Top prospect Robles gets chance to impress vs. big leaguers

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Victor Robles is all of 19, having played all of 41 games of high Single-A ball, so he could've been excused had he been a bit overexcited to play in the Nationals' intrasquad game today against major leaguers.

Robles, though, showed no such signs of that. If anything, he looked and acted like he belonged with the advanced company.

"I felt comfortable," he said via interpreter Octavio Martinez. "That's what I work for, is to prepare myself and face big league pitchers. I felt good."

So it wasn't tough to contain your excitement?

"No, it's not difficult at all," he said. "That's what I work for, so I get used to that."

With most of the Nationals' big league regulars sitting out the glorified scrimmage, the organization gave its top-ranked prospect an opportunity to play on this bigger stage. Wearing a nameless No. 91 jersey, he batted third for the visiting team, started in center field and acquitted himself well in the process.

"He's the youngest guy out on the field; that's how it was for me," said manager Dusty Baker, who made his major league debut at 19 in 1968. "He looked good. ... He's a good talent. That's why we brought him over, to get a look at him."

Robles showed off one of his many tools right away today, beating out a slow roller to third without even drawing a throw. He also launched a deep fly ball to center field in his second at-bat, one of the best pieces of contact on a day when hitters clearly lagged behind pitchers.

He did show a little bit of excessive exuberance when he got caught dancing too far off second base by Tanner Roark and was subsequently picked off. But that was a small blemish, not to mention a learning experience.

Robles isn't in the Nationals' immediate plans. He'll most likely open the season either back at Single-A Potomac or at Double-A Harrisburg. But he most definitely is in the club's long-term plans.

No member of the Nats' farm system was more sought-after this winter than Robles, whose name was floated in almost every trade rumor. General manager Mike Rizzo was willing in the end to deal pitchers Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Dane Dunning. He was not willing to include Robles in any trade, most notably for Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen or former White Sox ace Chris Sale.

Robles admitted he heard some of the rumors but tried not to pay too much attention. The fact the Nationals were so adamant against trading him, though, did resonate with him.

"I'm very proud of that," he said. "First of all, the fact that they signed me here. Secondly that they showed that confidence. They really want to keep me here and think highly of me. That goes a long way. I was very excited about that."

Robles remains a raw talent who needs more seasoning - he only has 218 games of professional experience since signing out of his native Dominican Republic in 2014. But he's got the full skill-set and projects to be starting in center field in Washington, perhaps as soon as 2018.

"We just want him to play," Baker said. "And try not to put any limitations on him, try not to put too many restrictions. He's a young colt, and you want him to run and do his thing."

Robles, recently rated the 13th-best prospect in the sport by Baseball America and the seventh-best by MLB.com, wasn't afraid today to suggest his arrival could come much sooner than anticipated.

Asked, if the Nationals had a need sometime this season, whether he'd be ready for the majors, the teenager cracked a smile.

"I'm always ready," he said.