Washington Nationals Minor Leagues: Chris Bostick To Play In Arizona Fall League
By Ricky Keeler
With Washington Nationals infielder Wilmer Difo not able to participate in the Arizona Fall League, the organization had one open spot to have a representative for the Salt River Rafters squad. Today, it was reported by Lacy Lusk of Baseball America that second baseman Chris Bostick will take Difo’s place on the roster after Difo broke his left hand in last Saturday’s win over the New York Mets:
Chris Bostick, who finished the season with the AA @HbgSenators, will take Wilmer Difo's roster spot in the @MLBazFallLeague. #Nationals
— Lacy Lusk (@LacyLuskBA) October 8, 2015
Bostick, who was a 44th round pick of the A’s in the 2011 MLB Draft, was acquired by the Nationals in a trade with the Rangers last December. The Nats acquired Bostick and right-handed reliever Abel De Los Santos in exchange for veteran right-handed pitcher Ross Detwiler. Currently, Bostick is the 23rd ranked prospect in the Nationals system, according to MLB Pipeline.
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The 22-year old right-hander hitter began his 2015 season playing for high-A Potomac. After 62 games with Potomac, Bostick was promoted to double-A Harrisburg, where he played the final 75 games of his season. Across the two affiliates, Bostick hit .258 with 12 home runs, 58 RBI’s, and had a .312 on-base percentage. The 12 home runs were one more than he had with the high-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans a season ago. The one factor in this decision that will help Bostick further his development is that Salt River manager Tripp Keister was his manager in Potomac this season.
In addition to his power, Bostick also showed some good speed on the bases. This season, he was 31-for-39 in stolen bases at both levels and his 16 stolen bases were fourth on the Harrisburg squad. Defensively, he made eight errors this year at second base, but he did play 20 games in left field as well (no errors).
Over the final 48 games of the season at Harrisburg, the second baseman drove in 29 runs and had a .426 slugging percentage (.356 in the first half of the season). His eight home runs were tied with Brian Goodwin for second on the Senators’ roster (Matt Skole led with 12).
Ironically, Bostick will be playing with De Los Santos on the Rafters roster along with pitchers Nick Lee and John Simms, catcher Spencer Kieboom, shortstop Trea Turner, and third baseman Drew Ward. Salt Lake begins the AFL season on Tuesday when they take on the Scottsdale Scorpions at 8:35 PM ET.
Next: District Daily: Rendon Reflects On Injury-Riddled 2015