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Washington Nationals: Jose Marmolejos off to fast start at Harrisburg

By Ricky Keeler |
Mar 13, 2017; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; A view of a Washington Nationals hat and sunglasses in the dugout during a spring training game between the Washington Nationals and the Detroit Tigers at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2017; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; A view of a Washington Nationals hat and sunglasses in the dugout during a spring training game between the Washington Nationals and the Detroit Tigers at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Since returning to Harrisburg, Washington Nationals first base prospect Jose Marmolejos has been off to a great start at Double-A

This offseason, the Washington Nationals made the decision to put first baseman/left fielder Jose Marmolejos on the 40-man roster to avoid him being taken in the rule V draft. His season didn’t start on time due to a strained left forearm, but he is making up for lost time at Double-A Harrisburg.

In the first 12 games of the season, the 24-year-old has a slash line of .420/.455/.680 with three home runs and 12 RBI’s. One of those home runs was a go-ahead grand slam in the top of the ninth inning against the Erie Seawolves on Monday night that won the game for the Senators, 14-13.

Since joining the Senators on May 12, Marmolejos has a hit in 11 of the 12 games he has played in and is currently on a ten game hitting streak. During this current streak, he has five multi-hit games, including a 5-for-6 night with five RBI’s in that game against Erie on Monday.

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Right now, Marmolejos is listed on being on a rehab assignment, but he did some playing time at Harrisburg last year. After being promoted from Potomac, he hit .299 with two home runs and 15 RBI’s in 33 games, so he isn’t a player known for his power.

While Marmolejos may not be the best power hitter in the organization, he knows how to pick up extra-base hits. In his time with Potomac last year, his 36 doubles were the most on the team and the fourth most of any hitter in the Carolina League.

Plus, when he makes contact, it’s usually a hard hit line drive. According to MLB Farm, Marmolejos has hit 13 line drives this season, which is slightly less than the amount of groundballs he’s hit against opposing pitchers (18).

Marmolejos isn’t one of the top prospects in the Washington Nationals organization, but he finds a way to make a good impression whenever he plays. In each of the last two seasons, he was named the Minor League Player of the Year by the organization.

If you look at MLB Pipeline’s list of the top 30 Washington Nationals prospects, Marmolejos is ranked 25th on their list, but is the top ranked in terms of first basemen. At Triple-A Syracuse, the Nats currently have Clint Robinson and Matt Skole as their first base options.

With first base being a logjam right now, it’s tough to see when Marmolejos would be promoted once the rehab assignment is over. However, if he continues to have success at Harrisburg, maybe he eventually forces the organization’s hand since he is already on the 40-man roster.

While Marmolejos isn’t up high on the Nats top prospects list, he is a name you should keep an eye on just because of his consistency.

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