The Nationals will select the contract of infielder Andres Chaparro from Triple-A prior to their next game on Tuesday in Baltimore, according to Andrew Golden of the Washington Post (X link). Multiple international websites, including from Chaparro’s native Venezuela were first with the news earlier today that Chaparro was set to be promoted for his MLB debut (hat tip to the Talk Nats feed). The Nationals have space on their 40-man roster, so they’ll just need to make a move on their 26-man roster to find room for Chaparro.
Acquired from the Diamondbacks for Dylan Floro on trade deadline day, Chaparro started his pro career as an international signing for the Yankees in 2015. He spent his first six minor league seasons in New York’s farm system before joining the D’Backs last winter, and the deadline trade has now lined up the 25-year-old for his first taste of the big leagues.
Like most prospects, 2020 was a lost year for Chaparro after the pandemic canceled the entirety of the minor league season. However, he returned to action in 2021 with a big step up in production, and he basically hasn’t stopped hitting on his four-year rise from A-ball to the Show. Chaparro hit .247/.331/.444 with 25 homers over 601 plate appearances for the Yankees’ Triple-A squad in 2023, and he stepped up with a big .330/.406/.577 slash line and 23 long balls over 451 combined PA with the Diamondbacks’ and Nationals’ Triple-A affiliates this year.
Since the large majority of his Triple-A work in 2024 came in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, it is fair to take Chaparro’s numbers with a grain of salt. That said, he has kept up the production since the trade to Triple-A Rochester, perhaps forcing the Nationals’ hand into giving him a look. Injuries on the active roster are likely also a factor, as Jose Tena (another deadline pickup in the Lane Thomas trade) left today’s game with a thumb problem, and All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams has missed the Nats’ last few games with back spasms.
Chaparro is considered a subpar defender at third base, and he has spent his entire pro career at both corner infield positions and a designated hitter. Since he doesn’t have much of a defensive profile, Chaparro will need to continue hitting if he’s going to factor into any of Washington’s future plans, or get any significant MLB playing time over the rest of the season.
Saw 2 games in Reno July 4th and 5th and this guy had 7 hits, a 3 run bomb off Robbie Ray, and walked off both games. Well deserved promotion
Watched him in Sac recently and dude looked legit. Who knows if it will translate but worth a shot!
When he first came over from the D-Backs, we wondered whether the PCL had inflated his numbers, but he has slugged four more homers in nine games at Rochester.
This is a good time to find out what the Nats got for Floro.
Both great stadiums!
Is this because Tena left the game on Sunday with a bleeding finger or is abrams’ balky back landing him on the IL.
The answer is yes.