Wilmer Difo

Difo backed into a career high in plate appearances as injuries ravaged the Nationals' infield. He raised his walk rate by two percentage points from 2017 and chipped in 10 steals for the second straight year, but despite improving his flyball rate by nine percentage points (to 33.8%), the infielder continued to show little power. Difo mostly faced right-handed pitching, and chances are the switch hitter will continue to see most of his opportunities from the left side of the plate. The Nationals did not bring back Daniel Murphy, but they signed Brian Dozier to a one-year deal to man the keystone. Top prospect Carter Kieboom also looms for a possible 2019 debut. Even if he were to find his way into frequent work, Difo would only rank as a deep-league dart for steals and stat-compiling.

Difo's 2017 season was certainly nothing to write home about offensively, but he was a plus on defense and enters 2018 as the Nationals' top backup at three infield positions. His batting eye regressed from his 31-game sample in 2016, with his walk rate falling from 12.1 percent to 6.6 percent and his strikeout rate creeping up to over 20 percent. Difo hardly hit for any power (22.9 percent hard-hit rate, .099 ISO), but he did connect for a good number of line drives (24.4 percent) while also making an impact on the basepaths. He has stolen at least 28 bags four different times on the farm and was caught just once at the big-league level last season. As he enters his age-26 season, Difo still has a ways to go in terms of figuring out right-handed pitching (.273 wOBA in 2017). He will be forced to learn on the job if there is a long-term injury ahead of him on the depth chart.

After a solid but unspectacular 2015 at Double-A, Difo surprisingly found himself returning to Harrisburg last season, as the Nationals' offseason additions up the middle left no room for him at Triple-A. He didn't exactly force the organization's hand, as some aspects of his game took a step backwards in 2016, especially his efficiency as a base stealer. There were encouraging signs hidden behind a decline in his BABIP, though. His walk rate went up, his strikeout rate down, and Difo found himself on the postseason roster as insurance while Daniel Murphy dealt with a leg injury. This offseason proved to be a much better one for the switch-hitter's job prospects. With Trea Turner taking over at shortstop and Danny Espinosa now an Angel, things seemed to be looking up for Difo, although his future is looking a bit murkier following the return of Stephen Drew. Difo may have to start the season at Triple-A, but if he continues to progress, he could find his way up to the big leagues once again.

A speedster who has shown some surprising pop in the minors, Difo crushed High-A pitching to begin 2015, forcing a quick promotion to Double-A and eventually landing him a couple of cups of coffee with the big club. His plate discipline took a tumble at the higher levels, but Difo's 30-for-32 success rate on the basepaths highlighted his primary offensive skill, and his glovework at either middle infield position has been impeccable. The biggest question for the switch-hitting Difo is when he'll get a chance as a regular. He turns 24 right after Opening Day, and Danny Espinosa and Trea Turner are ahead of him on the organizational depth chart at shortstop following Ian Desmond's departure. With Daniel Murphy and Anthony Rendon manning second and third base, it is hard to see where Difo will fit in 2016. He may have to wait his turn and work on that plate discipline at Triple-A until the Nats have a vacancy, or get traded to a less crowded situation.

Difo spent an entire season with a full-season affiliate for the first time in his career in 2014, and the results were impressive. The 22-year-old split his time between second base and shortstop, showing more consistent defensive chops at the former position. While he failed to appear on most preseason organizational top prospect lists for the Nats, Difo opened plenty of eyes last season with his combination of power and speed, which included a 49-for-58 mark as a basestealer. Listed at 6-feet and 175 pounds, the switch-hitting Difo hit the ball on the ground less frequently last season, showing increased pop and maximizing the value of his plus-speed. The 14 home runs he hit last season were more than double his total from the previous four seasons combined. Difo will make the move to High-A in 2015, but he could begin to move a bit more quickly through the Nats' system after taking a few years to solve rookie ball.