Washington D.C. - Yesterday marked the start of the 2025 International signing period, a significant milestone for Victor Rodriguez, the Washington Nationals International Scouting Director, as it marked his first time evaluating and being responsible for the new crop of prospects.

Rodriguez discussed his team's approach to the international signing period with reporters, emphasizing the importance of identifying players with strong hitting abilities and the character traits necessary for success.

"It was to add as much value as possible to the organization," Rodriguez stated when asked about his primary objective. "Guys with tools can play in the middle of the field. And at the end of the day, they can provide offensive value."

Rodriguez expressed excitement about the signing of Brayan Cortesia, a shortstop with "five-tool potential." He emphasized Cortesia's athleticism and raw talent: "Pretty much all the tools across the board are above average with a chance to hit and hit for power."

Reflecting on his first signing period as the head of international scouting, Rodriguez acknowledged the increased responsibility but emphasized the valuable experience gained from working with other successful organizations. He highlighted the importance of maintaining a simple approach to player evaluation, stating, "We try to keep it as simple as possible. Don't ignore the obvious here. The big leaguers stick out, hitters stick out, guys that throw strikes."

Rodriguez also discussed the development of Daniel Hernandez, who recently transitioned to catcher. "What separates him is makeup," Rodriguez explained. "But what really separates him is his bat." He emphasized Hernandez's strong bat and the importance of possessing the right mentality and leadership qualities to transition to the demanding catcher position successfully.

Rodriguez emphasized the importance of continuous learning and improvement within the Nationals scouting department. "The way you improve is by being open-minded, including different processes," he said. "There's always so much information out there."

Rodriguez emphasized the importance of early identification and evaluation, highlighting the extensive scouting efforts that led to the signings of both Brayan Cortesia and Daniel Hernandez. He praised the work of his scouting team, emphasizing their dedication, collaborative spirit, and willingness to go the extra mile.

When asked about the specific skills that make Cortesia a valuable prospect, Rodriguez highlighted his speed, stating, "Overall, foot speed is crucial to the entire offensive game. At the end of the day, you can't steal first, but we believe that the run tool can lead to some extra bases, be a threat on the base paths, and be a guy that can impact all aspects of the offensive side."

Rodriguez also discussed the potential of other signees, such as Ronny Bello and Juan Indriago, emphasizing the importance of the hit tool and recognizing the significant contributions of Indriago to the scouting department.

Finally, Rodriguez addressed the importance of player development and character development within the organization. He emphasized the importance of nurturing leadership qualities and fostering a strong work ethic within the academy system, stating, "All that starts from here. We have our guys in the academy that don't just work on the toolset on the field, and they work on them; they identify who the guys off the field are and put them in situations to succeed and potentially lead others."

Rodriguez concluded by emphasizing the importance of the hit tool as the most crucial skill for success in baseball, stating, "It's the hardest thing to do in sports, man. It's something that you are born with." He also reiterated the importance of character, leadership, and a strong work ethic in developing young players."

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