 |
Robert Hassell Born: 8/15/01 Ht. 6’2″ Wt. 195 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats |
One of the key players acquired in the Juan Soto trade, Hassell was drafted 8th overall in 2020 by the Padres and has risen from Low-A to AA in just two pro seasons. His 2022 ended after just two games in the AFL with a broken hamate bone, which may sap his already fringy power. However, his true value lies in above-average on-base, bat-to-ball, baserunning, and throwing skills. | |
 |
Jeremy De La Rosa Born: 1/16/02 Ht. 6′ Wt. 199 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats |
De La Rosa’s strong 2021 September turned out to be a preview of his 2022 with Fredericksburg, as he cut down his K rate from 34% to 26%, proving scouts right. He also improved his stock on defense, as he’s now considered above-average for both the arm and the glove. His season ended in late August with a broken hamate bone and surgery. | |
 |
Jacob Young Born: 7/27/99 Ht. 6′ Wt. 180 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats |
Young racked up 13 steals in 26G in ’21, which was a preview for ’22 as the 23-y.o. became the first Nats minor-leaguer to steal 50+ bases since 2016 (Rafael Bautista). Alas, only 20 of his 122 hits were went for extra bases, which is a disturbingly low total for his speed. Young may have trouble cracking the High-A OF with the ↑three guys↑ above expected to begin ’23 there. | |
 |
T.J. White Born: 7/23/03 Ht. 6’2″ Wt. 210 Bats: S Throws: R Career Stats |
White had two months where he was AWOL on offense but also posted OPS’s of .923 (Apr.), 1.040 (June), and .865 (August). White features the classic profile of a switch-hitter: power as a LHB, average as a RHB. His defense remains below average, even when hidden in LF. The CW is that he’ll be kept there as long as possible since he still has less than 100 games in OF. | |
 |
James Wood Born: 9/17/02 Ht. 6’7″ Wt. 240 Bats: L Throws: R Career Stats |
The first thing you’ll notice about Wood is his size. As you might expect, he hits for plus-plus power and was fast and athletic enough to steal 20 bases in 25 attempts in ’22. Despite 75K in 76G, scouts like his pitch-recognition skills and attribute the whiffs to aggressiveness. Currently a CF, scouts believe he’ll be shifted to a corner to take advantage of his arm. | |
 |
Christopher De La Cruz Born: 3/29/01 Ht. 5’11” Wt. 145 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats |
A former “DSL Guy” (2020), De La Cruz rebounded from a disappointing 2021 (.180/.395/.262) to post a .709 OPS across two levels in 2022. As with most IFAs (presumably) signed for less than six figures, there’s not much to be found beyond the boxscores. The 43BB in 76G stateside games is promising, however. | |
 |
Jared McKenzie Born: 5/16/01 Ht. 6′ Wt. 180 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats |
The Nats are gambling that they’ll get the guy who tore up the Big-12 in his first two seasons (.389 in 67G) and not the one who struggled in the Cape League in ’21 (read: wood bat). The 5th Rd. pick debuted in Low-A and hit .400 with 2HR and 15RBI in 17G while stealing 11 bases. Scouts like his line-drive, all-fields approach but worry that he won’t take enough walks. | |
 |
Roismar Quintana Born: 2/6/03 Ht. 6’1″ Wt. 175 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats |
Two hamstring tears, um, hamstrung Quintana for 2021 (7G) and forced him to repeat the level, where he flourished in 2022 (.781 OPS, 5HR). While he only struck out 46 times in 50G, scouts worry that that will get worse as he rises up the ladder. Nevertheless, they’d like to see him get more aggressive. Quintana is a natural RF and the belief is he’ll stick there. | |
 |
Elijah Green Born: 12/04/03 Ht. 6’3″ Wt. 225 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats |
As you might expect from the son of an NFL tight end (Eric), Green has size, strength, and power. Likewise, those six extra-base hits came at the cost of 21K in 12G in the FCL. What you might not expect: He can run and throw, too. In addition to the swing-and-miss in his offensive game, there are some concerns about his ability to handle elevated velocity, both of which he’ll probably get tested at Low-A this season. | |
 |
Brenner Cox Born: 5/11/04 Ht. 6’3″ Wt. 195 Bats: L Throws: R Career Stats |
The Nats dropped $1M to sign this TX two-sport star away from UT, so, no pressure. Cox homered once and drove in five in 10 FCL games, posting a line of .286/.366/.400 in 42PA and striking out 14 times. Due to football (see above: TX) taking away about half the summer, Cox has more tools than experience. Odds are he’ll return to the FCL in ’23 to get it. |