Washington Nationals news & notes: Yohandy Morales at No. 40 thrilled Nats’ front office…

Washington’s front office staff took Dylan Cruz with the No. 2 pick in this year’s first-year player draft, clearly excited by his success in his three years in Washington. LSU Cruz is the Nationals’ near-major league big-name player in their latest draft class.

Special Assistant to GM Chris Klein (He then became the club’s vice president and director of scouting operations.) was equally excited about the Nats’ second-round pick, Yohandi Morales, a 22-year-old third baseman who was recently selected with the 40th overall pick out of the University of Miami.

“Yo-yo, he’s a big, strong, physical corner player,” Klein told reporters.

“That’s amazing speed for a player his size. He’s much better than your average runner. He’s a really good defender and throws above average. And power in the corner spot.

“One of the loudest bats I’ve heard this year. We were pretty happy to get him at 40.”

The Nationals were happy to take him at age 40, as the infielder was ranked as a potential top-20 pick in some outlets’ pre-draft rankings.

“We actually ranked him higher than 20th, so it worked out pretty well,” Klein added with a laugh.

Klein acknowledged that the competition both Crews and Morales faced in college and the schools with championship traditions they played at made it easier to evaluate both, saying, “… ” he said. He performed very well this year, but he’s gotten even better.”

“Morales batted .408 with 13 doubles, 20 home runs, and 70 RBIs.”[s]with 30 walks, 55 strikeouts, seven stolen bases, and 58 runs scored in 61 games,” as the Nats said in a press release for the second-round pick, Miami this year.

“He posted a .475 on-base percentage and a .713 slugging percentage. Morales ranks in the ACC in batting average (1^cent.408), slugging power (3^rd.713), OPS (3^rd1.187), RBI (4)^th70) and home runs (6)^th20).

“The 6-foot-4, 225-pound junior reached base in 55 of the 61 games he played in 2023 and had safe hits in 50 of those games.

“Morales also had multiple RBIs in 19 games, including multiple home runs in four games and five RBIs in three games.”

“I think just the will to win games and take the team as far as possible,” Morales said of his growth in his final year with the Hurricanes.

He was eligible to be selected in the pandemic-shortened 2020 draft, but was not selected (At least partially due to obsession with Miami) But the decision to go to college really paid off for the infielder.

After the Nationals drafted him, he said, “It worked out really well for me because I’m here now.”

“I’m very happy with my decision and I feel like it paid off. I was able to go to Miami and obviously my three years helped me grow not only as a player but as a person, so , I’m very grateful for the three years I was able to go to Miami.”

And Morales was fine with falling to the Nationals in 40th place.

“Obviously I went further than I intended to go,” he said. To help the team win the match. ”

When asked about what he brings to the field and how he would describe himself as a player, Morales said: He’s an all-around player who tries to do everything he can to win.”

Although Morales has at times appeared humble when speaking to reporters, he showed semblance of confidence when asked about the Nationals taking him and Cruz with the top two picks. .

“Honestly, I feel like Washington got two of the best hitters in college in the draft.

“Dylan and I have been playing together since we were young so we played together a lot. So when we go out there and get ready to hit a baseball, it’s going to be a special group.”

Both players finished their draft year in Double-A with the Nationals, with Morales playing for four affiliates in his first year as a pro, hitting a combined .349/.423/.494 with 16 doubles and four triples. I launched the line. He had 19 walks and 36 Ks in 42 games and 189 at-bats.

Cruz is currently ranked No. 1 overall in the Nationals’ system. MLB Pipeline Scout Morales is in seventh place.