Nationals well-represented on Baseball America and Keith Law's Midseason prospect lists

Both Baseball America and ESPN.com's Keith Law released their updated midseason prospect rankings this week.

Washington's farmhands were well-represented on the lists, with five Nationals' prospects in BA's updated Top 100 and two on Law's updated Top 50 (with Trea Turner having graduated from prospect status since he's currently in the majors as Law explained in his introduction).

Lucas Giolito (No. 4) and Turner (No.5) were the highest-ranked on Baseball America's list.

Their scouting report on Giolito, the recently-turned 22-year-old right-hander, noted that his "stuff remains exceptional" though, "scouts worry about his command."

Giolito, of course, made two starts with the Nationals already this season, with mixed results, after going (5-3) with a 3.17 ERA, a 3.31 FIP, 34 walks (4.31 BB/9) and 72 Ks (9.13 K/9) in 71 IP at Double-A Harrisburg.

He's the second-highest ranked pitcher on BA's list, behind only St. Louis Cardinals' starter Alex Reyes.

Law, who has Giolito as the highest-ranked pitcher (No.2 overall) writes that he'd like to see more two-seam fastballs and changeups from the 2012 1st Round pick next time he's up, after he was "way too four-seamer heavy" in his two starts for the Nats.

Turner, Baseball America's brief report notes, is, "doing everything he can to earn a spot in D.C.," including his recent work in the outfield.

He's seen limited time in the majors, but at Triple-A, the 23-year-old infielder has a .302/.370/.471 line, 22 doubles, eight triples, six home runs and 25 steals in 27 attempts.

Up next on BA's list, at No. 13 overall, is 19-year-old outfielder Victor Robles, who put up a .305/.405/.459 line, nine doubles, six triples and five home runs in 64 games and 285 PAs at Low-A Hagerstown before he was bumped up to High-A Potomac, where he's 14 for 63 (.222/.315/.349) with two doubles and two home runs through 15 games.

"One of the most dynamic prospects in the game," according to Baseball America's scouts, Robles, "... has the potential to be a true five-tool player," in their opinion.

Law, who has Robles ranked 10th overall on his Top 50, say he's a "four-tool guy already," with the potential to be a future All-Star if he adds power to "... his speed, on-base skills and plus defense in center."

While Robles is the last Nats' prospect to crack Law's Top 50, Reynaldo Lopez moved up the list and landed at No. 48 on BA's Top 100, "... after posting four double-digit strikeouts games since May 29."

Lopez's strong start at Double-A Harrisburg (3.18 ERA, 3.14 FIP, 2.95 BB/9, 11.79 K/9 in 76 ⅓ IP) earned the 22-year-old right-hander a bump up to Triple-A Syracuse, where he's (1-0) in two starts with a 3.27 ERA, 5.50 FIP, six walks (4.91 BB/9) and nine Ks (7.36 K/9) in 11 IP.

Nationals' Top 10 prospects update

Photo © David Kohl/USA TODAY Sports

Will Lopez make it up to the majors at some point this season in the pen or in the rotation if a need arises?

The success Lopez and Giolito have had has allowed 23-year-old, 2014 1st Round pick Erick Fedde to develop slowly in his second season back following Tommy John surgery.

Through 13 games (12 starts) and 61 IP, the right-hander is (5-3) with a 4.13 ERA, a 3.83 FIP, 15 walks (2.21 BB/9) and 61 Ks (9.00 K/9) for the Potomac Nationals. He landed at No. 61 on BA's Top 100.