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Jacob Rhinesmith Born: 5/22/96 Ht. 6’2″ Wt. 195 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats |
After trying out all three positions in 2018, Rhinesmith settled into RF as his primary position in 2019. He also improved on his power and patience, as his OPS went from .738 to .756 even with a change of level. Unfortunately, he’ll turn 25 in May, a byproduct of a lost 2020 and being picked as a college senior. | |
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Justin Connell Born: 3/11/99 Ht. 6’1″ Wt. 185 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats |
One of just two (2) HS picks that Nats signed in 2017, Connell did not repeat SS-A (14G in ’18) and was instead challenged with full-season ball at the age of 20 in 2019. Despite being 18 months younger than his peers, Connell posted a .658 OPS (.677 lg. avg), which was buoyed by 49 walks (T8th most) in 120 games. If he’s “grown into his man body”—as scouts have noted—we should see more power in 2021. | |
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Ricardo Mendez Born: 1/24/00 Ht. 6′ Wt. 155 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats |
Mendez repeated the NYPL as a 19-y.o. but rewarded the Nats’ faith in him with an All-Star campaign, posting a .677 OPS (Lg. Avg. .650) and earning a bump to Low-A. He struggled for the Suns (.507 OPS in 24G), so the odds are he’ll be back in Hagerstown for 2020. Speed was his plus tool cited when he was signed in July ’16 but his stolen base totals (25 in 160G) and success rate (25/40) have been below-average. | |
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Jake Randa Born: 12/14/98 Ht. 6’1″ Wt. 195 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats |
The Nats’ quixotic quest to strike gold via genetics continues with the son of 12-yr MLBer Joe Randa. The son, who only has 1/2 of his father’s DNA, played all three OF positions in 2019 while trying out all three spots in the OF. He was a shade better than the Lg. Avg. (.656 vs. .650 OPS) and is projected to have an average hit tool with above-average power, despite a .335 SLG% in his first pro season. | |
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Caldioli Sanfler Born: 12/7/97 Ht. 6’2″ Wt. 185 Bats: L Throws: R Career Stats |
Signed as an “old” IFA in April 2016, Sanfler did not debut until he was 19 in 2017 but did impress enough to be named a “DSL Guy.” He was used in 23 games in 2018 but still progress to the next level in 2019, becoming an NYPL All-Star while posting a line of .270/.323/.382 as 21-y.o. | |
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Jorge Hurtado Born: 10/15/00 Ht. 6’1″ Wt. 165 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats |
Hurtado has posted .772 OPS in his two short seasons at the DSL and GCL. Unfortunately, he’s a perfect candidate for how the lack of a 2020 season will hurt because he needs reps on defense to improve with a career fielding percentage of just .961 and barely more assists (7) than errors(4). | |
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Jeremy De La Rosa Born: 1/16/02 Ht. 5’11” Wt. 160 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats |
De La Rosa reportedly held his own in the Alternate Training Camp last summer, not bad considering he was 18 and has just 26 games of pro experience. Most of his skills are at the plate, as he’s shown advanced pitch recognition and plus bat speed that leads to the inevitable comparisons to Juan Soto. Defensively, he’s noted to have an average arm and above-average speed. |