Victor Robles

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #1 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: The only thing that could have halted Robles' rapid ascent to the major leagues was injury, and of course that's what set the top-ranked talent back in 2018. Robles hyper­extended his left elbow during a game with Triple-A Syracuse in early April and didn't return to the International League until July 27. He hit .269/.345/.386 in 36 games with Syracuse before earning a September callup to the big league club, where he looked right at home and hit .288/.348/.525.
  
  Scouting Report: While Robles overflows with above-average tools, what will make him a perennial all-star candidate is his hitting ability, which grades out as plus thanks to his quick hands and pitch recognition. He opened up his stance a bit in 2018 and can cut himself off at times because of that. Scouts raved about Robles' ability to hit to all fields, and he did that to a larger extent this season compared to 2017. Robles' plus-plus speed will allow him to hit for plenty of extra bases, and while he doesn't have plus raw power he should have enough to hit 15-20 home runs annually. Speed is Robles' loudest tool, and he ranked in the 95th percentile of major leaguers this season with a sprint speed of 29.3 feet per second, according to Statcast. That running ability has allowed him to rack up 129 stolen bases over five minor league seasons and should allow him to become a headache for major league batteries. His natural running ability, as well as the steps he's taken over the past few seasons to improve his jumps, routes and throwing accuracy, should allow him to become an elite defensive center fielder. His plus arm gives him the ability to handle right field without a problem, but there are few outfielders who could force him out of center.
  
  The Future: Robles should be a regular fixture in the Nationals' outfield in 2019, buttressing a formidable young core alongside Juan Soto. While Soto has a higher offensive ceiling, Robles has the ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball at a high level while hitting at the top of the lineup.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #1 prospect in 2018
  Robles continues to speed through the minors, while making adjustments at every level on both sides of the ball, which makes his $225,000 signing bonus in 2013 a huge bargain. He started 2017 at high Class A Potomac and excelled before earning a promotion to Double-A Harrisburg, where he was one of just four 20-year-olds in the Eastern League. Robles has been one of the most impressive players in every minor league in which he has played. He handled the advanced pitchers in the EL with aplomb by lowering his strikeout rate to 14 percent while continuing hit for a high average. Robles impressed the Nationals enough to earn his first big league callup in September and made the postseason roster as well. Robles' advanced understanding of the strike zone and ability to recognize pitches have helped his quick hands play in the batter's box. He is currently an average power hitter but with the strength and bat speed to project more power as he continues to develop physically. He was pitched backwards frequently in the Carolina League, which he countered by regularly using the entire field and showing the ability to drive the ball to the right-center field gap. Robles is fearless in the box and sets up very close to the plate. He led the Carolina league with 17 hit by pitches despite having just 338 plate appearances. He plays with great energy and aggression, which can hurt him at times, particularly on the bases where he needs to improve his decision-making and basestealing ability, though that might be the only part of his game to nitpick. Robles improved the most in 2017 in the outfield, where he has improved his jumps and routes. He also made strides with his throwing accuracy. He's always had the tools to develop into a premier defensive center fielder, with well above-average speed and a plus arm, and he's now taking the steps to become more efficient. With current plus tools in every category except power--where he has a chance to become above-average--Robles has the chance to become a perennial all-star. While he may require a bit more minor league seasoning in 2018, he could quickly become an outfield fixture in Washington.
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #1 prospect in 2017
  Robles had impressed Nationals evaluators for years before breaking out in 2015 during his U.S. debut. He signed with Washington for $225,000 in 2013 and impressed in the Dominican Summer League the following year. He wowed the Nationals during extended spring training in 2015, then carried that performance over to the regular season in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and short-season Auburn. He ranked as the No. 2 prospect in both leagues while hitting a combined .352/.445/.507 with 24 stolen bases in 61 games. Robles advanced to full-season ball in 2016 for the first time, beginning the season at low Class A Hagerstown. After earning a spot in the South Atlantic League all-star game, he was promoted to high Class A Potomac, where the 19-year-old was the youngest player in the Carolina League. He again ranked as a top prospect in two leagues--No. 1 in the South Atlantic and No. 3 in the Carolina. Robles was sidelined for about three weeks in the second half of the season by a thumb injury he suffered after being hit in the hand by a fastball, one of 34 times he was hit by a pitch in 2016. Even as he has raced through the minor leagues, Robles has continued to hit and earn praise for his baseball IQ and willingness to learn. Robles has excellent quick-twitch athleticism and true five-tool potential. He is advanced for his age, displaying a good feel for hitting. He has strong, quick hands that help him to produce impressive bat speed. Presently, his power results mostly in hard line drives to the gaps, but as he physically matures, those balls should start going over the fence. He sometimes gets big in his swing as he tries to drive the ball with more authority. He has a good feel for the barrel and is difficult to strike out, though he does not often walk. He sets up very close to the plate, which allows him to cover the outer half of the plate well, but also results in him often being hit by pitches. He is confident in his ability to turn on inside pitches, but after his stint on the disabled list he is also starting to learn about the importance of getting out of the way of inside pitches. Robles is a plus runner and makes good use of his speed on both the basepaths and in the outfield. He tracks down balls well in center field and has plus arm strength. His defensive ability and speed enable him to impact the game in many different ways. He plays with lots of energy in all facets of the game, a trait that endears him to teammates, coaches and scouts alike. Robles has proven to be capable of moving quickly in the minors and will likely return to Potomac to open 2017. Because he won't turn 20 until May, he will likely again be among the youngest players in the Carolina League. It will be a challenging assignment for the precocious outfielder, but his makeup and dynamic skill set should help him continue to find success against older competition. He has all-star potential and could arrive in Washington late in the 2018 season and be a regular player at age 22 in 2019.
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #3 prospect in 2016
  Robles made his U.S. debut in 2015 and was the breakout prospect of the year for the Nationals. He signed with Washington for $225,000 in 2013 and impressed the organization in the Dominican Summer League in 2014. He wowed the Nationals' staff again during extended spring training in 2015, and that performance carried over to the regular season in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and then at short-season Auburn, where the 18-year-old was the youngest regular in the New York-Penn League. Robles is an excellent athlete with true five-tool potential. He is advanced for his age, displaying a good feel for hitting and quick hands that allow him to produce impressive bat speed. Presently, his power mostly results in hard line drives to the gaps, but as he physically matures, those balls should start going over the fence. He has well above-average speed that he makes good use of both on the basepaths and in the outfield. He tracks down balls well in center field and has plus arm strength. Robles earns praise for his energy, high baseball IQ and eagerness to learn, all of which have helped him quickly adjust to the professional game. He is still understandably raw in some parts of his game, but he has the look of a fast mover. He'll get his first taste of full-season ball at low Class A Hagerstown in 2016.
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #25 prospect in 2015
  The Nationals signed Robles for $225,000 in 2013, and he hit for average and showed basestealing ability in an impressive Dominican Summer League debut. A live-bodied, quick-twitch athlete with a high baseball IQ, Robles plays with energy and is learning to play under control. His raw tools are tantalizing, as he is a plus-plus runner with plus-plus arm strength and good instincts in center field. His pitch recognition and approach are advanced for his age. He has experimented with switch-hitting in the past, but for now he's a righthanded hitter with good bat speed. Robles could grow into some pop has he matures, but he has a tendency to overswing at times. Robles is very young and needs plenty of refinement, but his upside is significant. He figures to advance to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2015.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked International League #8 prospect in 2018
  A hyperextended left elbow kept Robles out for three months and prevented some of his development this year, but he showed his usual flashes of big tools when he returned in July. Robles started slowly, but he batted .368/.413/.544 in his final 16 games before being called up to Washington on Sept. 4. Robles’ speed and defense remained elite, which meant he had the speed to be a difference-maker even if his timing was off. Robles needs more time in the batter’s box against top-level pitchers in order to return to the level that the Nationals will want him. He also needs more reps to help erase occasional lapses on defense and on the bases, where he is still prone to being reckless at times.
• 
  Ranked Carolina League #2 prospect in 2017
  After rocketing to high Class A in his first full season, Robles returned to the Carolina League to begin 2017. The Nationals simply wanted him to mature. Robles shows tools that will eventually translate into skills--just needed to be refined. He will make mistakes, but those around him say he works hard to take the lessons to heart. Tools-wise, Robles has a bounty. Most notable is his plus-plus speed, which he puts to work to change games on the bases and in the outfield. An outstanding center fielder, he is also capable in right field thanks to his above-average arm. At the plate, Robles is best served slapping the ball around the diamond and using his speed to burn up the basepaths. Some evaluators see the topspin he produces and predict plenty of power as he matures.
• 
  Ranked Eastern League #2 prospect in 2017
  After wowing scouts and managers in his full-season debut last year, Robles began the year back at high Class A Potomac before zooming to the EL in the second half and a surprise big league callup in September. Scouts agree on Robles' defensive impact potential, but at the plate they are a split camp. Some see a future leadoff-type hitter with the ability to spray the ball from gap to gap and use his plus-plus speed to take extra bases. Others see Robles, because of his already strong hands and forearms, as a player who will develop enough power to hit in the middle of the order. He still needs to refine his instincts on the basepaths and perhaps adjust his approach to keep him from getting hit by so many pitches, but he has all-star potential. Robles is sure-fire center fielder with range in all directions and a well above-average throwing arm that will play in an outfield corner, if necessary.
• 
  Ranked Carolina League #3 prospect in 2016
  As seamless as the transition to high Class A was for Yoan Moncada and Andrew Benintendi, it was a little more of a challenge for the 19-year-old Robles. He still amazed with his defensive skills, and eventually his bat came along. "He has such an exciting package of tools, but he had some adversity in this league, and he'll get better because of that," Potomac manager Tripp Keister said. "His arm is really good. You can give it a 7 (on a 2-to-8 scouting scale). He's a potential five-tool type of player. He can really throw, and he can really run." Robles missed time after getting hit by a fastball from Salem fireballer Michael Kopech, but he lifted his batting average by 48 points in the final two weeks. He also became more of the captain of the outfield as the summer wore on, opposing managers noticed.
• 
  Ranked South Atlantic League #1 prospect in 2016
  Robles hit .352 in his U.S. debut in 2015 and continued his hot hitting this season at Hagerstown to rank as the near unanimous pick as the top position prospect in the SAL. Robles' stance is balanced, but he crowds the plate, giving him coverage of the outer half and daring pitchers to throw inside. They do and he often ends up jogging to first base with a bruise. Only one minor league player was hit by more pitches than Robles (34), and he had more HBPs than walks. He missed three weeks in late July with a hand injury after one of his plunkings. Robles uses his above-average bat speed to good effect, though he can get a little big in his swing and greedy in his attempts to drive the ball with impact. His combination of bat speed and strength gives him a shot at above-average power potential with a plus hit tool. Robles is a 70 runner on the 20-80 scouting scale and puts that speed to good use in center field, where he tracks balls well and is the rare young outfielder who is comfortable running to a spot and reacquiring the ball on the run.
• 
  Ranked New York-Penn League #2 prospect in 2015
  Robles was young for a league heavy on college draftees, but the 18-year-old all but forced the Nationals' hand after tearing up the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League by hitting .360 in 23 games. Following a July 19 promotion to Auburn, Robles didn't slow down in the slightest. Signed for $225,000 in 2013, he has shown five-tool potential, including double-plus speed and arm strength that serve him well in center field. "We've just been impressed with his ability to square up the ball--you can't get a fastball by him," said one NYP manager, before adding: "He is kind of aggressive when it comes to the fastball. If you throw the rosin bag hard, he's probably going to swing at it."" That aggressiveness also manifests on the basepaths, where Robles can sometimes push the envelope a little too far. Power could be the last tool to develop as he continues to grow and pack on strength. As of now, his swing is more line-drive oriented, but he has shown the ability to hit the ball over the fence, particularly to his pull side. His quick bat speed and advanced two-strike approach have thus far played at every level.
• 
  Ranked Florida Complex League #2 prospect in 2015
  Robles' $225,000 bonus was the second-highest of the Nationals' 2013 international signing class and already looks like a bargain. He didn't last long in the GCL during his U.S. debut, quickly earning a promotion to short-season Auburn, where he continued to excel at the plate and in the field. Robles is a dynamic, high-energy player with quick-twitch actions, outstanding tools and a baseball IQ beyond his years. He's already an excellent defender in center field, where he takes advantage of his double-plus speed by getting good reads off the bat with excellent range into both gaps and a knack for diving grabs. His arm grades as another double-plus tool. With a short, fluid swing, Robles makes contact at a high rate. He has quick, explosive hands, stays inside the ball and uses his lower half well. He stays balanced and sees the ball well, controlling the strike zone with good pitch recognition for his age, which should make him a threat to hit for a high average with strong on-base skills. Robles has a line-drive approach with mostly gap power now, but with his bat speed, strength projection and the extension he generates through the ball, he has a chance to grow into at least average power.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #11 prospect in 2019
• Ranked Baseball America's #5 prospect in 2018
• Ranked Baseball America's #13 prospect in 2017
• Ranked Baseball America's #33 prospect in 2016

• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  Robles has played in just four games this season after suffering a hyperextended left elbow while attempting to make a diving catch on April 9. He returned on a rehab assignment just before the all-star break. Had he remained healthy, Robles’ five-tool ability would have most likely earned him the big league shot that went to Juan Soto instead.  
• December, 2017 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Robles continues to speed through the minors, while making adjustments at every level on both sides of the ball, which makes his $225,000 signing bonus in 2013 a huge bargain. He started 2017 with high Class A Potomac and excelled before earning a promotion to Double-A Harrisburg, where he was one of just four 20-year-olds in the Eastern League. Robles has been one of the most impressive players in every minor league in which he has played. He handled the advanced pitchers in the EL with aplomb by lowering his strikeout rate to 14 percent while continuing to walk at fair clip and hit for a high average. Robles impressed the Nationals enough to earn his first big league callup in September and made the postseason roster as well. Scouting Report: Robles' advanced understanding of the strike zone and ability to recognize pitches have helped his quick hands play in the batter's box. He is currently an average power hitter but with the strength and bat speed to project more power as he continues to develop physically. He was pitched backwards frequently in the Carolina League, which he countered by regularly using the entire field and showing the ability to drive the ball to the right-center field gap. Robles is fearless in the box and sets up very close to the plate. He led the Carolina league with 17 hit by pitches despite having just 338 plate appearances. He plays with great energy and aggression, which can hurt him at times, particularly on the bases where he needs to improve his decision-making and basestealing ability, though that might be the only part of his game to nitpick. Robles improved the most in 2017 in the outfield, where he has improved his jumps and routes. He also made strides with his throwing accuracy. He's always had the tools to develop into a premier defensive center fielder, with well above-average speed and a plus arm, and he's now taking the steps to become more efficient. The Future: With current plus tools in every category except power--where he has a chance to become above-average--Robles has the chance to become a perennial all-star. While he may require a bit more minor league seasoning in 2018, he could quickly become an outfield fixture in Washington.
• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: Robles had impressed Nationals evaluators for years before breaking out in 2015 during his U.S. debut. He signed with Washington for $225,000 in 2013 and impressed in the Dominican Summer League the following year. He wowed the Nationals' staff during extended spring training in 2015, and carried that performance over to the regular season in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and short-season Auburn. He ranked as the No. 2 prospect in both leagues while hitting a combined .352/.445/.507 with 24 stolen bases in 61 games. Robles advanced to full-season ball in 2016 for the first time, beginning the season with low Class A Hagerstown. After earning a spot in the South Atlantic League all-star game, he was promoted to high Class A Potomac, where the 19-year-old was the youngest player in the Carolina League. He again ranked as a top prospect in two leagues--No. 1 in the South Atlantic and No. 3 in the Carolina. Robles was sidelined for about three weeks in the second half of the season by a thumb injury he suffered after being hit in the hand by a fastball, one of 34 times he was hit by a pitch in 2016. Even as he has raced through the minor leagues, Robles has continued to hit and earn praise for his energy, baseball IQ and willingness to learn. Scouting Report: Robles is an excellent athlete with true five-tool potential. He is advanced for his age, displaying a good feel for hitting. He has strong, quick hands that help him to produce impressive bat speed. Presently, his power results mostly in hard line drives to the gaps, but as he physically matures, those balls should start going over the fence. He has a good feel for the barrel and is difficult to strike out, though he does not often walk. He sets up very close to the plate, which results in him often being hit by pitches. He is confident in his ability to turn on inside pitches, but after his stint on the disabled list he is also starting to learn about the importance of getting out of the way of inside pitches. Robles is a plus runner and makes good use of his speed on both the basepaths and in the outfield. He tracks down balls well in center field and has plus arm strength. His defensive ability and speed enables him to impact the game in many different ways. The Future: Robles has proven to be capable of moving quickly in the minors, and will likely return to Potomac to open 2017. Because he won't turn 20 until May, he will likely again be among the youngest players in the league. It will be a challenging assignment for the precocious outfielder, but his makeup and dynamic skill set should help him continue to find success against older competition. He has all-star potential and could arrive in Washington late in the 2018 season.