Robles getting chance to display talent at high Single-A

Center fielder Victor Robles out of the Dominican Republic has been promoted to high Single-A Potomac after dominating at the low Single-A level.

While with Hagerstown, Robles hit .305 with nine doubles, six triples, five homers, 19 stolen bases and 30 RBIs in 64 games.

He has hit .286 (4-for-14) with a homer and an RBI in his last three games with the P-Nats.

In one game last Friday, he went 0-for-0 at the plate with a walk, a run scored and two RBIs after getting hit by a pitch three times.

Potomac manager Tripp Keister, appearing with me on "Nats Insider" Sunday, said it wasn't because the other team was trying to hit the speedster. It was just that Robles was digging in for every at-bat and wasn't going to back off.

"He is as advertised," Keister said. "I can't wait for him to come to bat because you are going to see something that you might never see. He is some kind of fast. His first step quickness is incredible. It's our job to reach these tools, but he could be a five-tool-type guy in terms of power, speed, throwing, hitting for average. He's fun to watch and fun to try to develop."

Robles has connected on 26 of 36 (.722) stolen bases and has displayed a great nose for the baseball in the outfield, leading off and playing center field for the P-Nats. He is 7-for-9 (.777) in thefts with Potomac.

"Any time he's on the bases, he's got a chance to score," Keister said. "Coaching third with him I got to move down the line because he's coming around third and he does not want you to stop him. He plays a great center field. He gets great jumps on the ball. He's got a really good arm. If you haven't seen him, you need to come see him play. He's only 19-years-old.

"He's going to struggle a bit at first in the Carolina League facing 24- or 25-year-old guys who can command their secondary pitches. But he's going to be alright and he's going to keep getting better each day because he comes to work. He's a lot of fun to watch."

There is good reason why Robles is ranked so high for the Nationals. MLB.com also realizes the tools laden potential of the young Dominican phenom.