17-year-old Juan Soto making good progress for GCL Nationals

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

August 08, 2016, 6:29am

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Another Dominican outfielder is off to a good start for the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Nationals. 17-year-old Juan Soto is hitting .325 with six doubles, two triples, four homers, two stolen bases and 20 RBIs in 30 games.

On Aug. 1, Soto went 4-for-5 with a solo homer, three runs and three RBIs in a 11-10 loss to the GCL Cardinals.

Nationals director of player development Mark Scialabba said the organization is very happy with Soto's progress this season.

"He is a corner outfielder with an impact-type bat down the road," Scialabba said. "Soto has strong hands and an ability to hit to all fields."

Scialabba said, similar to outfielder Victor Robles, Soto is another example of international scouting of the Nationals led by Johnny DiPuglia.

"Juan Soto's start has been very impressive," Scialabba said. "Soto is another outstanding job by DiPuglia and his international scouting staff. He's a very mature young man and has already acclimated well to professional baseball and the environment at our complex in Florida.

"We are very excited about the progress he's made in his first professional season and look forward to seeing him continue to evolve into an impact player for us in the future."

Soto is a lefty-hitting 6-foot-1, 185-lbs., product of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He turns 18 on October 25.

The GCL Nationals (20-16) trail the Cardinals by 2 1/2 games for first place in the GCL East division standings.