The Nationals announced that they’ve signed infielder Grant Green to a minor league contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training. The Boras Corporation client will compete for a utility job in Spring Training and could also open the year in Triple-A as a depth option for the Nats.
[Related: Updated Washington Nationals Depth Chart]
Now 29 years of age, Green was a first-round pick by the A’s back in 2009 (No. 13 overall) and rated among the game’s top 100 prospects for multiple seasons prior to his debut in the Majors. However, despite consistently strong performances at the Triple-A level, where he’s a career .313/.351/.470 hitter in nearly 2000 plate appearances, Green’s bat simply hasn’t panned out in the Majors.
Green spent the 2016 season in the Giants organization and hit well in Triple-A, as usual, prompting a promotion to the Majors in late June. He slashed .261/.300/.370 in 50 plate appearances with the Giants, but he lost his roster spot when Joe Panik was activated from the disabled list in late July. San Francisco acquired Eduardo Nunez from Minnesota shortly thereafter, further blocking the road for a return to the Majors for Green.
The bulk of Green’s experience in the Majors has come as a second baseman, though he’s also spent time in the outfield corners and at each infield corner. In the minors, Green has seen more than 2000 innings at shortstop as well as more than 1100 innings at second base and more than 500 innings at virtually every spot on the diamond other than on the mound and behind the plate.
The Nationals are set with Ryan Zimmerman at first base, Daniel Murphy at second, Trea Turner at short and Anthony Rendon at third base. Behind that quartet is the recently re-signed Stephen Drew as well as corner outfielder Chris Heisey and first baseman/outfielder Clint Robinson. It seems unlikely that Green would beat out anyone from that group, especially as a right-handed bat (which the Nationals already possess in abundance), so it seems likeliest that he’ll either open the season in the upper minors with Washington.
Those are sick Giants uniforms.
The 70s Giants look. He’s wearing Greg Minton’s uniform.
They should bring those back on a regular basis. Way cooler looking than the boring regular look they usually have.
Triple A filler only.
I don’t know I think he could fill the shoes of Espinosa as super utility guy without the pouting and crying that he would have been doing. Let’s face it that was the main reason they trade him away cause he was a winer
Greene isn’t going to be more than an emergency backup waiting in AAA. They will give most of the Espinosa at bats to Drew and probably give Difo a chance to prove himself a capable backup. Greene will only be on the major league roster when there are a whole slew of injuries and only fill in a game or two a time- not going to be a vital part of the roster.
Definitely AAA only, barring injuries (until Sept.). Big bust. Definition of AAAA.
Sucks to hear that he is so successful in triple A but can’t get it together in the majors. I hate it for him
As a Nats fan Green was the guy I wanted the Nats to draft with their 10th overall pick in 2009. Instead they took Drew Storen because they knew he was going to be an easy sign. Hopefully Green can get make our bench.
At least the Nats got a few good years out of Storen. Green never had any. But it’d be a nice story if he turned out to be a late bloomer.
I have one
Giants uniform
What does Grant Green, JB Shuck, Hank Conger, Collen Cahill, and Johnny G all have in commen? They are all former Angels players, Angels fans thought Mike Scioscia didn’t know what he was doing with. Yet all any of them can do, is getting minor league deals.