Rafael Bautista’s Bat Makes Progress

WASHINGTON—Speedy outfielder Rafael Bautista began 2017 by playing in intense postseason games for Escogido in the Dominican League. Farm director Mark Scialabba believes that experience can only be good for Bautista.

“The winter leagues, especially the playoffs, provides Rafael with a challenging environment where he is expected to perform at a high level regularly in meaningful games,” Scialabba said.

Bautista did just that by going 6-for-21 (.286) with four stolen bases through nine games. The 23-year-old played mostly right field for Esocgido after splitting the second half of 2016 at Double-A Harrisburg between center and right field.

Bautista played center field exclusively in the first half before Andrew Stevenson was promoted from high Class A Potomac.

“Defensively his arm strength has improved, and he continues to improve his jumps, angles and routes,” Scialabba said.

With Harrisburg, Bautista led the Eastern League with 56 stolen bases (in 66 attempts) and ranked fifth with 77 runs while hitting .282/.344/.341 in 135 games.

Listed at 6-foot-2, 165 pounds, Bautsita hasn’t hit for much power. The righthanded batter collected 12 doubles, four triples and four home runs in Double-A but made strides as a hitter.

“Rafael improved his approach at the plate by creating a more efficient swing,” Scialabba said. “His bat path continues to improve, and he is learning how to incorporate his lower half into his swing.”

Overall, Bautista had a full year of development after missing three months in 2015 with of a broken finger. The Nationals added him to the 40-man roster in November.

“He continues to put pressure on the defense and is a very efficient basestealer,” Scialabba said.

CAPITAL GAINS

• The organization announced that its minor league coaching staffs will remain the same in 2017. The managers are still Billy Gardner Jr. at Triple-A Syracuse, Matthew LeCroy at Harrisburg, Tripp Keister at Potomac, Patrick Anderson at low Class A Hagerstown, Jerad Head at short-season Auburn and Josh Johnson in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League.

• The Nationals hired De Jon Watson as a special assistant to general manager Mike Rizzo. He was most recently senior vice president of baseball operations for the Diamondbacks.