Brian Goodwin Stats & Scouting Report

AB	1244
AVG	.244
OBP	.318
SLG	.44
HR	50

Full name Brian Christopher Goodwin
Born 11/02/1990 in Rocky Mount, NC
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Miami Dade CC
Debut 08/06/2016
Drafted in the C-A round (34th overall) by the Washington Nationals in 2011 (signed for $3,000,000).

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Goodwin has been under the microscope this year and has responded well. He was a 16th-round pick out of Rocky Mount (N.C.) High in 2009 but didn't sign and went to North Carolina, where he posted a solid .291/.409/.511 freshman season. Goodwin then went to the Cape Cod League and ranked as the No. 6 prospect after hitting .281/.364/.360. Then he was suspended for a violation of university policy at North Carolina, so he transferred to Miami-Dade JC. He got off to a slow start thanks in part to a tweaked hamstring, but Goodwin came on to earn comparisons to ex-big leaguer Jacque Jones. Goodwin has average to plus tools across the board, starting with his hitting ability. He's patient, draws walks and has present strength, and some project him to have future plus power. A plus runner who's not quite a burner, Goodwin has the tools for center field, but he played a corner spot at North Carolina and doesn't consistently display natural instincts in center.

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Organization Prospect Rankings

After an impressive professional debut in 2012, Goodwin struggled to find traction over the next three seasons in the upper minors. He began to get back on track with a strong showing in winter ball in Venezuela after the 2015 season and carried that performance into 2016. He earned a spot in the Triple-A All-Star Game and made his major league debut in August. Goodwin never lost the tools and athleticism that made him the 34th overall pick in 2011, and was able to harness them more consistently in 2016. He worked to simplify his swing and improved his approach at the plate. Those adjustments allowed his fast hands and bat speed to play, and he did a better job of driving the ball. An above-average runner, his speed and instincts make him a solid defender in center field. He has solid-average arm strength and appeared at all three outfield positions during his time in the big leagues. Goodwin's tools give him a chance to be an everyday player, but he is more likely to find a role as a fourth outfielder. He could earn a spot on the Nationals' bench in 2017, or return to Triple-A Syracuse to start the season.
Toolsy and athletic, Goodwin impressed during his pro debut, reaching Double-A Harrisburg and finishing the 2012 season in the Arizona Fall League. He has been unable to repeat that success, however. He spent 2014 at Triple-A Syracuse before a torn labrum in his left shoulder sidelined him for the final two months of the season, but he was unable to get going with Double-A Harrisburg in 2015. Goodwin still flashes the tools that made him the 34th overall pick in 2011, but he just hasn't been consistent enough when he's on the field. He creates good bat speed and has worked to simplify his swing, and while he walks frequently he also strikes out too much for a player without big-time power. He also struggles to hit lefthanders. An above-average runner, his speed and instincts make him a solid defender in center field. Goodwin spent the offseason playing winter ball in the Venezuelan League and will hope to build some momentum he can carry over to the 2016 season.
Goodwin has yet to capitalize on the raw ability that prompted the Nationals to sign him for $3 million in 2011. They pushed him to Double-A Harrisburg by the second half of 2012, but he followed a lackluster 2013 with a horrific 2014 campaign at Triple-A Syracuse that ended on July 1 when he tore the labrum in his left shoulder sliding into second base. The Nationals believe Goodwin was just starting to make some progress before he got hurt, but scouts have been disappointed by his inability to make adjustments. He has bat speed and can turn on fastballs middlein, but he cannot handle offspeed stuff or anything away from him. The Nationals have been trying for years to get him to stay in his legs and let his hands work for him, but he can't break the habit of pulling his lead shoulder and lunging. Goodwin has average power potential, but must become more aggressive in order to tap into it. His high walk rate is more befitting of a leadoff hitter, though. Goodwin remains a plus runner with plus defensive skills in center field and a solid-average arm. While the odds now seem remote, the Nats hope Goodwin is just a late bloomer like current center fielder Denard Span. His shoulder rehab was going well in the offseason, and the club added him to the 40-man roster in November. He faces a likely return to Syracuse in 2015, assuming he's ready to swing the bat.
After signing for $3 million in 2011, Goodwin reached Double-A by the second half of 2012, but he has struggled at that level for the last year and a half. He hit just .204 against Double-A lefties in 2013, but he showed a more disciplined approach in the final month. Goodwin has tantalizing five-tool ability. His best tool is his speed, which rates as a 65 on the 20-80 scale, but he still needs to refine his routes in center field and his basestealing acumen. He has at least a chance to be a solid-average to above-average defender with an average arm. Goodwin has plenty of bat speed and average power potential, but he still has work to do at the plate. His approach can still be segmented, causing his swing to be late. If he can get himself into better hitting position more consistently and learn to chase fewer lefthanded breaking balls, he could become a slightly above-average hitter. Some evaluators think Goodwin has all-star potential, while others view him as a borderline regular or even an extra outfielder. He figures to reach Triple-A in 2014 and could compete for a big league job by 2015.
Signed for $3 million as a 2011 sandwich pick, Goodwin made progress refining his impressive raw tools in his first full pro season. He showed speed, power and plate discipline while starring at low Class A Hagerstown, then continued to dazzle with his physical ability despite having less success in Double-A and the Arizona Fall League. Goodwin has worked hard to put his hands into better hitting position, free up his swing and make it less rotational. When he's going well, he stays short to the ball, waits on offspeed stuff and drives pitches from left-center to right field. When he struggled at Harrisburg, he got pull-happy and chased pitches up and away. Goodwin must improve against southpaws, who held him to a .246 average last season. But his quick hands and feel for the strike zone give him a chance to be a tablesetter, and he generates enough leverage to add solid power. He's also an above-average runner, though he's still learning to use his speed on the basepaths and in center field. He has a chance to be a plus defender with a solid arm. He could be a dynamic player in the mold of Curtis Granderson with less power and better on-base skills. Goodwin figures to start 2013 back in Double-A, and Washington's center-field job could be his in 2014.
Goodwin put together a strong freshman year at North Carolina in 2010 but got suspended for the 2011 season after violating university policy. He transferred to Miami Dade JC, where he started slowly, thanks in part to a tweaked hamstring. He bounced back to go 34th overall in the draft, signing just before the Aug. 15 deadline for $3 million. An athletic specimen, Goodwin has the makings of five average or better tools. His best is his speed, which draws grades ranging from plus to plus-plus. He's still learning to steal bases and take charge in center field, where he can become an above-average defender. He has a solid arm and a quick release. Goodwin flashed electric bat speed and showed a patient, gap-to-gap approach in college, but he arrived at instructional league with a rotational, upper-body, metal-bat swing. The Nationals worked with him on using his lower half more and getting his quick, strong hands into better hitting position. He projects as a .275 hitter with 20 or more homers per year. Goodwin needs time to develop, but he has the tools to be an impact center fielder who hits in the top third of a big league lineup. He'll debut in low Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

Following a strong summer in which he earned a midseason promotion from low Class A Hagerstown to Double-A Harrisburg, Goodwin continued to excel this fall, finishing with a .238 batting average but with 11 extra-base hits (three of them homers), fifth in the AFL. A supplemental first round selection in 2011, Goodwin has an impressive power-speed profile, displaying surprising lefthanded power potential and plus speed in both center field and on the base paths. In the AFL Rising Stars Game, Goodwin led all offensive performers going 2-for-5, with a double and home run.
A hamstring injury that knocked him out for five weeks was the only thing that stopped Goodwin in the SAL. Before he skipped a level to Double-A in mid-July, he showed jaw-dropping athleticism and all five tools. His plus power potential and speed make Goodwin at least a 20-20 candidate once he reaches the majors, though he's still learning how to read pitchers. His short stroke and disciplined approach should allow him to hit for a high average as well. Defensively, he's a quality center fielder with solid arm strength. "He's made huge strides," Daubach said. "From last instructional league to now, he's made more progress than anyone in our organization. The tools have always been there. His demeanor also doesn't change. It's odd for a young player to be that mature as far as going about his business on a daily basis."
The Nationals' instability in center field hints at why they rushed Goodwin from low Class A to Harrisburg on July 19, despite the fact that he had missed five weeks in April and May with a serious hamstring injury. Though his skills aren't as refined as Bradley's, Goodwin's raw tools are a tick louder and he has a similar ceiling as a potential first-division center fielder and leadoff hitter. Goodwin fought to survive after the two-level jump and hit a respectable .252/.312/.400 in the EL after a 8-for-51 (.157 start). A wiry yet strong athlete, he has surprising over-the-fence power, while his speed means he'll leg out plenty of extra-base hits. His compact lefty stroke gives him a chance to hit for average, especially when combined with his discerning batting eye and willingness to use all fields. Scouts expect Goodwin will become a successful and intuitive basestealer with experience. Plus range and a solid arm suggest that he'll be able to hold down center field for a while.

Top 100 Rankings

Best Tools List

Rated Best Athlete in the Washington Nationals in 2013

Scouting Reports

Background: Signed for $3 million as a 2011 sandwich pick, Goodwin made progress refining his impressive raw tools in his first full pro season. He showed speed, power and plate discipline while starring at low Class A Hagerstown, then continued to dazzle with his physical ability despite having less success in Double-A and the Arizona Fall League. Scouting Report: Goodwin has worked hard to put his hands into better hitting position, free up his swing and make it less rotational. When he's going well, he stays short to the ball, waits on offspeed stuff and drives pitches from left-center to right field. When he struggled at Harrisburg, he got pull-happy and chased pitches up and away. Goodwin must improve against southpaws, who held him to a .246 average last season. But his quick hands and feel for the strike zone give him a chance to be a tablesetter, and he generates enough leverage to add solid power. He's also an above-average runner, though he's still learning to use his speed on the basepaths and in center field. He has a chance to be a plus defender with a solid arm. The Future: He could be a dynamic player in the mold of a Curtis Granderson with less power and better on-base skills. Goodwin figures to start 2013 back in Double-A.
Following a strong summer in which he earned a midseason promotion from low Class A Hagerstown to Double-A Harrisburg, Goodwin continued to excel this fall, finishing with a .238 batting average but with 11 extra-base hits (three of them homers), fifth in the AFL. A supplemental first round selection in 2011, Goodwin has an impressive power-speed profile, displaying surprising lefthanded power potential and plus speed in both center field and on the base paths. In the AFL Rising Stars Game, Goodwin led all offensive performers going 2-for-5, with a double and home run.
Background: Goodwin put together a strong freshman year at North Carolina in 2010 and in the Cape Cod League that summer but got suspended for the 2011 season after violating university policy. He transferred to Miami Dade JC, where he started slowly, thanks in part to a tweaked hamstring. He bounced back to go 34th overall in the draft, signing just before the Aug. 15 deadline for $3 million. Scouting Report: An athletic specimen, Goodwin has the makings of five average or better tools. His best is his speed, which draws grades ranging from plus to plus-plus. He's still learning to steal bases and take charge in center field, where he can become an above-average defender. He has solid arm strength and a quick release. Goodwin flashed electric bat speed and showed a patient, gap-to-gap approach in college, but he arrived at instructional league with a rotational, upper-body, metal-bat swing. The Nationals worked with him on using his lower half more and getting his quick, strong hands into better hitting position. He projects as a .275 hitter with 20 or more homers per year. The Future: Goodwin needs time to develop, but he has the tools to be an impact center fielder who hits in the top third of a big league lineup. He'll make his pro debut in low Class A.