Nationals’ future bright with Robles
Multitalented outfielder represents way forward if Washington loses Harper
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Back in 2005, Ryan Zimmerman was the firstever draft pick of the newly minted Washington Nationals, an All-American from neighboring Virginia expected to steer the franchise through the early years after its move from Montreal.
While his arrival was highly anticipated, he never engendered the kind of hype that now surrounds Victor Robles.
Robles, a multitalented outfielder from the Dominican Republic who made his major league debut at 20 late last season, has inspired a different kind of fanfare, that reserved for a player so dynamic that the possibilities seem limitless, the proverbial prospect you can dream on.
He also represents something else: Perhaps the most important piece of a Nationals future should they part ways with Bryce Harper.
To this point, Robles has made just 47 plate appearances in the majors and none at Class AAA. On Tuesday he was optioned to Class AAA Syracuse (N.Y.).
Zimmerman, who broke into the big leagues in September 2005 and is now the team’s All-Star first baseman, wishes young players weren’t exposed to such scrutiny. He also understands what the fuss is all about.
“The whole five-tool thing everyone talks about, he’s got a really good chance to be one of those guys,” Zimmerman said. “When he came up, his plate discipline and strike-zone judgment for such a young guy was impressive. I feel like he’s ahead of where a lot of guys are at that age, especially at this level.”
Those words are heaven-sent for Nationals fans, who have endured painful first-round exits from the playoffs in four of the past six years and now are bracing for Harper’s possible departure after the season as part of an epic free agent class.
Second baseman Daniel Murphy, lefty starter Gio Gonzalez and catcher Matt Wieters can become free agents as well, but Harper is obviously the crown jewel.
Should he move on, Robles’ emergence could serve as a consolation prize of sorts. It’s not a notion the Nationals want to entertain with the start of the season a little over a week away, but they haven’t won four National League East titles since 2012 by getting caught unprepared.
“No one’s going to fill Bryce Harper’s shoes, but this is a good young player for us and we have a lot of good young players,” general manager Mike Rizzo said.
At 6 feet and 190 pounds, Robles doesn’t evoke comparisons to the power-hitting Harper, who’s 3 inches taller and 30 pounds heavier. In 496 plate appearances at Class A and AA last year, Robles hit 10 home runs while fashion- ing a .875 on-base plus slugging percentage.
He has the profile of a natural center fielder, and his blazing speed and defensive ability prompted the Nationals to include him in last year’s postseason roster as a possible late-game fill-in, having ascertained during his 13-game cup of coffee with the big club that Robles wouldn’t be awe-struck.
After getting stronger through offseason training, he brings to mind a young Andrew McCutchen. That’s a comparison he’s happy to draw, since McCutchen and current Pittsburgh Pirates player Starling Marte are two of Robles’ favorite players.
On the final series of the season, as the youngest player in the big leagues, he realized a dream by opposing them.
“A few years back I would look at guys like (Harper), Jose Reyes and Andrew McCutchen and wonder what it would be like to play on the same field with them,” Robles said in Spanish. “In 2017 I was able to play against them and on the same team with Bryce Harper. It made me very proud.”
The Nationals, again favored to claim the East title, have a full complement of starting outfielders with the recent return from injuries of left fielder Adam Eaton and center fielder Michael A. Taylor.
Robles will get regular at-bats in the minors, but the spring training exposure allowed the club to better gauge his abilities. He cooled off after a hot start at the plate and batted .188 in 48 at-bats, but the reviews have been positive.
Robles made some eye-popping catches and displayed a strong arm. Manager Davey Martinez likes that even when he was not playing, Robles tried to learn by keeping close tabs on the game from the dugout. Teammates noticed his respectful demeanor.
“If things are not going well for me, I try to be the same teammate, because that’s when your teammates really appreciate you,” he said. “Whether I’m doing well or not, I try to greet people with a smile and enjoy the game and enjoy life.”
A high contact rate — one strikeout every 6.2 plate appearances the past two minor league seasons — and an evolved eye at the plate have been major reasons Robles’ stock has risen so quickly. He also wants to improve his ability to read pitchers’ moves and get jumps when stealing to take better advantage of his speed.
Rizzo relishes the prospect of Robles and shortstop Trea Turner driving opposing defenders batty with their disruptive speed on the basepaths, giving the Nationals an offensive dimension few teams have.
If perhaps not enough to make up for the possibility of losing the 2015 NL MVP in free agency, Robles’ presence might at least help fans deal with their fretting over the next several months.
“He’s an exciting player and he’s anticipated,” Rizzo said. “It has no bearing on our decision-making process, but it’s good people know of him and speak so highly of him.”