The Washington Nationals’ draft plan revolved around one player, and not top-10 pick Seaver King. Second-round pick Luke Dickerson was the player the Nats planned to draft. They traded away a higher-rated prospect with the No. 10 pick to get the money to sign Dickerson.
The Nationals gave Dickerson a $3.8 million bonus and made him Most expensive second round pick in MLB draft history. In terms of slot value, the Nats paid Dickerson the equivalent of a 22nd pick in the draft. Obviously, this means high expectations are placed on the New Jersey native who matched Mike Trout’s record. Single season home run record In the state.
But Dickerson will be a slow burn. He was a multi-sport athlete who showed up late for baseball season and helped his high school team win a state championship in hockey. Because of that, he’s a little less sophisticated than other players who have been playing only baseball for a long time. But it also gives him even more untapped potential.
Once he was on the field, his draft stock went through the roof. He went from being a relative unknown to being one of the fastest rising players in the draft. The Nationals clearly believe they can develop him from raw athlete to star player.
Dickerson’s distinguishing characteristic at this point is his athleticism. He is a plus runner and also has plus raw power. This is an unusual combination, especially when combined with his relatively advanced ball feel. Dickerson still has some unknowns given his lack of experience, but he has a lot of expectations.
His muscular physique may remind some of fellow New Jersey prep product Mike Trout. Dickerson still has a long way to go before he can be half of Mike Trout, but this is interesting information.
Dickerson is currently a shortstop, but with his average pitching arm, many scouts believe second base or even center field could be his future defensive home. At this point, Dickerson is a box full of tools, but those tools need to be refined.
Dickerson should spend the 2025 season at Low-A Fredericksburg before gradually moving up. This is his first time as a full-time baseball player, so the Nats should take it slow. There may be some slumps along the way in 2025, but it’s important to remember that Dickerson is a long-term project. But with his tools, Luke Dickerson could be the talk of the prospect world within the next 18 months.
