progress was frustratingly slow over his first five seasons. He posted a slugging percentage of exactly .369 in three consecutive seasons in Class A, illustrating his inability to translate his decent raw power into results. He hit that magic .369 slugging number again at Double-A in 2007, then exploded at the European Olympic qualifer in Spain in the fall, leading eventual champion Netherlands with a .632/.759/.1.052 line in seven games. Afterward, Washington placed him on its 40-man roster. Bernadina is a plus-plus athlete and a 65 runner on the 20-80 scouting scale, and he's a superb defensive center fielder with a strong, accurate arm. He has gotten better at hitting hard line drives to the gaps, but he still tends to get underneath the ball too much and needs to make better use of his speed. To that end, the Nationals had him focus on improving his bunting in instructional league. Washington wanted him to be more aggressive at the plate, so his walk totals were down in 2007, but so were his strikeouts as he did a better job making consistent contact. Bernadina's bat remains a question mark, but his speed and defense give him a good chance to reach the big leagues as an extra outfielder. He should play at Triple-A in 2008.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #30 prospect in 2006
  In three seasons at low Class A, Bernadina has yet to post an average higher than .238. He remains naturally gifted but unrefined, and the "limited baseball experience" excuse is starting to wear thin. He has plus raw power, but his hitting approach is a mess. Formerly a free swinger, Bernadina has gone too far in the opposite direction and now needs to be more aggressive at the plate. He takes too many called third strikes. He's rigid and mechanical at the plate and doesn't release his hands through the zone. He tried a leg kick last year, but it didn't help. He just needs a freer, more fluid swing, and he needs to eliminate his occasional tendency to dog it. Bernadina is an outstanding defensive center field with plus speed and range to go with a strong, accurate arm, though he could still stand to improve his routes on flyballs. Time is starting to tick away, so the Nationals will get Bernadina as many at-bats as possible and hope something clicks for him in high Class A this year.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #13 prospect in 2005
  Bernadina has continually been touted as the highest-ceiling player in the system, with a caveat--he's raw and young. With three pro seasons under his belt, he still has better tools than any other player in the organization, and he's still raw and young. He repeated low Class A in 2004, increasing his power, walks and stolen bases. But he once again struck out far too often, a problem he'll have to solve before he can become a true threat at the plate. Bernadina has the ability to do it all. His above-average speed and strong arm make him an exciting, natural center fielder. His thin frame is projectable, and he has good baserunning instincts that will only get better. If all goes well, Bernadina can be a five-tool center fielder or right fielder hitting in the middle of a lineup. But he just as easily could flame out in Double-A if he doesn't make the necessary adjustments. He'll move up to high Class A this year.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #11 prospect in 2004
  Bernadina is the last player former Expos director of international operations Fred Ferreira signed before moving to the Marlins. Ferreira signed him out of Montreal's academy in the Netherlands. Bernadina made his full-season debut in 2003 as one of the youngest regulars in the South Atlantic League. Bernadina is a raw, toolsy outfielder with perhaps the highest upside of any position player in the organization. He's a pure hitter with a smooth stroke and quick hands. He shows gap power now and projects to hit with average power. He's a spectacular center fielder with excellent instincts and an average arm. He has above-average speed and should be a factor on the basepaths with more experience. Bernadina comes from a limited baseball background and still has a ways to go in learning the intricacies of the game. He needs to improve his plate discipline but has a solid approach at the plate, considering his age and limited baseball experience. Bernadina profiles as a five-tool center fielder in the majors, and Expos officials often compare his bat to Garret Anderson's. He'll start 2004 as a teenager in high Class A.