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Michael Taylor DOB: 3/26/91 Ht. 6’3″ Wt. 210 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats |
Taylor had another career year in 2014, earning a trip to the Futures Game and the Eastern League’s Rookie of the Year award. The biggest question for 2015 is whether he can hit enough to justify his K rate, which scouts believe may always be on the high side. Defensively, Taylor features plus-plus range thanks to his plus speed along with a cannon arm. He will take some walks to get on base, where he becomes a threat to steal (88 SBs in ’13-’14 combined). In spring training, they’ll prattle about him making the big club as a backup, but the smart money is a return to AAA. |
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Brian Goodwin DOB: 11/2/90 Ht. 6’0″ Wt. 200 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats |
A torn labrum ended Goodwin’s 2014 season in early July and casting doubt on whether he’ll be ready and healthy for April 2015. The Nats trotted out the bromide that he was starting to progress when he got hurt, but scouts point to an inability to make adjustments, particularly on soft and/or away stuff. While he doesn’t pile up the SBs, Goodwin is considered a plus runner, which also translates to his skills as a CF. Look for him to return to Syracuse if he’s able to swing without pain. |
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Drew Vettleson DOB: 7/19/91 Ht. 6’1″ Wt. 185 Bats: L Throws: R Career Stats |
A broken left hand (not the hamate) limited Vettleson to just 83 games last season, his first in the Nationals organization as part of the Karns- for-Lobaton trade in February 2014. Vettleson features average power to all fields, but has struggled with selectivity (just 14BB). As a former pitcher (switch, if you’re into Greg Harris and Pat Venditte), he has an above-average arm but is still learning the nuances of playing outfield. Most likely, he’ll repeat Harrisburg to begin 2015. |
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Isaac Ballou DOB: 3/17/90 Ht. 6’2″ Wt. 205 Bats: L Throws: R Career Stats |
Ballou was drafted as a 23-y.o. out of Marshall University in 2013 and has progressed accordingly — Auburn in 2013, split time between Low-A (100 games) and High-A (33) in 2014. Because he’ll be 25, the knee-jerk inference is he’ll start at AA in 2015. Age aside, Ballou has a good all- around game, with both speed and power and decent defense. His walk rate took a dip after his promotion, so if returns to Potomac, it’s likely that the Nats want him to see more High-A pitching before heading to AA. |
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Rafael Bautista DOB: 3/8/93 Ht. 6’2″ Wt. 165 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats |
Bautista led the South Atlantic League with 69 steals and was caught just 15 times for an 82.1% success rate. Thus, it’s no surprise to learn scouts rate his speed and baserunning skills as above-average, which also translate to his defense. At the plate, he’s slasher who gets extra bases with his feet due to well-below-average power. The Suns shifted him from the bottom of the order to the top in the 2nd half without any dropoff, but he’ll need to become more patient to remain there in 2015. |
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D.K. Carey DOB: 11/14/91 Ht. 6’3″ Wt. 185 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats |
Much like Ballou, the hope is that Carey is a late-blooming athlete who will translate his raw ability into skills, which also describes his three seasons at the University of Miami. The Marietta, GA native posted a .710 OPS as 22-y.o. in the NYPL and was one of the top hitters on a(nother) sub-.500 Auburn team. |
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Aldrem Corredor DOB: 10/27/95 Ht. 6’0″ Wt. 202 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats |
Corredor makes the cut due to two factors — youth (turned 19 in Oct.) and a strong on-base percentage (.411) that improved 50-plus points from his 2013 season (.352) in the DSL. His other offensive numbers are mediocre (.235 BA, .271 SLG), so it’s possible that he’ll repeat the GCL but the hope is that the Venezuelan teenager will head to upstate New York in 2015. |