Washington Nationals option Victor Robles to Triple-A Syracuse...

From the start this winter, the Washington Nationals said that top prospect Victor Robles would get a shot to compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster, but he would play every day somewhere once the season started.

“He’s going to play every day,” GM Mike Rizzo said in December.

“The decision we’re going to make there, is it going to be in the big league level or is it going to be in the minor league level. It’s never a bad idea to get more minor league at bats, that’s never a bad thing, but he forced his way on the playoff roster last year, and we’re going to give him every opportunity to force his way onto the big league roster, but he will play every day somewhere Opening Day. He’s got to get consistent everyday at bats, and he’s going to be a force for us in the very near future.”

Robles, 20, put up a combined .300/.382/.493 line with 37 doubles, eight triples, 10 home runs, and 27 stolen bases between High-A Potomac and Double-A Harrisburg in 2017, and hit in 6 of 24 major league at bats in September before he was named a part of the postseason roster for the NLDS.

Robles went 10 for 41 (.244/.389/.488) with a double, three home runs, 10 walks, and nine Ks in the Arizona Fall League, and was ranked one of the top prospects in baseball on all the lists released this winter.

In 21 Grapefruit League games this Spring, the outfielder went 9 for 48 (.188/.216/.313) with three doubles, a home run, one walk and 12 Ks before he was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse today.

Robles will take his first Triple-A at bats once the season gets underway. He’ll be back in the big leagues again at some point in the near future.