Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run: 70 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 40

Known to swing big on center fielders in recent years, the Nationals used $4.925 million of their $5,179,700 international signing pool in 2022 to bring in Vaquero, a Cuba native who moved to the Dominican Republic before signing. He learned how to switch-hit in his second country and has been relatively solid in his two years of pro ball, first in the Dominican Summer League and then split between the Florida Complex League and Single-A Fredericksburg last season. He hit .279/.410/.393 with one homer, 15 steals and a 118 wRC+ over 42 games in the FCL before his late-August promotion to full-season ball.

Standing at a listed 6-foot-3, 180 pounds, Vaquero still sticks out more for his projection and potential than current production. The son of an Olympic swimmer mother and judo-fighting father, Vaquero is a true plus-plus runner who should constantly give pitchers and catchers something to think about on the basepaths. His wheels also serve him well in center, and he has enough arm strength for right, where he played mostly in Fredericksburg because of the presence of Elijah Green. There’s still plenty of room for him to fill out as well, so while he’s managed only two homers to this point, Vaquero still projects for above-average power as he matures.

It'll take some offensive development to get there, however, on top of the physical. Vaquero remains more advanced from the left side (where he has a more open stance) as he acclimates to switch-hitting; he struck out in 40 percent of his right-handed plate appearances over a relatively small 2023 sample. He shows continued patience at the dish though, and as he returns to the Carolina League for his age-19 season, the Nats will continue to exhibit their own patience in his ascent.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 70 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50

The Nationals had $5,179,700 in their international signing pool for the 2022 period and used $4,925,000 on Vaquero alone, making him the highest signee in his class. The Cuba native had moved to the Dominican Republic, where he picked up switch-hitting before signing, and stayed in the DR for his first taste of the Minors, hitting .256/.379/.341 with nine extra-base hits and 17 steals in 55 games in the Dominican Summer League.

Vaquero’s mother was an Olympic swimmer and his father a judo fighter, and it’s clear the 18-year-old picked up their athletic genes. He’s already a plus-plus runner, and the Nats leaned into that by placing him exclusively in center field in the DSL. His arm should work in center as well. However, Vaquero didn’t show a ton of power at the Minors’ lowest level, in part because he hit a plurality of balls on the ground, and the pop he did exhibit came from his natural left-handed side (slugging .358 there compared to .250 as a righty) as he continues to get comfortable as a switch-hitter.

Listed at 6-foot-3, 180 pounds entering 2023, Vaquero has plenty of projection remaining to get to his at least above-average power potential, and his overall approach, in which he walked nearly as much as he struck out, adds to that promise. He’ll still only be 18 for much of his first summer playing stateside, where he’ll pick up the at-bats to develop into a potential star up-the-middle talent.

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 65 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50

A native of Cuba, Vaquero comes from an athletic family -- his mother is an Olympic swimmer and his father is a competitor in judo. He moved to the Dominican Republic and learned to switch-hit there before becoming eligible for the latest international signing window. The Nats spent $4,925,000 of their $5,179,700 signing pool to add MLB Pipeline’s No. 2 international prospect to their potential farm-system rebuild in January.

Vaquero, who turned 17 last September, is as skilled as Washington’s heavy investment would indicate. He has true five-tool potential, starting with plus speed that should translate well to the basepaths and center field in the pro game. Those wheels stand out all the more given Vaquero’s size at 6-foot-3. As he grows even more into that frame, true plus power at the plate should be possible as well. His move to switch-hitting has improved his pitch recognition, but he’ll need more time to prove he’s just as capable of hitting from the right side as he is from his more natural side on the left.

Vaquero has the potential to be the face of the Nationals farm system for a long time. It’s worth remembering that he’s still the age of an American high-schooler as he begins his Minor League career, and he may need some developmental space to get his many tools in line, as most teenagers do. If it all clicks, he could be the organization’s biggest international success story since Juan Soto.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 65 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 55

A potential five-tool player with lots of potential, Vaquero is one of the most dynamic international prospects on the market. He’s also one of the most athletic.

Vaquero was originally a left-handed hitter, but he learned to switch hit once he left Cuba, which has resulted in improved pitch recognition and more confidence at the plate. At 6-foot-3 and close to 190 pounds, he is a physical specimen with tons of raw strength and power. He can really cover ground in center field, shows a strong arm and has a chance to be a plus defender at the position. He plays hard with lots of energy and shows tons of natural instinct in practice and in games. 

Consider this: If Vaquero was in the US, he would be a high school sophomore and on track to be a top five pick in the Draft in a couple of years.

Originally from Cuba, both of Vaquero’s parents were athletes on the island. He has been working out in the Dominican Republic with trainer Javier Rodriguez, a member of MLB’s Trainer Partnership Program. The Nationals are the favorite to sign him.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/07/2024	Washington Nationals Prospects activated OF Cristhian Vaquero.
	02/28/2024	OF Cristhian Vaquero assigned to Washington Nationals.
	08/22/2023	OF Cristhian Vaquero assigned to Fredericksburg Nationals from FCL Nationals.
	08/22/2023	Fredericksburg Nationals activated OF Cristhian Vaquero.
	06/05/2023	OF Cristhian Vaquero assigned to FCL Nationals.
	03/23/2023	OF Cristhian Vaquero and assigned to Washington Nationals.
	03/22/2022	DSL Nationals activated OF Cristhian Vaquero.
	03/22/2022	OF Cristhian Vaquero assigned to DSL Nationals.
	01/15/2022	Washington Nationals signed free agent OF Cristhian Vaquero to a minor league contract.