BA GRADE
60
Risk: V. High
HIT: 60.
POW: 60.
SPD: 50.
FLD: 55.
ARM: 50.
Born: Oct. 25, 1998. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 185. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2015. Signed by: Modesto Ulloa.
Soto signed for $1.5 million in 2015, won the MVP award in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2016 and advanced to low Class A Hagerstown in 2017. He was limited to just 32 games, however, after fracturing his ankle, breaking a hamate bone and dealing with a hamstring injury late in the year.
Soto impressed evaluators with his advanced feel at the plate. He made adjustments within at-bats and displayed impressive hand-eye coordination that should allow him to be an above-average hitter. While he’s still growing into it, Soto should have above-average power, and he has a chance to hit 20-plus homers a year thanks to strong hands and a simple swing. He is just an average runner, and profiles as a corner outfielder because of that, which limits his ceiling and will put additional pressure on his bat—his best tool. He currently has fringe-average arm strength that is better suited to left field than right, but he uses his legs efficiently on throws and is young enough to safely project an average arm as he continues to mature.
Soto is ready for high Class A Potomac in 2018, but given his injury-shortened 2017 season, Washington could opt to be conservative and start him in Hagerstown.
Year |
Club (League) |
Class |
AVG |
G |
AB |
R |
H |
2016 |
Nationals (GCL) |
R |
.361 |
45 |
169 |
25 |
61 |
|
Auburn (NYP) |
SS |
.429 |
6 |
21 |
3 |
9 |
2017 |
Hagerstown (SAL) |
LoA |
.360 |
23 |
86 |
15 |
31 |
|
Nationals (GCL) |
R |
.320 |
9 |
25 |
3 |
8 |
Minor League Totals |
.362 |
83 |
301 |
46 |
109 |
||
Year |
Club (League) |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
BB |
2016 |
Nationals (GCL) |
11 |
3 |
5 |
31 |
14 |
|
Auburn (NYP) |
3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
2017 |
Hagerstown (SAL) |
5 |
0 |
3 |
13 |
10 |
|
Nationals (GCL) |
1 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
Minor League Totals |
20 |
4 |
8 |
49 |
29 |
|
Year |
Club (League) |
SO |
SB |
CS |
OBP |
SLG |
2016 |
Nationals (GCL) |
25 |
5 |
2 |
.410 |
.550 |
|
Auburn (NYP) |
4 |
0 |
0 |
.500 |
.571 |
2017 |
Hagerstown (SAL) |
8 |
1 |
2 |
.427 |
.523 |
|
Nationals (GCL) |
1 |
0 |
0 |
.370 |
.440 |
Minor League Totals |
38 |
6 |
4 |
.418 |
.535 |
|