Victor Robles Levels Up

Best Player

The organization’s top prospect has taken his game up a level this season, according to farm director Mark Scialabba.

Center fielder Victor Robles, a 20-year-old righthanded batter, shined in the first half at high Class A Potomac after spending the second half there last year. He hit .299/.391/.534 through 60 games with seven home runs and 13 stolen bases in 19 attempts.

“Robles continues to mature in all phases, and physically he’s much stronger,” Scialabba said of the Carolina League all-star. “He’s improved his jumps, angles and routes in center field and continues to impact the game in the field, at the plate and on the basepaths.”

In the second half of 2016 at Potomac, Robles hit .262/.354/.387 in 41 games. He also missed about three weeks after being hit in the hand with a fastball. Organization officials believed that adversity was a positive for Robles, and he was proving them right with his first half this year.

Biggest Leap Forward

The Nationals had a less-expected all-star performance in the first half from low Class A Hagerstown outfielder Daniel Johnson.

A 2016 fifth-round pick out of New Mexico State, the lefthanded-hitting Johnson hit .310/.375/.569 with 16 home runs through 68 games for the Suns. He led the South Atlantic League in homers and slugging.

“Johnson is becoming a student of the game in all phases,” Scialabba said. “He’s improved his strike-zone discipline. He’s aggressive on pitches he can handle in the strike zone and displaying impressive power to the deep part of the field.”

Johnson had played all three outfield positions for manager Patrick Anderson. After occasionally hitting ninth early in the season, the 21-year-old played his way into the top of the lineup. He was also progressing in other areas and learning to make the most of his plus speed in the outfield.

“He’s made strides on the defensive side of the ball and has impressed our staff with his consistent work ethic, energy and positive attitude,” Scialabba said.