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The more the Nationals saw lefty-hitting outfielder Samil Serrano swing the bat, the more confident they grew in his potential abilities at the big league level. The Nats inked the 17-year-old Serrano as one of the headliners in their 2026 international signing class last week. Serrano received a signing bonus worth $1.9 million, according to MLB.com’s Jesse Borek. |
“The first thing that stands out when you see him is the body type, and it’s a very fluid swing,” Nationals director of international operations Victor Rodriguez said. “It’s a swing that works well to the big part of the field. … As we evolved in the evaluations process, we got to see that that sweet swing plays in the game.” Serrano was ranked as the No. 26 international prospect by MLB Pipeline. The MLB Pipeline team evaluated the 6-foot-3, 173-pound Serrano with the following scouting grades (on a scale of 20-80): hit, 50; power, 50; run, 50; arm, 50; field, 55; overall, 50. “Looking at the body type and how much room he has to grow into some significant mass, we firmly believe that this guy has the opportunity to hit and grow into some power as well,” Rodriguez said. Serrano was signed by Nationals scout Oscar Disla, who had seen Serrano develop for several years. “A sweet swing is a swing that's very easily repeatable, and that ties into the athleticism of being fluid,” Rodriguez said. “As we see a lot of guys that we have on the big league field and overall in Major League Baseball, the guys that have the fluidity and the athleticism to be able to repeat are the guys that have the most consistent success.” Serrano attended the Jaime Ramos Academy – a member of MLB’s Trainer Partnership Program – in San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic. |
“He is a very instinctual defender,” Rodriguez said of Serrano. “He’s not an above-average runner, but he’s a guy that really takes clean routes and can really defend in a premium position.” Serrano was one of six outfield prospects signed by the Nationals last Thursday. Outfielder Isaias Suarez, ranked as the No. 40 international prospect, also signed for $1.9 million, per Borek. |
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NATS EYEING STRONG SEASON FROM CORTESIA |
The Nationals have high hopes in 2026 for their top international signing from the ’25 class. No. 24 prospect Brayan Cortesia, who inked a $1.92 million signing bonus, was limited to 39 games in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League because of an injury. “He was a little bit unlucky early in the year,” Rodriguez said. “He had a foul ball to the face, which of course is not the best way to start a career. So it kind of delayed his development a little bit.” When cleared to play, Cortesia slashed .317/.440/.358 with a .798 OPS. In 120 at-bats, he collected three doubles, one triple, 12 RBIs, 26 runs scored and 22 stolen bases. The infielder turned 18 on Nov. 14. “I think this is a guy that this year could be in a position to take off after he has more time underneath him, getting stronger and getting used to a professional setting,” said Rodriguez. |
WOOD LEAPS IN TOP 100 RANKING |
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