Bostick finishes Arizona campaign rolling, Salt River earns second spot in division

The Salt River Rafters did well in Arizona Fall League play, finishing second to eventual champion Scottsdale. At 16-13, the Rafters were 1 1/2 games back of the Scorpions in the East Division.

Second baseman Chris Bostick had the best surge to finish the fall season. He had nine hits in his final six games, including three doubles, a triple and a home run.

It was a whirlwind 2015 season for Bostick. Last season, he was with high Single-A Myrtle Beach and then traded to the Nationals. He played 62 games with Potomac and then 75 games for Double-A Harrisburg. So he ended up with 601 at-bats on the season.

There was some question as to whether or not he was going to play in Arizona until Wilmer Difo came down with a late-season injury and Trea Turner had so much time with the big club. Even Bostick didn't know what would be next at the conclusion of the season.

Then he excelled for Salt River and was protected at the end of November by securing a spot on the Nationals' 40-man roster.

Catcher Spencer Kieboom and left-hander Nick Lee were also awarded spots on the 40-man roster.

Kieboom played in 13 games and had 42 at-bats, catching for the top prospects. He hit two homers, batted .238 and finished with seven RBIs. He committed only one error.

Lee is a coveted left-hander who pitched in six games for Salt River. He had a tremendous season for Potomac and Harrisburg, going 3-1 in 40 appearances with a 3.12 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 52 innings.

Right-hander John Simms had the best Arizona run, going 4-0 in six games with a 1.88 ERA in 24 innings. Abel De Los Santos (six games) and Wirkin Estevez (four games) also contributed and gained valuable experience in a select league.

Third baseman Drew Ward played in 12 games and got 31 at-bats. His extra-base hitting ability will be important to the organization that is in search of power hitters to build on like Tyler Moore and Steven Souza Jr.