Prospect updates: Bostick, Robles and Ward

I like to check in with the Nationals and get their thoughts on some of the names to look out for in the minor leagues this season. The last blog, I focused on pitchers. This time, I asked about some of the on-field personnel you should check out.

The young prospects to watch as spring training begins include second baseman Christopher Bostick. The 21-year-old Bostick was acquired from the Texas Rangers, alongside right-handed reliever Abel de Los Santos, in the Ross Detwiler trade in December.

Bostick hit .270 in four minor league seasons from rookie level to high Single-A.

"I'm looking forward to seeing Bostick," Nationals director of player development Mark Scialabba said. "I'm excited to see him play. I've heard very positive things about him from our staff that has played against him. It will be interesting to see him."

Seventeen-year-old center fielder Victor Robles from the Dominican Republic has produced very well for the rookie-level DSL Nationals. The 6-foot, 185-lb. Robles hit .313 with 14 doubles, four triples, three home runs, 22 stolen bases and 25 RBIs in 47 games. His on-base percentage was .408.

"He is a young prospect with very impressive tools, (who) flashes at times all five tools," Scialabba said. "Someone that's very young, there's a lot of projection there, but we have seen a lot of good things come from so far."

Another prospect to watch is third baseman Drew Ward, who will likely play at high Single-A Potomac to start the 2015 season. The 2013 third-rounder from Oklahoma is 6-foot-4 and 210 lbs. He hit .269 with 26 doubles, three triples and 10 homers with 73 RBIs in 115 games for low Single-A Hagerstown last season.

"Drew Ward is obviously someone I love to watch," Scialabba said. "I think he is someone that will continue to grow physically and maturing.

"Last year was a really good year for him. You see the numbers, but that doesn't really reflect really how much he learned on the field. He certainly has the power developed in the corner bat that can drive the ball to all fields. He has the tools and the projection. It's just a matter of time and getting at-bats. He will be an exciting player to watch.

"When he fills out, he is going to be an extremely large man that can certainly hit the ball deep into the gaps. Defensively, he works extremely hard. Has really good makeup, works his tail off. He has high expectations for himself. He has the ability to certainly help us one day hopefully down the road."