The Nationals introduced that they’ve signed Seaver King, who they chose with the tenth general choose on this 12 months’s draft. Jim Callis of MLB.com relays on X that the signing bonus is $5.15MM, a bit under the $5.95MM slot worth for his choose.
King, 21, acquired into 60 video games for Wake Forest this 12 months, lining up on the three infield positions to the left of first base in addition to heart subject. He hit 16 residence runs in that point and slashed .308/.377/.577. He additionally stole 11 bases in 12 tries.
Based mostly on his capability to contribute in a number of methods, he was one of many high ranked gamers coming into the draft. Every of Baseball America, MLB Pipeline and Keith Legislation of The Athletic ranked him seventeenth. ESPN put him barely greater at sixteenth whereas FanGraphs was essentially the most bullish by placing him eleventh.
The retailers usually 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 ends up 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 brief time period and develop into extra polished in time. FanGraphs sees a ceiling of an on a regular basis shortstop however admits a multi-positional position might be extra seemingly.
The Nationals are at an attention-grabbing time of their rebuild, as they flirted with rivalry this 12 months however have not too long ago pivoted to promoting, with Hunter Harvey flipped to the Royals. However they’re beginning to kind a nucleus of controllable gamers on the huge league stage, with CJ Abrams, MacKenzie Gore, James Wooden and others up on the huge league stage.
Nonetheless down within the minors are notable prospects resembling Dylan Crews, Brady Home and extra. King will be part of Crews and Home within the minors, along with his future defensive residence and his position with the massive league membership nonetheless to be decided.
