While the Nats have shied away from spending big on one guy, a strategy that has not yielded results thus far, they did spend nearly $6M on four guys:
● OF Samil Serrano, a 17-y.o. out of the D.R. commanded a $1.97M bonus. He’s listed at 6’3″, 175 and features a fluid lefty swing that for now focuses hit-over-power [insert Seaver King reference here] with room to shift toward hitting homers once he “grows into his man body.” Likewise, his average running skill coupled with an above-average arm will probably shift him from CF to a corner OF slot.
● OF Isaias Suarez, another 17-y.o. Dominican, got $1.9M as a 6’2″, 165 “wiry, quick-twitch athlete” per BA with his baserunning and defensive skills far ahead of his bat, thanks to his plus speed. The challenge for the Nats development guys will be to harness his aggressive approach at the plate.
● OF Angel Ramirez, also 17 and from the D.R., got Dr. Evil’s ransom recently converted from SS. A switch-hitter who’s stronger as a lefty, Ramirez’s swing is a little longer but with more power than contact.
● OF Juan Duran won’t turn 17 until July but nevertheless signed for $1M. He’s built more like a 3B (5’11”, 180) but scouts are pegging him for RF despite his limited athleticism because he also has a 3B’s arm.
Eleven other players signed. As per usual, right now we only know names, ages, positions, and country of origin:
- SS Euris Acosta, 17 (D.R.)
- OF Jawel Garcia, 16 (D.R.)
- C Pedro Guerra, 16 (Ven.)
- 3B Rayniel Lache, 17 (D.R.)
- RHP Santiago Moreno, 16 (Ven.)
- C Carlos Mueses, 17 (D.R.)
- RHP Christopher Navas, 16 (D.R.)
- OF Brad Rodgrigues, 17 (Pan.)
- RHP Josue Rondon, 17 (Ven.)
- RHP Aldemaro Sevilla, 16 (Ven.)
- C Luis Tarifa, 19 (D.R.)
It’s worth noting that most of these signings are the work of the previous front office, given how players agree to sign years before they’re eligible [insert NCAA reference here]. This group is also decidedly younger than in years past, with only one 19-y.o. and one player who will turn 18 during the DSL season.