While the baseball world awaits big news regarding a former Nationals prospect, Washington added five new ones in the 2023 Rule 5 Draft, the biggest their selection of Marlins minor-league SS Nasim Nunez with the fifth pick in the Major League phase.
The Nats did not lose a player in either the MLB or minor-league phase but added four more in the latter: Indians RHP Samuel Vazquez, Royals RHP Wander Arias, Mets RHP Daison Acosta, and A’s outfielder Moises Gallardo.
In addition, Jon Heyman reports the team has signed first baseman Juan Yepez, last of the Cardinals, to a minor-league deal with a spring training invite.
Nunez, 23 was Miami’s No. 16 prospect per MLB.com, and the switch-hitting middle infielder hit .224 with 84 runs scored, 88 walks, and 52 steals in 125 games at Double-A Pensacola last season.
The Nats do have a lot of infield versatility with Jake Alu, Ildemaro Vargas, and Jeter Downs behind Luis Garcia, CJ Abrams, and Carter Kieboom, but do not have a true first baseman on the roster with the departure of Dominic Smith, who played 140 games at the position last season.
Joey Meneses did play 19, but was the team’s primary DH in 2022, so that's where Yepez could fit; he played exclusive outfield in MLB last year, but played 15 games at first for the Cards in 2022, and he is a career .240 hitter in 104 games over the last two seasons.
