Victor Robles realizes his chances of establishing himself are running out. of But the Washington Nationals want the 25-year-old to make a case for it before he goes in another direction, and they’ve told him a lot.
“I think he’s in a good position right now,” Nationals skipper Davey Martinez told reporters earlier this month that things were going well in 2023 spring training.
“I had a good conversation with him. We had a good conversation, ‘If you play center field for us every day, we’re going to be better.’ And that’s what he wants to work on this spring.So I love where he is.I’ve always loved Vic as a person and he has some incredible moments. I have.
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“If we can get him to do that, we’ll be really, really good, polished players.”
Of course, the club wanted Robles to become a productive, polished MLB outfielder. world series Robles got a message from the team based on what he said this spring.
Robles said last week through translator Octavio Martinez, In the words of MASN’s Mark Zuckerman“With God’s help this season, I think I can have a great season and show what I can do.”
His manager believes it’s time for Robles to become the player the club thinks he can be.
Martinez said last week, “We’ve seen him so far this spring, and I think he’s more mature.” I can see that he’s actually more focused on that than everything else that’s involved and he looks good.He’s made some changes to his swing.So far I’ve I like it, but also in the outfield. I took him there today…and he really stood out as a guy who understood what he needed to do, and He’s very fast, very precise, and gets every little thing right.”
This is something the club has been emphasizing against Robles for some time.
In the words of GM Mike Rizzo, some of Robles’ occasional mistakes are far more tolerable for a player hitting . performance and do all the so-called little things. (this is usually the big one) right.
“When I’ve done it in the past, it was always the one or two things he struggled with or he was missing,” Martinez said of his previous work with Robles. For me, where he returns to who he is.
“That’s what we’ve been talking to him about over the years. He wants to do a lot and I know we’re really trying to win.
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“I think we had to take a step back. He had to take a little step back and try to focus on who he really wants to be. And that’s what we’re trying to help now. And , I think he’s got it figured out now, here’s a guy who has to play great defense, that’s him right? We’re not looking for him — like we saw in ’19, get the ball in play like he thinks he can and the home run will be there. What we ask of him, and accept it.”
And what little things the club would like Robles to focus on this spring and what changes he needs to embrace?
“He wants to build something big [happen]explained Martinez, but “… let’s focus on the simple things. That’s the problem. Play deeper. [in center field] It makes things much easier for him. I know he wants to make his eye-popping plays, but he moves so well in the outfield, so let’s do those routine plays. He gets the ball very well. So he’s much better at winning the ball than coming back.
“It’s not going big at home plate, it’s just trying to hit a line drive. Stay in the middle of the field, try hitting a line drive, and see what happens. I’m thinking of going up there and trying to hit the ball out of the ballpark and we don’t need that and it’s nice that it happens but he has to be constant. Any guy who can get on base and steal for us, especially now, must be him.”
