Washington Nationals: Expect Growing Pains as Robles Develops

Washington Nationals fans have already experienced the highs and lows of outfielder Victor Robles’ game.  However, the lows are to be expected.

Fans of the Washington Nationals have been spoiled in recent years, as young players such as Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and last year’s teen sensation Juan Soto have played beyond their years in the Major League debuts.

This year the spotlight is on 21-year-old outfielder Victor Robles, and the five took prospect has shown flashes of brilliance in the first nine games of the 2019 campaign.

Robles has displayed extra-base pop at the plate, including hitting two home runs against Mets’ hard-throwing righty Noah Syndergaard.   His speed was on display last weekend at Citi Field, as he scored all the way from second base on a passed ball.  He’s also shown the ability to range far to down balls in the outfield.

There have been some hiccups along the way.  Robles has had several notable baserunning blunders, he’s struck out eight times in 23 at-bats, and has had a few misreads on defense on balls hit to him that have led to runs for opponents.

Most experts have Robles near the top of the list of baseball’s best prospects.  However, unlike some of his peers who are playing for teams that are not yet contenders, the Dominican native is learning the ropes while playing for a Nationals team that is expected to be in the thick of things in the playoff chase in the highly competitive National League.

Is Robles ready to be this year’s rookie sensation for the Nats?  At least one veteran player thinks so.

In a Spring Training interview with the Associated Press’ Howard Fendrich, Ryan Zimmerman commented that “(Robles) works hard, does everything he should.  Obviously, the talent is there. It’s just a matter of putting him out there and making sure he can handle it, which I don’t think he’ll have a problem with.”

The Nationals are unbelievably lucky that Victor Robles is in their organization.  Robles is equally lucky that the Nationals have enough talent around him that he can make mistakes without costing his team wins.  That combination will prove invaluable in the years to come as Robles develops into a star.