Midseason Prospect Update: Nationals

The Midseason Top 10 Prospect lists are compiled from conversations with front office officials and scouts from all 30 teams. Players who have exhausted prospect eligibility or were in the Major Leagues as of June 22 are not eligible. Draftees from the 2016 draft and July 2, 2016 signees are also not eligible.

SEE ALSO: Midseason Top 100

In manager Dusty Baker’s first year in Washington, the Nationals raced off to a strong start and were in first place in the National League East at the season’s mathematical halfway point.

2019 PROJECTED LINEUP

C Wilson Ramos

1B Ryan Zimmerman

2B Danny Espinosa

3B Anthony Rendon

SS Trea Turner

LF Victor Robles

CF Michael Taylor

Right field: Bryce Harper

No. 1 Starter: Stephen Strasburg

No. 2 Starter: Lucas Giolito

No. 3 Starter: Max Scherzer

No. 4 Starter: Joe Ross

No. 5 Starter: Gio Gonzalez

Closer: Reynaldo Lopez

Washington’s core provided much of the firepower, with righthanders Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg fronting the rotation, and though Bryce Harper hasn’t repeated his otherworldly 2015 season, he has anchored the middle of the lineup.

Around Harper, the Nationals have put together one of the best offenses in the league, with the newly formed double-play combination of second baseman Daniel Murphy and shortstop Danny Espinosa producing an unexpectedly potent duo.

With so many veterans performing, the Nationals have had few opportunities for rookies, but top prospect Lucas Giolito did make his much anticipated debut in June, when the Nationals needed a starter due to an injury to Strasburg. How long Giolito stays in the big leagues remains to be seen, but his arrival showed the District what the fuss has been about since he was drafted 16th overall in 2012.

Lefthander Sammy Solis has established himself in the bullpen, becoming a trusted reliever. Catcher Pedro Severino and shortstop Trea Turner made brief cameos in the big leagues, but, to this point, the Nationals have been able to stick with their veterans.

With such a strong, experienced roster, the Nationals don’t have any glaring needs to address at the trade deadline. But, with general manager Mike Rizzo’s penchant for making deals and track record of finding talent in trades, Washington will likely make some sort of move before the deadline. Rizzo has assets to trade from, as the farm system remains in good shape and received an extra influx of talent in the draft, thanks to the two first-round picks the Nationals had.

Whatever they do, the Nationals will try to avoid the second-half malaise they suffered last year when they were passed down the stretch by the Mets.

MIDSEASON TOP 10

1. Lucas Giolito, rhp

Giolito, the Nationals’ top prospect for the last three years, made his much anticipated major league debut June 28, throwing four scoreless innings before a rain delay brought an early end to his day. The big righthander started the year at Double-A Harrisburg slowly, but found himself by late May and was ready for the call to the big leagues. Giolito still has room for development, especially as he continues to work to refine his command, but he is closer than ever to reaching his potential as a big league starter.

2. Trea Turner, ss

After making his big league debut last year, Turner returned to Triple-A Syracuse to start the season. He briefly returned to the major leagues, but has largely spent this season honing his game in the International League. He has primarily played shortstop, but the Nationals have also given him some time at second base and center field to build his positional versatility. He is ready offensively for whenever his next chance in Washington comes.

3. Victor Robles, of

Last year’s breakout star, Robles has continued to build on that momentum in his first year of full-season ball. Ultra-toolsy, Robles turned 19 in May and is advanced for his age in all facets of the game. He is still learning the intricacies of professional baseball, but has proven to be a quick learner.

4. Reynaldo Lopez, rhp

One of the best pitchers in the Eastern League in the first three months of the season, Lopez struck out 100 batters—a new career high—in 76 1/3 innings before getting promoted to Syracuse. He has done a better job of repeating his delivery and his fastball command has improved as a result.

5. Erick Fedde, rhp

Fedde entered this season fully healthy after missing part of last year as he recovered from Tommy John surgery. His command, often the last thing to come back after surgery, has improved, and he continues to develop his changeup to complement his above-average fastball-slider combination.

6. A.J. Cole, rhp

Typically a slow starter, Cole stayed true to form this season, but has shown steady improvement as the year has gone on. He added 10 pounds of muscle in the offseason, which has helped him maintain his velocity better. He made his big league debut last year and is again an option in the second half.

7. Wilmer Difo, ss

With Turner still in Syracuse, Difo returned to Harrisburg this season. He has only seen action at shortstop this season, a departure from previous years, and his footwork and arm strength has improved. While his OPS is down this year, his peripherals remain steady and he is still dynamic on the base paths.

8. Andrew Stevenson, of

Stevenson began his first full professional season at high Class A Potomac and earned a promotion to Harrisburg after hitting .304/.359/.418 in 68 games. He’ll never hit many home runs, but he has shown the ability to drive the ball into the gaps for extra-base hits.

9. Austin Voth, rhp

Voth has never been the Nationals’ flashiest prospect, but he steadily progressed through the minor leagues. He’s been a solid member of the rotation in Syracuse, as he has continued to pound the zone and take advantage of his feel for pitching to get outs.

10. Drew Ward, 3b

The Nationals sent Ward back to Potomac to begin this season, and he excelled at the plate in his second tour of the Carolina League. He hit a career-high 11 home runs in 70 games before earning a promotion to Harrisburg. He has also continued to progress defensively, giving him more of a chance to stick at third base.

RISING

Righthander Koda Glover has shot through the system, reaching Syracuse by the end of June. He throws from a steep downhill angle thanks to his 6-foot-5 frame and relies mostly on his fastball-slider combination. He could be in the big leagues by the end of the year, and could throw high-leverage innings for the Nationals in time. . . . Second baseman Max Schrock has also gotten off to a solid start to his professional career, hitting .326/.381/.459 with Hagerstown before getting promoted to Potomac in late June. While he has seen some time at shortstop, he profiles well at second base. . . . Outfielder Juan Soto was the Nationals’ biggest signing on the international market last year. Soto skipped over the Dominican Summer League, instead starting his professional career in the Gulf Coast League. Before the GCL opened, he excelled in extended spring training, showing off above-average bat speed and an advanced feel at the plate.

FALLING

Shortstop Osvaldo Abreu has not built on a strong 2015 performance as he advanced to Potomac. The improved discipline he showed last year has remained, but he isn’t driving the ball as well, and his power numbers have suffered as a result. . . . Righthander Austen Williams has been slow to adjust after being promoted to Harrisburg. His sinker hasn’t been quite as effective, and he is getting hit more than he had been at the lower levels.

HURTING

Bothered by back soreness, third baseman Anderson Franco has not yet played this season. The Nationals have worked with him to strengthen his core and hope he will be able to return to action soon. . . . Lefthander Taylor Hearn started his first full professional season with Hagerstown, but soon landed on the disabled list when he broke his foot while covering first base. He spent the rest of the first half recovering, but completed his rehab and was set to return to Hagerstown in early July.

GRADUATING

After battling injuries at the outset of his career, lefthander Sammy Solis, a second round pick in 2010, has found a role in the Nationals bullpen. He was one of the team’s best relievers since being recalled in late April, and has been more than a lefthanded specialist, often throwing multiple innings in relief.

COMING ABOARD (Check Draft Database for all picks)
The Nationals’ first five picks of the 2016 draft. (s-supplemental round)

1. Carter Kieboom, ss, Walton HS, Marietta, Ga. The younger brother of Nationals farmhand Spencer Kieboom, Carter Kieboom stood out as one of the best prep hitters in the draft class. He consistently finds a way to barrel balls and should grow into average power. His athleticism should allow him to remain at shortstop.

1. Dane Dunning, rhp, Florida. While Dunning would have been a Friday starter for most teams in the country, the depth of Florida’s pitching staff gave the Gators the luxury of using him primarily in relief this spring. He’ll be a starter in pro ball, however. He fills up the strike zone with his mix of a low-90s fastball, changeup and slider.

2. Sheldon Neuse, 3b, Oklahoma. A shortstop/closer at Oklahoma, Neuse will give up pitching and slide over to third base in the minor leagues. He has the powerful bat and arm strength to profile at the hot corner if he can find a consistent approach at the plate.

3. Jesus Luzardo, lhp, Douglas HS, Parkland, Fla. Luzardo was generating early buzz this spring before he was injured and had Tommy John surgery in March. The Nationals have an extensive history of helping pitchers come back from surgery and, if they can help Luzardo recover as they did with Stephen Strasburg and Lucas Giolito, they will get another premium pitcher, who ran his fastball up to 97 mph early this spring.

4. Nick Banks, of, Texas A&M. A two-time member of USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team, Banks’ performance slipped this spring at Texas A&M. He profiles best as a right fielder, where his power and arm strength will play well, but he’ll need to cut down on his swing-and-miss.