The Washington Nationals have secured the fifth spot in next year's draft, and it isn't too early to look at some of the possibilities on who the Nationals should draft next year. Don't miss out on our draft candidate series as we search the prospect lists and take a deep dive. Check out:
With the Nationals already having top-tier pitching talent, two great catchers now in the majors, and the Nationals drafting a shortstop last year, one could assume that you can rule out those positions as a position of need.
One position that the Nationals could take a look at improving is at second base. Drafting another infielder would be a departure from what Rizzo has done with his past draft picks; it might be time to put a big emphasis on the various infield positions.
Robert Moore, an infielder from the University of Arkansas, would be a great addition to the improving farm system of the Washington Nationals. Even though Moore is ranked behind other prospects Brooke Lee and Carter Young by most evaluators at his position, some believe that he will make a better second baseman in the majors the Nationals need. Moore is ranked in the Top 40 Prospects in the upcoming 2022 MLB draft. He was considered one of the top prep names in the 2020 class. However, he enrolled early at the University of Arkansas.
Bio
Born March 31, 2002, Robert Moore is an infielder at the University of Arkansas, and his father is current Kansas City Royals general manager Dayton Moore.
Robert Moore started all 16 games as a freshman in 2020, 15 at second base and one at shortstop. After enrolling in 2020, he has rated the No. 29 second baseman in the country by D1 Baseball. Moore earned three awards during the 2020 season: SEC Co-Player of the Week (February 24), SEC Co-Freshman of the Week (March 16), and Perfect Game National Player of the Week on February 24. During the 2020-2021 season, Moore also had 53 RBI's, 16 Homeruns, 66 hits, scored 59 runs, had a batting average of 0.283, an on-base percentage of 0.384, and a slugging percentage of 0.558.
In high school, Moore was ranked as No. 1 player in the state of Kansas and No. 20 player in the nation by Perfect Game, and also competed in the 2017 and 2018 Junior National Showcase.
Scouting Report
According to Prospect Live.com, Moore is "...a switch-hitting bat with natural pull-side pop from both sides of the plate. He primarily manned second base thanks to Jalen Battles playing at shortstop, but all signs point to Moore moving to the other side of second base in 2022, where has the skills to be a very solid defender."