10. Raudy Read, C
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 10/29/1993 (24)
2017 teams/levels played for: AA Harrisburg Senators, MLB Washington Nationals
2017 Stats: Minors: .265/.312/.455, 442 PA, 17 HR, 2 SB, 27/79 BB/K; Majors: .273/.273/.273, 11 PA
Info: Read has received consistent praise for his work ethic and been a guy the Nationals have been fairly protective of in any trade deals since signing him in 2011 out of the Dominican Republic. In 2017, some of those excellent progressions in tools and skills really jumped forward, and Read ended the season with a trip to the bigs in September.
(Read) has a rare blend of short swing and above-average power
Read has filled out into his frame, listed at 6′ and 170 pounds, but likely more like 200 pounds, but he maintains good athleticism and footwork behind the plate, and he has a fringe-plus arm as well. His defensive profile has always been about his ability to control the running game, but he’s made significant strides the last two seasons in his ability to keep his body in front of pitches.
Offensively, he has a rare blend of short swing and above-average power that should allow him to be able to hit for a decent average, though with his lack of speed, he doesn’t get any additional hits from beating anything out and very feasibly loses hits due to speed as much as anything.
However, Read’s ability to hit for power and play quality defense is something that is not a common occurrence, and it could mean the Nationals stick with Read behind the plate in 2019. He’ll likely play 2018 in AAA, but could find his way to the big league club if there are struggles behind the plate in DC.
9. Yasel Antuna, SS/3B
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 10/26/1999 (18)
2017 teams/levels played for: Gulf Coast League Nationals
2017 Stats: .301/.382/.399, 199 PA, 1 HR, 5 SB, 23/29 BB/K
Info: The Washington Nationals broke their organizational record for an international amateur when they signed Antuna to a $3.85 million bonus in July of 2016. He had the reputation for making quality, mature contact from both sides of the plate along with a glove to stay on the left side.
Antuna’s swing could certainly use some loft as he does have a very level, line-drive swing, but when he connects, he impacts the ball, so adding some angle to his swing could certainly generate some power. Antuna seems stronger from the left side, but doesn’t have notable difference in impact off the bat from either side, so his better power results from the left side very well could have something to do with seeing the ball better from that side.
The Nationals like Antuna’s physical projection, feeling he’s a likely move to third base long-term with an above-average arm and good quick reactions, but rough footwork for shortstop range and struggles throwing moving laterally.
Most likely, Antuna will open 2018 in full-season ball, but whether he spends some time in extended spring before heading there will be determined likely by whether the Nationals want him to move to third base and get some more reps at the position in complex before heading out to Hagerstown.
Next: #7 and #8