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Isaac Ballou DOB: 3/17/90 Ht. 6’2″ Wt. 205 Bats: L Throws: R Career Stats |
Ballou’s promotion from Potomac to Harrisburg last summer felt “social” – especially after a terrible June (.177/.275/.215 in 21G). But it serves as a reminder that stats aren’t the be-all, end-all that we’d like them to be. Ballou pounded AA pitchers for an .876 OPS over the next 49 games and went 6-for-20 in September for AAA Syracuse. He was originally touted as a late bloomer when he was drafted in 2013. If so, he could spend 2016 in Syracuse with a voodoo doll in hand for a callup. |
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Rafael Bautista DOB: 3/8/93 Ht. 6’2″ Wt. 165 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats |
A broken finger sidelined Bautista for nearly three months last summer but it was apparent even in the 50-some-odd games at Potomac that he has the tools of the speedy flycatcher, though he did not appear to be as polished defensively as a Michael Taylor or Eury Perez at the same stage of their careers. Bautista played extensively in the Dominican Winter League and did well (.846 OPS in 39G), which led BA to predict he’ll be bumped up to Harrisburg for 2016. |
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Estarlin Martinez DOB: 3/8/92 Ht. 6’1″ Wt. 185 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats |
After splitting time between levels in 2013 and 2014, Martinez spent all of 2015 in Potomac and showed steady improvement, though it was a bipolar pattern from month-to-month (good-bad-good-bad-good). After splitting time between 1B and the OF the previous three seasons, Martinez instead alternated between LF and RF and played adequate defense at both corners. While he probably should begin 2016 in AA, it would not be a surprise if the Nats return him to High-A. |
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Alec Keller DOB: 5/19/92 Ht. 6’2″ Wt. 200 Bats: L Throws: R Career Stats |
His Princeton pedigree not withstanding, Keller is an athlete with good size and speed. So it may surprise you to learn that he has as many HR’s as most of you reading this (nada). The 2014 pick played just two games in Auburn two years ago, so 2015 was essentially his first pro season. Keller can play all three OF positions, makes the routine plays though he’s probably best suited to LF. The guess here is that he returns to Woodbridge to refine his game (i.e. more power and more walks). |
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Andrew Stevenson DOB: 6/1/94 Ht. 6′ Wt. 185 Bats: L Throws: L Career Stats |
Thanks to the signing of Max Scherzer, Stevenson gets the title of the Nats top pick of the 2015 Draft though he was picked in the 2nd Round after leading LSU to the College World Series. Defense is his calling card, and as you might have already inferred, he possesses plus speed as well. Like a lot of centerfielders, his arm is below average, and like many top-of-the-order hitters, his offense is built more around contact vs. power. Could be challenged with Potomac to start 2016. |
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Victor Robles DOB: 5/19/97 Ht. 6′ Wt. 185 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats |
Robles went from the third-best DSL bat in 2014 to the third-best Nats prospect with a stellar 2015 season (.352/.445/.507 combined, GCL and NYPL). A potential five-tool player, Robles currently has “doubles” power with extra-base hits coming via line drives to the gaps, but scouts believe he’ll start clearing the fences as he physically matures, though he’s already an excellent athlete with plus speed. Despite playing just 23 games at Auburn, the prediction is he’ll start 2016 in Hagerstown. |
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Telmito Agustin DOB: 10/9/96 Ht. 5’10” Wt. 160 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats |
Agustin was one the 2014 Top 5 DSL Bats, so naturally, it’s satisfying to see the young American (USVI) progress in 2015. Agustin was the best hitter not named Robles for the G-Nats, showing unusual power (.469 SLG%) and patience (.380 OBP) in an age-18 season. Also hit well in a brief cameo (7G, 986 OPS) for the Auburn Doubledays, where the smart money says he’ll return in 2016 (the dumb money says he’ll leapfrog Robles or return to the GCL; just sayin’ 😉 |
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Darryl Florentino DOB: 1/1/96 Ht. 6’2″ Wt. 175 Bats: L Throws: R Career Stats |
Florentino hit well (.793 OPS) in 26 games with the G-Nats, but struggled in 24 games with the Doubledays (.574 OPS). He turned 20 on New Year’s Day, so it’s not a lock that he’ll return to Auburn. There’s very little to be found on him online aside from stat sites (and this site) where we will freely admit this is a scouting-by-boxscore selection. |