Carolina Clubs: Potomac Nationals
By Myrtle Beach Pelicans Media
by John Vittas
Today is Day 3 of our tour around the Carolina League. So far, we’ve previewed the Frederick Keys and Wilmington Blue Rocks. Today, we continue to head south into Virginia, to take a look at the Potomac Nationals:
Season Meetings (19):
April 26–28 @ Potomac (3)
June 4–7 @ Myrtle Beach (4)
June 16–19 @ Potomac (4)
June 30-July 3 @ Myrtle Beach (4)
September 2–5 @ Potomac (4)
Coaching Staff:
Manager — Tripp Keister
(2015 — same position)
Pitching Coach — Franklin Bravo
(2015 — same position)
Hitting Coach — Luis Ordaz
(2015 — Hitting Coach, Hagerstown Suns — Low-A — WSH)
2015 In Review:
The P-Nats were consistently below average in 2016, finishing 65–74 with sub-.500 marks in both halves. They became accustomed to playing low-scoring games, as they finished second-worst in runs scored, yet boasted strong league ranks in pitching: second in K/9 (7.6), second in H/9 (8.2) and third in ERA (3.31).
Ten of their top eleven pitchers in innings posted ERAs below 4.10 and prospects John Simms, Austen Williams and Lucas Giolito were all below 2.75. On the other hand, no hitter with at least 100 at bats hit above .276.
Nationals Organizational Ranks (#5 System by Baseball America):
Hitting: B
Pitching: B+
Top-End Talent: A
Depth: B
Overall: B+
State of the Nationals
The Nationals have done an excellent job building from within over the past handful of years, putting together some of the most talented rosters in recent seasons. It’s yielded them two division championships but not much more. Losing Ian Desmond, Jordan Zimmermann, Drew Storen and Denard Span this offseason will only make surpassing the defending National League champion Mets a taller task. However, Washington still has a strong pitching staff and possesses maybe the best player in the game in Bryce Harper. New manager Dusty Baker is now in charge of resurrecting a toxic clubhouse, so 2016 is a difficult one to predict for the Major League club. The farm system, however, is still unanimously ranked in the top-third in the game, and should continue to give Washington plenty of talent to work with.
Here’s who should be making an impact for the 2016 Potomac Nationals:
Prospects to Watch
(Scouting grades on 20–80 scale according to MLB.com)
Erick Fedde, RHP, #4 MLB.com (#78 Overall), #4 Baseball America
Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55 | Overall: 55
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Age — 23, 6–4, 180–1st Round Pick (18th Overall) in 2014 (UNLV)
The Nationals coaching staff and scouts everywhere will be keeping a close eye on Erick Fedde’s development in 2016. It will be his first full season since recovering from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in college while at UNLV. When healthy, Fedde has the look of a Major League starting pitcher. Tall and athletic, his low-to-mid 90s fastball gets on hitters quickly and his off-speed stuff has a chance to be just as impactful.
Andrew Stevenson, OF, #8 MLB.com, #8 Baseball America
Hit: 50 | Power: 30 | Run: 60 | Arm: 35 | Field: 65 | Overall: 50
Age — 21, 6–0, 185–2nd Round Pick in 2015 (LSU)
Stevenson is a true burner who can take over games with his speed — a playing style that’s proven to be a dying breed. His bat will determine his future, as the Nationals have been working with him on adding power. Regardless of how he hits, fans can expect to be thoroughly entertained by Stevenson’s spectacular outfield defense and reckless abandon on the bases.
Osvaldo Abreu, SS/2B, #12 MLB.com, #15 Baseball America
Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45
Age — 21, 6–1, 170 — Signed in 2012 (Dominican Republic)
The Dominican native showed major improvement at the plate last season, adding power and maturity to his game. He has the tools to be a successful middle infielder, and the Nationals are hopeful that his strong work ethic can take him even further. Abreu will likely spend the entire season with Potomac, as he did with Hagerstown last year.
Rafael Bautista, OF, #16 MLB.com, #13 Baseball America
Hit: 45 | Power: 30 | Run: 70 | Arm: 50 | Field: 60 | Overall: 45
Age — 23, 6–2, 165 — Signed in 2012 (Dominican Republic)
Bautista could end up in Double-A Harrisburg soon, but if he starts the season with Potomac, expect him to be another National that will impact the game with his legs. Bautista has plus-plus speed that translates well to both centerfield and the basepaths. He finished second in the Minors with 69 steals in 2014, and has developed nicely despite missing half of last season with a broken finger.
Rhett Wiseman, OF, #23 MLB.com, #21 Baseball America
Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45
Age — 21, 6–0, 220–3rd Round Pick in 2015 (Vanderbilt)
Wiseman might start in Low-A Hagerstown, but his advanced all-around game should get him to Potomac soon. An accomplished collegiate player at Vanderbilt, Wiseman will look to cut down on strikeouts and turn his good bat speed into more power as he moves through the system.
Koda Glover, RHP, #19 MLB.com, #30 Baseball America
Fastball: 70 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45
Age — 22, 6–5, 225–8th Round Pick in 2015 (Oklahoma State)
Glover is an absolute bulldog who could reach the Majors in record time. He burst onto the draft scene after a dominant 2015 in the Oklahoma State bullpen. He posted a 38:2 strikeout-to-walk ratio after being drafted by Washington last summer. His fastball hits 98 mph and his slider is considered a plus pitch. Scouts love the aggressiveness and focus he brings to the mound, which could allow him to fly through the lower levels.
Raudy Read, C, #27 MLB.com, #23 Baseball America
Hit: 40 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Arm: 60 | Field: 40 | Overall: 45
Age — 22, 6–0, 170 — Signed in 2011 (Dominican Republic)
Read was pushed to full-season ball last season and should spend most of 2016 in Potomac. He exhibits a very advanced approach at the plate and commands the strike zone with ease. Scouts believe he will reach his power potential and are impressed with his arm, but concerns about his blocking and game management remain.
Phillips Valdez, RHP, NR on MLB.com, #26 Baseball America
Age — 24, 6–2, 160 — Signed as free agent in 2012 (Dominican Republic)
A model of perseverance, Valdez survived getting cut by two other organizations to crack Baseball America’s Top-30 list at age 24. It’s unclear whether he’ll be a starter or reliever in 2016, but his potential is undeniable. His three-quarters arm slot makes it tough for hitters to square up his mid-90s fastball and his slider is advanced enough to allow him to flourish in A-ball.
Season Outlook:
The 2016 Potomac Nationals will be defined by their speed and pitching. Don’t expect loads of power from their lineup, but they’ll likely mess around with small ball and put pressure on the opponent. The system’s pitching is stacked, so expect more low-scoring, competitive contests when the P-Nats are on the other side of the diamond.
