Washington Nationals: The Elijah Green Experience Is In Full Effect

Strikeouts? Check. Insane athleticism and talent? Check. Through his first seven minor league games, the Elijah Green experience has been as advertised.

Once projected to go first overall in this year’s draft, Elijah Green slipped due to swing and miss concerns. Waiting in the wings were the Washington Nationals, who happily scooped him up at fifth overall.

His hit tool is his biggest concern, but Green has insane raw power — projecting to 40+ home run potential. He has elite speed, making him a threat on the basepaths while allowing him to cover centerfield with ease.

Only 18, Washington is in no need to rush the potential superstar and decided to start him in the Rookie League. Through his first seven games, he’s slashing .333/.414/.500, with a .914 OPS, three walks, and a whopping 12 strikeouts.

His first professional game went about as expected — striking out three times while launching a massive moonshot.

He followed this up by going 1-4, with a strikeout in his next game. After going 0-3 with three strikeouts in his third game, he bounced back in a major way, going 2-3, with a walk and a strikeout — demonstrating his mental toughness.

Through his first seven games, he’s slashing .333/.414/.500, with a .914 OPS, three walks, and a whopping 12 strikeouts. In the doubleheader against the FCL Cardinals, Green picked up where he left off — going 2-4, with an RBI in Game One — and for the first time in his minor league career, he didn’t strike out. In Game Two, Green was able to showcase his skillset, going 1-2, with a double, two walks, a strikeout, and a stolen base.

Hot streaks in baseball are hard to maintain and don’t last forever. Green took a step back in his most recent game today, going 1-4, with an RBI, and three strikeouts.

Obviously, his 41% strikeout rate (12Ks in 27 plate appearances) is some cause of concern, but something to keep an eye on is his insane .583 BABIP (batting average on balls in play). While that is bound to decrease, it is very encouraging to see how much success he finds when putting the ball in play.