2008 Outfield Profiles

Outfield

The starting outfield has a tremendous potential. All three of the starters (Bernadina, Maxwell and Daniel) have the potential to steal 30 bases. Padilla, a 10 year veteran, is capable of stepping up and delivering when needed.


OF – Justin Maxwell –Born 11/6/83 – 6’5” – 225 - Bats/Throws: Right
Justin Maxwell was selected by the Nationals in the fourth round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft. Maxwell, according to Baseball America (BA), ranks as the 9th best prospect in the Nationals organization. BA rates him as the Best Athlete in the system as well.

Maxwell played at three levels in 2007 (A, A+ and MLB). While with Hagerstown (A) and Potomac (A+); he had a combined average of .281, 35 stolen bases, 27 homeruns and 83 RBI’s. He appeared in 15 games for the Nationals at the end of the season hitting .269, 2 homeruns. He was named player of the week once, received two Player of the Month Honors, and was named to the Arizona Fall League All-Prospect Team. The Nationals name him their organization Player of the Year for 2007.

Maxwell will be Harrisburg’s centerfielder for 2008 (barring a call-up by the Nationals). Defensive: He is capable of playing all three outfield positions, strong arm, great range, above average speed. Offense: Has the potential to 30/30 (homeruns/stolen bases). He needs to work on his approach at the plate and cut down on strike outs (130 total last season).

OF – Roger Bernadina – Born 6/12/1984 – 6’0” – 170 – Bats/Throws: Left

Roger Bernadina has been with the Nationals/Expos organization for 6 seasons. He was signed as a free agent in 2001 and started his pro career in 2002 at the age of 18.

Bernadina played for both Harrisburg (AA) and Columbus in 2007 combing to hit .259, 6 homeruns, 37 RBI’s and 40 stolen bases.

Defense: He is capable of playing all 3 outfield positions. Tremendous speed, good glove, decent arm strength.
Offense: He doesn’t project to be a high average hitter or hit a lot of homeruns but he has gap-to-gap power and with his speed he should get a lot of extra base hits. When on base he poses above average speed which has lead to 24 or more stolen bases in each of the last 4 season.

OF - Mike Daniel – Born 8/17/1984 – 6’3” – 180 – Bats/Left – Throws/Right
Mike Daniel is ranked by Baseball America as the 23rd best prospect in the Nationals organization entering the 2008 season.

Daniel played at two levels during the 2007 season (A & A+). While playing for Hagerstown (A) and Potomac (A+); he had a combined average of .294, 35 doubles, 11 homeruns, 78 RBI’s and 25 stolen bases. In 2007, while playing for Hagerstown, he was named to the SAL Mid-Season All-Star team.

Defense: He is capable of playing all three outfield positions but due to average arm strength he is better suited for a corner outfield spot. He has good speed which helps to cover ground in the field. Offense: hits for average, good gap power (which leads to extra base hits), smart base runner.

OF – Jorge Padilla – Born 8/11/1979 – 6’2” – 200 – Bats/ Throws: Right

Padilla was originally drafted in the third round of the 1998 First-Year Player Draft by the Phillies. He is a 10-year veteran who played in the Easter League on 3 occasions (02-03 with Reading, 06 with Binghamton). In 2006 while with Binghamton, Padilla, was named Player of the Week and Mid-Season. He has played a handful of games in the majors for Philadelphia and Kansas City.

2007 saw Padilla playing in for Wichita (AA) and Omaha (AAA) in the Royals organization. He combined to hit .316, 16 homeruns, 69 RBI’s and 19 stolen bases.

He should serve the team in a back up role coming off the bench to give Maxwell, Bernadina or Daniel a rest.