Nationals early camp prospect capsule: Outfielders

Nationals coordinator of instruction Gary Cathcart is working two camps a day at spring training - the early camp filled with prospects and the major league camp. During the regular season, Cathcart roves the minor league system working with players and coaching them up. In June, he will again manage the short-season Single-A Auburn Doubledays. Several of the players he had on that squad last season are on the early camp roster this season. In my next series of blogs, I will break down previews of some of these select prospects by position as they go through spring training. The first early camp game is at the Astros on March 12. The rain has slowed the work a bit, but has not affected the overall game schedule. "We've still got 12 days for them. I think they are getting two live batting practice sessions," Cathcart said. "Probably one more side and two more live batting practice sessions before (March 12)." Here is a capsule of three of the outfielders on the early camp roster. Part One: Outfielders Dale Carey Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 185 lbs. Bats: Right Throws: Right Age: 23 Born: Marietta, Ga. 2014 club: Auburn Drafted: Seventh round, 2014 College: Miami Cathcart: "Carey was our center fielder most of the year. Reminds a lot of guys physically of Adam Jones. Made a lot of progress just like we hoped. By the end of the year and in instructional league, looked so much different than he did when he first got there, which is to be expected, but interesting kid. Played a real good center field once we got him in (Nationals outfield/baserunning coordinator) Gary Thurman's outfield program and how we want things done. He played a really good center field." Carey hit .248 in 47 games, with eight doubles, three homers, six stolen bases and 18 RBIs with Auburn. Jeff Gardner Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 210 lbs. Bats: Left Throws: Right Age: 23 Born: Louisville, Ky. 2014 club: Auburn College: Louisville Cathcart: "Gardner is a big, left-handed hitting corner outfielder. (We were) thinking he would be one of our better offensive players based on what he did in college. But like a lot of guys, had some struggles, much better at the end. I know he is working hard on finding a consistent approach. But a big, strong left-handed kid so you know when he gets it put together, you've got a chance to put up some pretty good numbers." Gardner hit .206 for the season, but cranked it up to .371 as he surged the last 10 games. Victor Robles Height: 6-foot Weight: 185 lbs. Bats: Right Throws: Right Age: 17 Born: Santo Domingo Este, Dominican Republic 2014 club: DSL Nationals Cathcart: "Just look at him, you can't believe he's 17. He'd be a high school junior this year. I can't imagine him playing against high school competition. You look at him and you put him in next year's draft, 2016, you can't help but be a first rounder. He's got everything he needs. We'll see how he develops, we'll put the programs in place (for him). But he has everything he needs, no question about that." Robles hit .313 in 47 games for the DSL Nationals, with 14 doubles, three triples, four homers, 22 stolen bases, 46 runs and 25 RBIs. His on-base percentage was .408.