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Washington Nationals: District On Deck’s 2017 Top 10 Prospects List

By Ricky Keeler

Mar 19, 2015; Melbourne, FL, USA; A view of Space Coast Stadium during the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Washington Nationals. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2015; Melbourne, FL, USA; A view of Space Coast Stadium during the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Washington Nationals. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 24, 2014; Viera, FL, USA; Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo watches the spring training action at space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Juan Soto

At 18 years old, Soto is a name to keep an eye on in the Nats organization going forward. In his first year of professional baseball, Soto won the Gulf Coast League MVP due to a slash line of .361/.410/.550 with five home runs and 31 RBI’s. He did end up finishing the season at short-season Auburn (six games) and had nine hits (three doubles) in 21 at-bats.

When you look at Soto’s Gulf Coast League numbers more closely, he led the league in batting average, second in on-base percentage, and was tied for fifth in RBI’s (31) as he hit mainly out of the fifth or sixth spots in the batting order.

Right now, MLB Pipeline has Soto as their 12th ranked prospect in the Nats system, but they definitely had some good things to say about him:

"“Soto has a smooth and balanced left-handed swing which enables him to barrel the ball and make hard contact consistently. He has good strength to his frame and room to tack on even more strength, while his feel for hitting should help him utilize his impressive raw power in games.”"

On defense, Soto played 42 games in right field at the Gulf Coast League as well as the six games that he played with the Doubledays. It may be early in Soto’s development and he hasn’t reached the upper levels of the farm system yet. But, his great performance in rookie ball is definitely a good start to his professional career.

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