Yasel Antuna

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #4 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Signed for $3.85 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2016, Antuna had not played much in 2019 or 2020 thanks to injuries and the pandemic, save for a very impressive stint at the alternate training site in 2020. That rust showed in a 4-for-67 start at High-A Wilmington in 2021, but a late-season push in which he hit .315 in July and August helped him finish strong and get back on track. As much as anything else, it was valuable for Antuna to get through a full season healthy and productive.
  
  Scouting Report: Antuna has one of the most exciting offensive profiles in the Nationals’ system. A switch-hitter who is seen as being better from the left side, his bat speed and repeatable swing from both sides help him hit the ball to all fields with authority. A couple of adjustments during the season in 2021, including getting his lower half more involved in his swing and switching from a two-handed finish to a higher one-handed finish are viewed as helping him work back from the extended slump early in the season. He’s a plus athlete, but there have always been questions about his viability as a shortstop. To that end, the organization worked with him on transitioning to the outfield corners.
  
  The Future: Antuna was always destined to be a bat-first prospect, but a move to the outfield provides clarity on his profile. As long as he hits, he will continue to move. Double-A is his next stop.
  
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #4 prospect in 2021
  Hitting: 50. Power: 60. Run: 50. Fielding: 45. Arm: 50.
  TRACK RECORD: Antuna struggled with injuries after signing for $3.85 million in 2016, but he accrued hundreds of reps at the alternate training site against upper-level pitchers in 2020. He hit 11 home runs during one two-week period and showed arguably the best hitting ability and power potential in the Nationals’ system.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Clear from the Tommy John surgery and leg injuries that kept him off the field for nearly two years, Antuna showed what he can do when healthy. The switch-hitter has plus bat speed, a relaxed approach and a repeatable swing from both sides of the plate. He hits home runs to all fields from both sides and has no problem catching up to upper-90s velocity. He has among the best strike-zone judgment in the system and an advanced two-strike approach. He also showed improved ability to recognize and hit offspeed pitches. Antuna’s future positional home is up for question. He has improved his footwork and exchanges around second base to give him a better chance to stay in the middle infield. He’ll remain a shortstop for now but may move to a corner as he gets bigger.
  
  THE FUTURE: Antuna’s bat gives him a chance to move up the system quickly as long as he stays healthy. His fantastic summer gives him a chance to see the upper minors in 2021.
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #9 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Antuna signed for $3.85 million on July 2 as the Nationals' top signee in the 2016 international class. While fellow 2016 signee Luis Garcia has played a full season in Double-A, Antuna has yet to reach high Class A. He was limited to just three games in 2019 due to Tommy John surgery and leg injuries. He has just 502 at-bats in three years.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: When healthy, the switch-hitting Antuna has a smooth swing from both sides of the plate and the strength to impact the ball. He has shown plus raw power potential and an easy looseness to his swing. He flashed his potential at low Class A Hagerstown in the middle of 2018 before going down with an elbow injury that required surgery. Before Tommy John, Antuna had a plus arm from shortstop and the soft hands and body control to remain at the position. Antuna posted a .220/.293/.331 line before his surgery at low Class A Hagerstown of the South Atlantic League.
  
  THE FUTURE: Antuna got bigger and stronger during his rehab, so the organization expects to see a more physical player with line-drive power when he returns in 2020. He'll be just 20 years old all of next season and has time to get back on track.
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #9 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: The No. 14 international prospect in the 2016 class, Antuna signed for a Nationals international record of $3.85 million and had a strong debut in the Gulf Coast League in 2017 before taking a step back at the plate and having Tommy John surgery in 2018.
  
  Scouting Report: Antuna signed for nearly $4 million thanks to his offensive potential as a switch-hitter with above-average raw power. In 2018 he struggled mightily with the bat because he lacked a consistent plate approach. He also looked better from the right side than the left. Antuna's power hasn't yet shown up in games, but scouts see raw strength in batting practice. His large frame and terrific work ethic in the gym could produce a more powerful hitter in the future. Defensively, Antuna has smooth actions and strong hands at shortstop, but he had issues with throwing accuracy and sat back on balls too frequently. When healthy, Antuna had plus arm strength, but that will have to be re-evaluated when he returns in mid-2019.
  
  The Future: Antuna still has upside thanks to his physical tools, but he has plenty of work to do when it comes to refining his game--both offensively and defensively. He must develop a consistent offensive approach and get the reps necessary to improve his confidence.
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #10 prospect in 2018
  Antuna ranked as the No. 14 international prospect in 2016, when he signed for $3.85 million and broke the Nationals' franchise record for an international amateur. He shows a calm hitting approach from both sides of the plate and the ability to man the left side of the infield. Antuna has a line-drive approach and similar-looking swings whether batting lefthanded or right. However, he struck all but one of his 12 extra-base hits in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League batting lefthanded, which is his natural side. Antuna has a projectable frame, long limbs and wide shoulders. That physicality allows evaluators to dream on his power potential, and he has a chance to be an impact hitter down the line thanks to his polished approach. At the same time, Antuna probably will outgrow shortstop and already is an unreliable defender who recorded a .815 fielding percentage in 2017. He frequently played third base in the GCL, in part because of Washington's glut of young shortstops at that level. Antuna has enough arm for shortstop, so he will see more time there in 2018, possibly at low Class A Hagerstown, to improve his consistency.
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #25 prospect in 2017
  Attracted by his bat, scouts have followed Antuna since he was 13, and he ranked No. 14 in the 2016 international signing class. He signed with the Nationals for a $3.85 million bonus, a franchise-record for an international signee. Antuna has a calm approach at the plate and solid bat-to-ball skills. His swing is more geared for line drives, but he could develop average power in time. He started switch-hitting as a 16-year-old and is more advanced from his natural left side. Antuna showed good athleticism and above-average run times early in the scouting process, but he has grown more physical and may end up moving off shortsop position as a result. His arm strength is good enough for third base if he does have to move, but the Nationals will give him a chance to develop at short. One concern is Antuna rarely dominated in games in a way scouts would have liked to see, but the overall components for success are present. He will start his professional career in 2017 in the Dominican Summer League.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Florida Complex League #5 prospect in 2017
  Antuna scored Washington's biggest international bonus ($3.9 million) in the Nationals' pool-busting 2016 signing period. Antuna's strength as an amateur was his bat, which showed in his pro debut. He has a calm, patient approach and controls the strike zone well for his age. A switch-hitter who started hitting from the right side at the end of 2015, Antuna gets himself into a good hitting position, has good bat speed and hand-eye coordination to make contact and spreads line drives across the field with gap power. Antuna's athleticism was a question mark as an amateur, but that's no longer the case. He's gotten stronger, faster and more athletic since signing, as he's worked hard to increase his first-step quickness. Defense, however, remains a focal point for Antuna to improve. Splitting time between shortstop and third base, Antuna committed 26 errors in 36 games. He has to improve his internal clock and cut down on throwing mistakes. Shortstop is a longshot, though he has the arm strength to stay on the left side of the infield at third base if he can clean up his defense.

• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Signed for $3.85 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2016, Antuna had not played much in 2019 or 2020 thanks to injuries and the pandemic, save for a very impressive stint at the alternate training site in 2020. That rust showed in a 4-for-67 start at High-A Wilmington in 2021, but a late-season push in which he hit .315 in July and August helped him finish strong and get back on track. As much as anything else, it was valuable for Antuna to get through a full season healthy and productive.
  
  Scouting Report: Antuna has one of the most exciting offensive profiles in the Nationals&#39 system. A switch-hitter who is seen as being better from the left side, his bat speed and repeatable swing from both sides help him hit the ball to all fields with authority. A couple of adjustments during the season in 2021, including getting his lower half more involved in his swing and switching from a two-handed finish to a higher one-handed finish are viewed as helping him work back from the extended slump early in the season. He&#39s a plus athlete, but there have always been questions about his viability as a shortstop. To that end, the organization is currently working with him on transitioning to the outfield corners.
  
  The Future: Antuna was always destined to be a bat-first prospect, but a move to the outfield provides clarity on his profile. As long as he hits, he will continue to move. Double-A is his next stop.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Signed for $3.85 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2016, Antuna had not played much in 2019 or 2020 thanks to injuries and the pandemic, save for a very impressive stint at the alternate training site in 2020. That rust showed in a 4-for-67 start at High-A Wilmington in 2021, but a late-season push in which he hit .315 in July and August helped him finish strong and get back on track. As much as anything else, it was valuable for Antuna to get through a full season healthy and productive.
  
  Scouting Report: Antuna has one of the most exciting offensive profiles in the Nationals’ system. A switch-hitter who is seen as being better from the left side, his bat speed and repeatable swing from both sides help him hit the ball to all fields with authority. A couple of adjustments during the season in 2021, including getting his lower half more involved in his swing and switching from a two-handed finish to a higher one-handed finish are viewed as helping him work back from the extended slump early in the season. He’s a plus athlete, but there have always been questions about his viability as a shortstop. To that end, the organization worked with him on transitioning to the outfield corners.
  
  The Future: Antuna was always destined to be a bat-first prospect, but a move to the outfield provides clarity on his profile. As long as he hits, he will continue to move. Double-A is his next stop.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 50. Power: 60. Run: 50. Fielding: 45. Arm: 50.
  TRACK RECORD: Antuna struggled with injuries after signing for $3.85 million in 2016, but he accrued hundreds of reps at the alternate training site against upper-level pitchers in 2020. He hit 11 home runs during one two-week period and showed arguably the best hitting ability and power potential in the Nationals' system.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Clear from the Tommy John surgery and leg injuries that kept him off the field for nearly two years, Antuna showed what he can do when healthy. The switch-hitter has plus bat speed, a relaxed approach and a repeatable swing from both sides of the plate. He hits home runs to all fields from both sides and has no problem catching up to upper-90s velocity. He has among the best strike-zone judgment in the system and an advanced two-strike approach. He also showed improved ability to recognize and hit offspeed pitches. Antuna's future positional home is up for question. He has improved his footwork and exchanges around second base to give him a better chance to stay in the middle infield. He'll remain a shortstop for now but may move to a corner as he gets bigger.
  
  THE FUTURE: Antuna's bat gives him a chance to move up the system quickly as long as he stays healthy. His fantastic summer gives him a chance to see the upper minors in 2021.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 50. Power: 60. Run: 50. Fielding: 45. Arm: 50.
  TRACK RECORD: Antuna struggled with injuries after signing for $3.85 million in 2016, but he accrued hundreds of reps at the alternate training site against upper-level pitchers in 2020. He hit 11 home runs during one two-week period and showed arguably the best hitting ability and power potential in the Nationals’ system.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Clear from the Tommy John surgery and leg injuries that kept him off the field for nearly two years, Antuna showed what he can do when healthy. The switch-hitter has plus bat speed, a relaxed approach and a repeatable swing from both sides of the plate. He hits home runs to all fields from both sides and has no problem catching up to upper-90s velocity. He has among the best strike-zone judgment in the system and an advanced two-strike approach. He also showed improved ability to recognize and hit offspeed pitches. Antuna’s future positional home is up for question. He has improved his footwork and exchanges around second base to give him a better chance to stay in the middle infield. He’ll remain a shortstop for now but may move to a corner as he gets bigger.
  
  THE FUTURE: Antuna’s bat gives him a chance to move up the system quickly as long as he stays healthy. His fantastic summer gives him a chance to see the upper minors in 2021.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 50. Power: 60. Run: 50. Fielding: 45. Arm: 50.
  TRACK RECORD: Antuna struggled with injuries after signing for $3.85 million in 2016, but he accrued hundreds of reps at the alternate training site against upper-level pitchers in 2020. He hit 11 home runs during one two-week period and showed arguably the best hitting ability and power potential in the Nationals’ system.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Clear from the Tommy John surgery and leg injuries that kept him off the field for nearly two years, Antuna showed what he can do when healthy. The switch-hitter has plus bat speed, a relaxed approach and a repeatable swing from both sides of the plate. He hits home runs to all fields from both sides and has no problem catching up to upper-90s velocity. He has among the best strike-zone judgment in the system and an advanced two-strike approach. He also showed improved ability to recognize and hit offspeed pitches. Antuna’s future positional home is up for question. He has improved his footwork and exchanges around second base to give him a better chance to stay in the middle infield. He’ll remain a shortstop for now but may move to a corner as he gets bigger.
  
  THE FUTURE: Antuna’s bat gives him a chance to move up the system quickly as long as he stays healthy. His fantastic summer gives him a chance to see the upper minors in 2021.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Antuna signed for $3.85 million on July 2 as the Nationals’ top signee in the 2016 international class. While fellow 2016 signee Luis Garcia has played a full season in Double-A, Antuna has yet to reach high Class A. He was limited to just three games in 2019 due to Tommy John surgery and leg injuries. He has just 502 at-bats in three years.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: When healthy, the switch-hitting Antuna has a smooth swing from both sides of the plate and the strength to impact the ball. He has shown plus raw power potential and an easy looseness to his swing. He flashed his potential at low Class A Hagerstown in the middle of 2018 before going down with an elbow injury that required surgery. Before Tommy John, Antuna had a plus arm from shortstop and the soft hands and body control to remain at the position. Antuna posted a .220/.293/.331 line before his surgery at low Class A Hagerstown of the South Atlantic League.
  
  THE FUTURE: Antuna got bigger and stronger during his rehab, so the organization expects to see a more physical player with line-drive power when he returns in 2020. He’ll be just 20 years old all of next season and has time to get back on track.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Antuna signed for $3.85 million on July 2 as the Nationals' top signee in the 2016 international class. While fellow 2016 signee Luis Garcia has played a full season in Double-A, Antuna has yet to reach high Class A. He was limited to just three games in 2019 due to Tommy John surgery and leg injuries. He has just 502 at-bats in three years.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: When healthy, the switch-hitting Antuna has a smooth swing from both sides of the plate and the strength to impact the ball. He has shown plus raw power potential and an easy looseness to his swing. He flashed his potential at low Class A Hagerstown in the middle of 2018 before going down with an elbow injury that required surgery. Before Tommy John, Antuna had a plus arm from shortstop and the soft hands and body control to remain at the position. Antuna posted a .220/.293/.331 line before his surgery at low Class A Hagerstown of the South Atlantic League.
  
  THE FUTURE: Antuna got bigger and stronger during his rehab, so the organization expects to see a more physical player with line-drive power when he returns in 2020. He'll be just 20 years old all of next season and has time to get back on track.
• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  Antuna has struggled offensively in his first full season this year in the South Atlantic League. He’s playing shortstop nearly every day after splitting time at the position last season, with the club hoping to improve his foundation defensively and give him a shot to stick there in the future. He’s more comfortable there and his footwork has improved, but he’s had issues with throwing accuracy.
• December, 2017 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Antuna ranked as the No. 14 international prospect in 2016, when he signed for $3.85 million and broke the Nationals' franchise record for an international amateur. He shows a calm hitting approach from both sides of the plate and the ability to man the left side of the infield. Scouting Report: Antuna has a line-drive approach and similar-looking swings whether batting lefthanded or right. However, he struck all but one of his 12 extra-base hits in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League batting lefthanded, which is his natural side. Antuna has a projectable frame, long limbs and wide shoulders. That physicality allows evaluators to dream on his power potential, and he has a chance to be an impact hitter down the line thanks to his polished approach. At the same time, Antuna probably will outgrow shortstop and already is an unreliable defender who recorded a .815 fielding percentage in 2017. He frequently played third base in the GCL, in part because of Washington's glut of young shortstops at that level. The Future: Antuna has enough arm for shortstop, so he will see more time there in 2018, possibly at low Class A Hagerstown, to improve his consistency.