Washington Nationals: Victor Robles makes life after Bryce Harper easier
Washington Nationals prospect Victor Robles has many talents and should help fans move on from Bryce Harper.
When the relationship between the Washington Nationals and Bryce Harper inevitably ends next winter, they will look for a viable replacement. Thankfully, one of MLB’s best prospects should make life after Harper a whole lot easier. Victor Robles looks like a potential five-tool star. Though not nearly as hyped as Harper, he’s a perfectly capable rebound.
There’s no guarantee Harper will leave the Nationals. However, it’s tough to imagine them being able to afford him while also continuing to pay Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg. Others are due raises as well. Maybe this makes the breakup a lot easier. Knowing they have Robles ready for everyday action, the Nationals can easily wish Harper the best in his future endeavors and hope Robles is just as great.
Could Victor Robles become better than Bryce Harper?
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It’s far too early to know exactly what Victor Robles will bring to the table as a starter in MLB. In some areas though, he’s superior to Bryce Harper.
Robles is a better fielder than Harper and should use his legs more frequently on the base paths to rack up stolen bases. Harper’s stolen bases numbers have dropped in recent years. Robles seems like a guy who will always possess quick feet in the early stages of his career. Let’s not forget, the guy is only 20-years-old. New York Yankees star outfielder and 2017 Rookie of the Year Aaron Judge turns 26 in April.
The sky’s the limit for Robles. Perhaps instead of asking if he’ll become better than Harper, we should instead ask who the better fit would be with the rest of the roster accounted for.
Clearly, the Nationals will run into a power outage when Harper departs. Expecting Ryan Zimmerman to hit 30 bombs is outrageous. Anthony Rendon may be able to, but he looks more likely to hit about 25-30 on the high end each year.
The match between the Nationals and Robles doesn’t look so good when we consider they already have Trea Turner and Adam Eaton on the roster. Those two are top-of-the-order guys. For Robles to truly stand out, he’ll need to add to his home run hitting abilities. Otherwise, the Nationals may need to rely too heavily on the few power hitters they have for the big base hits.
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Still, even if Robles never does become a regular home run hitter in MLB, he has some amazing talents. Whether he bats at the top of the order, in the middle, or at the bottom there’s something special about this kid. The hype alone should help the Washington Nationals survive some time without Harper.