Nationals early camp capsule: Jakson Reetz and Jorge Tillero

Let's check up on a couple of catchers from the Nationals' early camp.

Today, we will focus on 2014 third-round selection Jakson Reetz and undrafted free agent Jorge Tillero.

The 19-year-old Reetz is from Hickman, Neb., (population 1,657) and is showing a power bat in spring training as he did last season for the Gulf Coast League Nats. He attended Norris High School. Hickman is 15 minutes south of Lincoln and a 73-minute drive southwest of Omaha.

Reetz hit .274 in 43 games in the GCL, with six doubles, one triple, one homer, six stolen bases and 15 RBIs. It is likely that low Single-A Hagerstown manager Patrick Anderson, who has worked with the catchers a lot this spring, will coach him with the Suns this summer.

"He is as advertised," Anderson said. "The rovers say you are really going to like this kid. For one thing, his makeup is off the chart. He is a, 'Yes sir, no sir,' he is a sponge for any information he can get. He's a student of the game at this young age. He really has great aptitude. So he really intrigued us."

Anderson said Reetz has the tools to be a good baseball player, and just needs reps and fine-tuning at this young age.

"He is raw with regards to some of his skill set," Anderson continued. "He's got a real good arm. He is a very strong man. I think he's going to be pretty interesting as he gets going. He has raw power. He has got to fine-tune some things here and there. He is 19 years old, and has a ways to go, but all in the good ways.

Some commenters have asked about the potential of Reetz's big bat being moved to the outfield, similar to Bryce Harper when he began his pro career. Anderson believes Reetz is perfect where he is right now as a catcher and doesn't need a position change.

"You can't find too many catchers nowadays, it's just a hard position to fill," Anderson said. "Bryce can really, really run. Reetz can, as well. But Reetz fills a little bit more of a catcher's build and sits well for him. For Reetz, I personally think it maximizes as much as he can behind the plate and let him play."

Anderson said that a major part of the Nationals' philosophy is to go "level to level" with these kids. Reetz is only 19, let him play, let him hit, let him learn the position through outstanding coaching in the Nats system and build into a ballplayer.

Anderson said assistant general manager and vice president of player development and pro scouting Doug Harris wants to take it slow with these young players as they mature, learn the game and learn their position.

"They've got to be able to call a game, handle a staff and deal with the offensive stuff - to be able to go and not allow one to affect the other at such a young age," Anderson said. "It's a lot on a young player. So that is why to be able to progress a guy and not try to push him too fast is so important. Doug's unbelievable with that."

The Nationals have had success finding good catchers from Venezuela with Wilson Ramos, Sandy Leon and Jose Lobaton the most recent and current examples.

Today, the Nationals like what they see early on from the 21-year-old Tillero, who is from Maturin Estado Monagas, Venezuela. Tillero hit .300 with four doubles and 10 RBIs in 33 games last season for the GCL Nats. Anderson has liked the display of defense Tillero has shown this spring.

"This kid has got a really good arm," Anderson said. "He is steady Eddie. He is really quiet. He can catch and throw, he showed me some bat potential a little bit. He is more of a catch-and-throw type of guy. Strong kid. He goes about his business as a professional, young kid. He intrigues me, he's got a plus arm."