The Nationals introduced that they’ve signed Seaver King, who they chose with the tenth general decide on this yr’s draft. Jim Callis of MLB.com relays on X that the signing bonus is $5.15MM, a bit beneath the $5.95MM slot worth for his decide.
King, 21, received into 60 video games for Wake Forest this yr, lining up on the three infield positions to the left of first base in addition to heart discipline. He hit 16 house runs in that point and slashed .308/.377/.577. He additionally stole 11 bases in 12 tries.
Primarily based on his capacity to contribute in a number of methods, he was one of many prime ranked gamers coming into the draft. Every of Baseball America, MLB Pipeline and Keith Regulation of The Athletic ranked him seventeenth. ESPN put him barely larger at sixteenth whereas FanGraphs was essentially the most bullish by placing him eleventh.
The retailers typically commend him for doing harm and placing up spectacular exit velocities, although with some concern for his lack of self-discipline and propensity for chasing dangerous pitches, which results in some weaker contact and few walks. Defensively, he’s thought of a bit uncooked at his a number of positions however is predicted to be carried by his athleticism within the quick time period and change into extra polished in time. FanGraphs sees a ceiling of an on a regular basis shortstop however admits a multi-positional function might be extra probably.
The Nationals are at an fascinating time of their rebuild, as they flirted with competition this yr however have lately pivoted to promoting, with Hunter Harvey flipped to the Royals. However they’re beginning to type a nucleus of controllable gamers on the massive league stage, with CJ Abrams, MacKenzie Gore, James Wooden and others up on the massive league stage.
Nonetheless down within the minors are notable prospects reminiscent of Dylan Crews, Brady Home and extra. King will be part of Crews and Home within the minors, along with his future defensive house and his function with the large league membership nonetheless to be decided.
