2:28pm: Tocci does not currently have a Spring Training invite, Sam Fortier of the Washington Post tweets. It’s possible that the Nats could add him to big league camp at some point, of course, but if not, it seems likely that he’d head straight to Triple-A Fresno.
2:09pm: The Nationals have agreed to a minor league pact with outfielder Carlos Tocci, reports Bob Nightengale of USA Today (via Twitter). The fleet-footed 24-year-old will be in Major League Spring Training as a non-roster invitee.
Tocci, once a relatively high-profile international signing by the Phillies, spent the 2018-19 seasons in the Rangers organization after Texas acquired him in the 2017 Rule 5 Draft. Selected more for his speed, defense and contact abilities than for his chances of becoming an impact player at the plate, Tocci was hidden on the Rangers’ roster in a limited role throughout the 2018 campaign. He appeared in only 66 games and took just 135 turns at the plate, posting a woeful .225/.271/.283 batting line in that time.
Struggles were somewhat foreseeable, as Tocci had played in just 17 Triple-A games through the 2017 campaign and had long faced questions about a lack of power. But Tocci’s difficulties at the plate continued into the 2019 season in Triple-A, where despite a leaguewide boom in offense, he mustered a paltry .244/.313/.308 batting line (55 wRC+). Scouting reports on Tocci have long touted his plus defensive tools, but he’ll need to make some strides with the bat if he has any hope of establishing himself as viable big league outfielder.
Tocci gives the Nats some additional depth in center field — not that the club is hurting in that regard. Victor Robles, Juan Soto and Adam Eaton are lined up to start once again in 2020, while Michael A. Taylor projects as the primary backup option. Andrew Stevenson gives the Nats another option on the 40-man roster as well, but the organization’s center-field depth in the upper minors is a bit lacking.
Watching this guy run down a deep fly ball is a thing of beauty. Watching him hit is another thing..
I remember him from that Reading team in 2017. I even saw his last AB in a the Phillies organization. Outside of Scott Kingery stealing the show, Tocci was pretty impressive. It’s too bad Texas took him in the Rule 5. If he developed in the minors a little longer and added a little more power he could have been a solid 4th or 5th outfielder for the Phillies givin his defensive ability. Too bad he hasn’t really panned out.
Another thing?
Anti Beauty?
He may be able to run like Mays but…
I got cut already????
“Selected more for his speed, defense and contact abilities than for his chances of becoming an impact player at the plate…Tocci had ….long faced questions about a lack of power. ”
Tocci was GIMPED by his total lack of power. Cesar Hernandez and Freddy Galvis were also gimped by a lack of power. Maikel Franco had power and bat speed but he was gimped by a lack of foot speed, so much so that he was listed as a catcher because his 60 yard dash speed at 16 years old was the slowest ever seen. Franco’s comp has been DH Edwin Encarnacion for years.
All Phillies players from Latin America are gimped in this way. If they are true up-the-middle guys they have no power. If they profile to have real bat production then they can’t run and profile as a future DH.
Sal Agostinelli has been in charge of these signings for over two decades. This is deliberate. John Middleton can pimp Bryce Harper to Phillies fans but five tool Latinos? Sal Agostinelli has his marching orders and he follows them, that’s why he’s been with the Phillies forever.
Is there anyone in MLB with even 60% of the experience in July 2nd signings that Sal Agostinelli has?
are you really making this an issue of nationality. Tocci was left of the roster for a reason. he projects as a 4th OF at best. fast with a good glove, try Albert Almora lite. heard anyone singing the praises of Almora recently?
Your post looks like a response to mine!
Clearly it can’t be though as anyone who reads my post can attest.
how many times do you have to mention “latino” in a sports article without it becoming questionable, especially when it appears to have no bearing on the situation at hand?
How many times would you have to take English in the fourth grade of elementary school in order to pass it?
Apparently the Nationals thought it was a 36 man roster this year.
You won’t see anything written about it, but the key to all these additions can be traced by an under-the-radar hire in player personnel: Dr. Henry Frankenstein.
I guess this means no Donaldson.
take a look at the Article before this one
take a look at the Joke that’s over your head.
It was a joke making fun of the fact that every time the Nats sign someone, people say that means no Donaldson.
Who?
Technically the Rangers didn’t draft him in the 2017 Rule 5 Draft.
Hope he takes the cannoli
Go Cubs Go
He actually sucks
just pump him up with a bunch of turkey. 160lbs 6’2″. We can always use a defensive base runner out on the field in late innings. Good pick up. Link him up with Trea.