Who Should The Pittsburgh Pirates Target In A Potential Trade With The Nationals?

Outfield prospect Victor Robles

Okay, so, I realize people are sick and tired of hearing about prospects. In the eyes of many trading for prospects is a sign of a team punting on the upcoming or current season and only playing for the future. However, that is not always the case. A team can add prospects while playing both for now and the future.

If I am Neal Huntington, any trade talks with the Nationals start and end with Victor Robles. The 19-year old Robles split his 2016 season between the Nationals’ Low-A and High-A Minor League affiliates. And Robles put up strong numbers at both levels.

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Victor Robles, who is one of the ten best prospects in all of baseball, hot .305 with a .398 wOBA, 153 wRC+, and 19 stolen bases at Low-A. At High-A his numbers dipped some but were still strong, as he posted a .346 wOBA, a 110 wRC+, and 18 stolen bases.

There are few, if any, prospects with as many raw tools as Victor Robles. He is an outstanding athlete with a plus arm in the outfield. He is an extremely patient hitter who is not afraid to draw a walk, he hits for average, and his power will come. Robles is a future star at center field.

Not only is Robles one of the top prospects in Washington’s farm system, he is one of the ten best prospects in all of baseball. When trading a bonafide superstar like Andrew McCutchen, this is the type of prospect you expect to get in return. If the Nationals are not willing to part with Robles, I would not be willing to trade them McCutchen.