Nationals’ prospect Victor Robles ranked No. 2 outfield prospect by MLB Pipeline

In naming Victor Robles as one of the top three defensive outfielders in the minors this winter, MLB.com’s Jim Callis wrote that the Nationals’ 19-year-old prospect, “... may have the best all-around tools in the Minors, and his defensive ability is a big part of that. He has well above-average speed and the arm strength to match, and he already shows a lot of polish for a 19-year-old.”

Baseball America’s Teddy Cahill, who had Robles ranked No. 1 overall on BA’s list of Washington’s Top 10 prospects this winter, told MASN’s Byron Kerr that he too thought Robles was, “... one of the best defenders in the system,” and “probably one of the best defenders in the minor leagues.”

On the offensive end, Cahill said Robles is, “... a really dynamic player. He’s playing well above his age at this point. He goes out and he’s hit everywhere they’ve sent him.”

Robles put up a combined .280/.376/.423 line, 17 doubles, eight triples, nine home runs and 37 stolen bases in 110 games and 504 plate appearances split between the Low-A Hagerstown Suns and High-A Potomac Nationals (with five games played for the Gulf Coast Nationals).

He was the youngest player in the Carolina League when he was promoted according to Cahill and will be again as a 20-year-old this season, assuming he starts the 2017 campaign with the P-Nats.

This morning, the Nats’ prospect, who signed for $225,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2013, was ranked second overall on MLB Pipeline’s list of the Top 10 outfield prospects in baseball.

“If you were to create a short list of prospects you think would be the No. 1 prospect in baseball a year from now, Robles would likely top it,” MLBPipeline.com’s Jonathan Mayo wrote, echoing the sentiments expressed by Callis, who projected that Robles will be the top prospect in baseball for 2018.

“He is the prototypical five-tool player who will play up the middle,” Mayo added, “with double-plus speed and outstanding defense, for a very long time to come. And Robles doesn't turn 20 until May.”

Check out the rest of the list of the Top 10 outfield prospects: