Don’t they already have that in Jake Alu and without the roster spot.
I'm thinking that Alu, Kieboom, Vargas, and maybe something else should all compete for the spot. I wonder if Kieboom would be healthy, too. I'm assuming Alu gets kept, maybe ahead of Millas given the position depth.
FWIW, it looks like 3 MLB tools in terms of future value - hit, speed, D. current 45 hit, 60 speed, 50 field.
https://www.fangraphs.com/players/jonathan-ornelas/sa3006909/stats?position=SSa write up on him:
The 22-year-old Ornelas works almost exclusively to the opposite field, squaring up pitches up and away from him and spraying line drives into shallow center and right field. This is in stark contrast to early-career Ornelas’ batted ball profile, which was very pull-heavy and has slowly been trending toward his current distribution. Impressively, Ornelas has put about two balls in play for every time he has swung and missed so far this year, and he’s done that despite being a fairly aggressive hitter with a hole in the down-and-in part of the zone. Some of these issues will likely be exposed by big league pitching, and Ornelas probably won’t have the offensive output befitting an everyday player, but he brings so many other skills to the party that he’ll likely be a good utility man.
While he doesn’t have a traditional throwing style or left-side arm strength, Ornelas is a capable shortstop defender with above-average range and hands. He’s seen time all over the infield and has even played some center, though not really enough for anyone we’ve spoken with to have confidence in grading his defense out there. Clay Davenport’s minor league defensive metrics thought he was close to a neutral defender in 26 games last year. Ornelas is making a case for a 40-man spot after the season, but the Texas infield is clogged ahead of him (Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Ezequiel Duran, Nick Solak), around him (Josh Jung and Josh H. Smith are locks to be added this offseason, while Luisangel Acuna and Davis Wendzel are possibilities) and behind him (Justin Foscue is a 2023 add, and Maximo Acosta and Cody Freeman are also possibilities). Ornelas’ defensive versatility is what helps him stand apart from that group and gives him the best chance of holding down a big league roster spot in this org.
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/texas-rangers-top-50-prospects-2022/Honestly, I was looking for another 3rd base option, and he seemed the best on the MLB list. In terms of Rule 5 strategy, I don't know what makes the most sense - perhaps a pitcher off of TJ like Whitlock? An position player squeezed due to roster depth at his spot (like Millas or this guy)? A toolsy outfielder with a big hole (Wily Mo Pena type)?
I'd put the Nats needs as innings eating starter, corner OF, 3d or 2d base, in that order. I don't think you can get an innings eater out of Rule 5, so I was interested in the other spots, but could also see a "he throws hard, may as well give him a slot in the bullpen" guy.
