After watching Soto, Robles seeks to realize his own potential

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - It was both the greatest thing and the worst thing that could've happened from Victor Robles' perspective. Juan Soto's remarkable rookie season inspired his fellow Dominican outfielder, who knows he's about to get the same opportunity the Nationals gave the 19-year-old last year. But Robles also knows Soto set the bar so high as a rookie that some might just assume he's now capable of duplicating it himself.

"It was very impressive, without a doubt," Robles said, via interpreter Octavio Martinez. "I think anyone would like to have a season like that. All I can do is be supportive and admire the great season he had. Hopefully, something will come about in that same regards for me this season."

The Nationals are determined to give Robles the opportunity. Though he's not assured of the opening day center fielder's job, it's clear the organization prefers he beats out Michael A. Taylor this spring, given his long-term potential.

But it's not nearly as simple to thrive as a rookie as Soto made it seem last season. So the last thing the Nats want Robles to do right now is start believing he's supposed to be this year's version of Soto.

"Honestly, I don't think there's an impact at all," manager Davey Martinez said. "I think Robles and Soto are two different players."

Indeed, there aren't that many similarities between the two youngsters, aside from their nationality and common position. Soto is an offensive machine, a supremely advanced hitter who arrived to the majors with a stunning command of the strike zone and an ability to hit the ball anywhere on the field. Robles is a more well-rounded prospect, one who's equally impressive in center field or on the bases as he is at the plate.

Robles also has reached the big leagues before. He was a September call-up in both 2017 and 2018, and even earned a spot on the 2017 National League Division Series roster. The 21-year-old enters this season with 93 big league plate appearances already to his name, not to mention a strong .843 OPS.

"I think most people know what I can do," said Robles, who doesn't lack confidence. "So I just need to keep working hard and doing the things I know how to do."

What he knows how to do is play a complete game. Scouts have long compared him to a young Andrew McCutchen, a dynamic center fielder who hit for more power than his modest frame would suggest and was just as much of a terror with his glove and his legs as with his bat.

The Nationals want Robles to remember all that.

"The biggest thing for me is playing good defense and running the bases hard," Martinez said. "The other stuff, it's going to come. You've hit everywhere you've been, so that stuff is going to come. But the two constants for me is: 'You're going to play defense, you're going to play it well and you're going to run the bases well."

One year ago, Robles was the top prospect drawing all the attention in Nationals camp. But an early season elbow injury pushed him to the background for a while and opened the door for Soto to burst past him on the depth chart.

Now Soto suddenly is the established major leaguer coming off a brilliant rookie season, while Robles finds himself looking up to his younger teammate. The Nationals have invested a lot in him, though, and they refused to include him in any trade discussions over the last two years.

Now the pressure's on the kid to prove he's not only ready to be this team's everyday center fielder, but that he doesn't get caught up in the Soto hoopla and derail his own career progression in the process.

"I don't add that extra pressure on me," Robles said. "I feel like if I do it's going to change the way I play. I just know what I can do, and I'm here to do what I can do. Play my game and let everything else take care of itself. That's what I want. I want to be part of the big league team, but I'm not going to add any extra pressure to that."