Carlos

Tocci

Tocci signed a minor league contract with Washington over the winter and went on to slash just .200/.273/.258 with one home run in 50 games (132 plate appearances) between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester.

Of the 10 reassignments, the only surprise is Parra, who looked like he might’ve had a shot to break camp on the big-league roster as a reserve outfielder. Yet, the Nationals decided to go with versatile utilityman Hernan Perez instead.

The Rangers carried Tocci as a Rule 5 pick for the duration of the 2018 season, and he was one of the AL’s worst players, hitting .225/.271/.283 in 135 plate appearances. He wasn’t much better in Triple-A last season, so he was removed from the 40-man roster in July and released a week later. He’ll be Triple-A depth for the Nationals.

Tocci had been sent outright to Triple-A Nashville last week, but has now been granted his unconditional release. The 23-year-old outfielder hit .225/.271/.283 with a 39/7 K/BB ratio in 135 plate appearances with the Rangers last season. He’s now free to explore other opportunities elsewhere.

Tocci had been designated for assignment but has cleared waivers and will remain in the organization.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Rafael Montero. Tocci was carried on the roster all season last year as a Rule 5 pick, but he really struggled offensively and hasn’t hit this year at Triple-A, either. It’s possible he’ll pass through waivers.

Tocci stuck on the roster all of last season as a Rule 5 pick, but the Rangers are able to send him back to the minors now without losing him and are taking advantage.

The 19-year-old center fielder is moving up a level after batting .321/.387/.423 with 18 extra-base hits and 14 steals in 59 games for Lakewood. Tocci is probably thrilled to be out of the South Atlantic League, where he posted a .246/.330/.299 batting line in 1,258 plate appearances (302 games) over parts of the last three seasons. Signed as a 16-year-old in 2012 out of Venezuela, Tocci has always required considerable projection given his age, lack of physical strength and the fact he’s received perennially aggressive assignments from the Phillies. Therefore, it’s not particularly concerning that it took him 2 1/2 seasons to master the South Atlantic League.

It was Tocci’s second consecutive three-hit night, and he has gone 11-for-19 over his past four games. Tocci has only hit two extra base hits in 2014 (both doubles), has yet to take a walk, and has struck out 14 times in 13 games. He is spending his second season in Lakewood, but he is the same age as many high school seniors.

The 18-year old Tocci was hitting .234/.287/.294 at the end of June, but has been on fire in July, hitting .362/.400/.532 with six doubles and one triple to raise his season line to .252/.303/.327. He has hits in 12 of his last 13 games. Tocci has the potential to be an elite outfielder, but his present lack of strength is his primary issue. If he can get stronger and hit for more power, he could reach his ceiling.