Washington Nationals: Victor Robles could be postseason X-factor

Victor Robles has played in just five major league games thus far, but the top prospect could earn a spot on the Washington Nationals’ playoff roster.

Much of the baseball world’s attention has been rightfully directed toward the Cleveland Indians of late, whose incredible 22-game win streak ended last night. Before their recent rough spell, the Los Angeles Dodgers looked similarly unbeatable. It’s been easy to forget that the Washington Nationals are also having a great season, and they could have an intriguing card to play in October.

According to Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post, rookie outfielder and top prospect Victor Robles is a candidate to make the Nationals’ postseason roster. Manager Dusty Baker said as much in talking to the media after Thursday night’s win over Atlanta, in which Robles went 2-for-4 with a triple, RBI and two runs scored.

Thursday was only Robles’ second start out of five appearances since making his major league debut on Sept. 7. He’s been used primarily as a late-inning pinch hitter thus far, but more performances like that could get him expanded playing time in the regular season’s final weeks and perhaps beyond. Overall, he has gone 3-for-9 in 10 plate appearances with a double, triple, two runs, two RBI and a hit-by-pitch.

Baker commended the maturity Robles has already demonstrated at the tender age of 20 years old, making him the youngest player currently in the majors. When asked whether the youngster had a shot at making the playoff squad, the veteran skipper answered in the affirmative.

"“If I didn’t think so I wouldn’t play him at all,” Baker said. “You know what I’m saying? But I don’t want to get carried away because I’ve seen September call-ups and then you can’t find them come next April. So … you want to bring him on slowly, but at [a] speed that you think he can handle emotionally and psychologically.”"

Robles began the year as one of the game’s top-rated minor leaguers, ranked at #7 overall by Baseball Prospectus, #8 by MLB.com and #13 by Baseball America in their pre-2017 lists. It’s been a season of rapid advancement for the outfielder, who began the campaign at High-A before heading to Double-A and then directly to the majors as a September call-up just over a week ago.

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Between both minor league levels, Robles slashed .300/.382/.493 with 10 home runs, 47 RBI and 27 stolen bases in 114 games. His numbers even improved after stepping up to Double-A Harrisburg, batting .324/.394/.489 over 37 contests. Robles hasn’t looked overmatched on the big league stage yet, despite bypassing Triple-A, but it’s obviously still very early.

With only 10 major league plate appearances under his belt, it’s too soon to say that Robles has the inside track on a postseason roster spot. But two more productive weeks could give the Nats a notable decision to make. As Castillo suggests, Washington’s mix of other backup outfielders isn’t particularly compelling: Alejandro De Aza, Andrew Stevenson and Rafael Bautista.

Despite his extreme youth and lack of MLB track record, Robles’ five-tool potential could make him valuable in a playoff series. Though he hasn’t attempted a stolen base yet in the majors, Robles has garnered rave reviews for his speed and swiped a total of 110 bags over four minor league campaigns.

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Robles could be an option for the Nationals call off the bench as a pinch runner or defensive replacement in a postseason scenario. Teams that succeed in October tend to have those kinds of players at their disposal.