The Nationals have long had a tendency to shift their infield prospects around the diamond, so in some ways, this was inevitable.
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Osvaldo Abreu DOB: 6/13/94 Ht. 6′ Wt. 170 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats |
After splitting time in 2015 between 2B and SS, the 22-y.o. Dominican spent all of 2016 at shortstop and turned in his best season defensively, showing a strong arm and mostly making the routine plays (High-A shortstops that make ’em all are rare). At the plate, he struggled from May to July but found his groove in August (.313/.369/.455). He was sent to the AFL, where he held his own and impressed the scouts. He’ll begin 2017 in Harrisburg. |
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Ian Sagdal DOB: 1/6/93 Ht. 6’3″ Wt. 190 Bats: L Throws: R Career Stats |
Sagdal has spent his career thus far trying to find a position (1B, 2B, 3B, SS, and LF). Second base was where he spent the most time in 2016, hence his inclusion here. The 2015 Draft pick (16th Rd., Wash. St.) broke out on offense, as his OPS improved from .650 to .836, powered by a .366/.408/.590 surge in the second half. Like many collegiate draft picks, he is significantly older than the league average, and will likely start at High-A in ’17 at age 24 (lg. avg. for batters ~22.5). |
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Jake Noll DOB: 3/8/95 Ht. 6’2″ Wt. 195 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats |
The Nationals’ 7th Rd. pick out of Florida Gulf coast, Noll rose from the GCL to Sally Lg. in roughly six weeks, which is uncommon for position players. He spent the majority of his time at Hagerstown, where he produced solid but league-average results (.697 OPS vs .691). Aided by the trade of Max Schrock, he was named to the Washington Organizational All-Star team at second base, which will lead to some folks wondering if he’ll begin in Potomac to start 2017. |
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Carter Kieboom DOB: 9/3/97 Ht. 6’2″ Wt. 190 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats |
Carter Kieboom is the second teenager drafted by the Nats in the 1st round since 2010. If you don’t know who the first was, please don’t vote, drive, or operate power tools. The younger brother of Spencer, the 18-y.o. held his own in the GCL (.765 OPS) showing some power (16XBH) and some whiffs (43K) in 33 games. Scouts consider him a solid, all-around player with line-drive power to the gaps, good infield skills, and a strong arm. Could be challenged with a start of ’17 in Low-A. |