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Zach Walters DOB: 9/5/89 Ht. 6’2″ Wt. 195 Bats: S Throws: R Career Stats |
As semi-predicted in this space a year ago, Walters’s power flipped on in 2013 with 29HRs and a .517 SLG%, which earned him a September callup. Unfortunately, Walters is stuck behind both Ian Desmond and Anthony Rendon and hasn’t played much besides SS (though he’s very athletic and has a strong arm). His ascendance gives the Nats a tough decision: groom him for a utility role or keep him in AAA as inventory and/or trade bait. |
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Wilmer Difo DOB: 4/2/92 Ht. 6′ Wt. 175 Bats: S Throws: R Career Stats |
A three-time watchlister, Difo gets the benefit of the doubt from what would otherwise be considered lackluster numbers due to two factors: (1) He played at every level below AA in the U.S. (2) He showed some decent skills when I saw him in person in Potomac. Best best for 2014 is Hagerstown, though another interpretation of his ’13 usage is that he’s a younger version of Francisco Soriano. |
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David Masters DOB: 4/23/93 Ht. 6’1″ Wt. 185 Bats: S Throws: R Career Stats |
Baseball America praised Masters as the Nationals best defensive pick from the 2013 Draft, noting “excellent hands, above-average arm strength and easy infield actions.” The 14th Rd. pick out of Central Arizona College struggled offensively at Auburn. Scouting reports are few and far between so it would appear Masters is a glove seeking a bat. |
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Osvaldo Abreu DOB: 6/13/94 Ht. 6′ Wt. 170 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats |
One of the inaugural “DSL Guys,” Abreu validated the selection with a strong sophomore season in the GCL (OK, fine: That the Nats have used him almost exclusively at the position was also a clue). About the only category he didn’t improve in was on-base percentage, as his BA, SLG% increased while his K rate and CS% decreased. He doesn’t turn 20 until June, so Auburn seems a bit more likely than Hagerstown for his next destination. |
I wish that I could be more optimistic about Walters, but the large number of errors and lousy plate discipline (OBP <.300 in AAA!) do not fill me with confidence. He had pretty much played his way into OD status prior to 2013. His power switch moves him back into the "interesting" category, but I'm definitely in "show me" mode with him.