Schrock can flat out hit, now focuses on defense at Potomac

Shortstop Max Schrock has hit the ground running in his promotion to high Single-A Potomac. The 21-year-old is hitting .427, going 32-for-75 in 16 games.

He has five doubles, three homers, four stolen bases and 11 RBIs. Dating back to Sunday, he has 20 hits in a 10-game span.

So far this season with low Single-A Hagerstown and Potomac, Schrock has raked, hitting .348 with 25 doubles, two triples, seven homers, 19 stolen bases and 50 RBIs in 83 games.

Potomac manager Tripp Keister, appearing live as my guest on "Nats Insider" Sunday on 106.7 The Fan, said the South Carolina product just comes out and plays baseball very well. This player is an amazing find in the 13th round of the 2015 draft, with another hat tip to the Nationals scouting department.

"He's done nothing but hit since he's come up," Keister said. "He's got some clutch hits, he had a walk-off homer the other night. He got a big base hit with two outs (Saturday) night to stretch out a lead."

Keister knew that Schrock could hit. But minor league maturation is also about completing a player's game. The concentration on improving has been on the defensive side for Schrock.

"He just hits. He's got a real simple swing," Keister said. "He's hit lefties, he's hit righties. He's hit breaking balls, he's hit fastballs. That part I had heard about but he has actually played good defense too, turned a couple of double plays. Real quick around the bag. That's ultimately what he's been working on as well."

As with any collegiate player, the jump from a game during the week and three on the weekend can be a shock to a player's system. Schrock has been careful to prepare for each game and each day with the proper workouts, stretching and nutrition for a season of over 100 games.

"This is his first full season," Keister said. "He's getting adjusted to playing every day. In college you play four times a week. Here you play 15 out of 16 days. It's been and adjustment for him but one that he's embraced. He's taken care of his body. He seems to be getting stronger as the season goes.

"He and Victor (Robles) at the top of the order have really given us some life and energy so it's been fun to watch."