​With the second pick of the Paul Toboni era, the Nationals selected another college bat in Chase Brunson. The TCU star brings a well-rounded profile, combining solid contact with power. While Brunson may not reach the ceiling of Hacopian, he is a dynamic athlete who could handle center field or become a standout at a corner spot. As the draft unfolds, we’re gaining clearer insight into this new regime’s philosophy: they prize college hitters who can make consistent contact while also providing respectable power. Both Hacopian and Brunson fit this mold.
Last season Brunson posted a .304 batting average with an OPS above 1.000 and ten homers, marking him as a productive path to the majors. Heading into the season, Sawyer Strosnider was the TCU outfielder drawing the most attention from scouts, but Brunson outperformed him and moved ahead on draft boards. Even though Strosnider possesses higher-end explosiveness, Brunson spent more time in center field for the Horned Frogs, which speaks to his defensive versatility and the coaches’ faith in his technique. Brunson brings average to slightly above-average tools across the board. No single attribute jumps off the page, but his overall balance helps everything come together.
Brunson’s contact rates and exit velocities sit well above average for collegiate players. His swing decisions could use some refinement, but the combination of contact ability and power is precisely the blend this new administration appears to value. Defensively, Brunson can hold down center field at a competent level, though there’s a reasonable chance a superior option exists. If he winds up in a corner, he could develop into a potential Gold Glover, but his value would hinge more on his bat if he isn’t patrolling center.
On the MLB Pipeline board, Brunson checked in at No. 50, while Baseball America pegged him at No. 47. Yet, Paul Toboni—a draft analyst who follows every nuance of the process closely—places Brunson much higher, rating him the 17th player on his personal board. He’s not alone in that assessment; other draft enthusiasts share Toboni’s favorable view of Brunson, underscoring the perception that his ceiling may be higher than the consensus rankings suggest.
Sure, I would have welcomed a pitcher with that pick, but Brunson isn’t a poor choice. The Nationals already have an established Major League outfield presence and a robust AAA depth chart; however, there isn’t a deep reserve of high-upside outfielders behind them. Brunson’s selection helps replenish that outfield depth below Triple-A, adding a reliable bat with obvious versatility.
Looking ahead, I hope the remainder of the draft tilts more toward pitching. Toboni did a commendable job uncovering value on the mound later in the draft with prospects like Connelly Early. If he can continue to unearth intriguing arms, the club could balance their selections and strengthen the system at multiple levels.
With both Hacopian and Brunson signed as college hitters who aren’t expected to be overslot selections, the Nationals still have genuine potential to surge in rounds three and four on the high school side. I’m keen to see what direction Paul Toboni takes next in his inaugural draft, and I’ll be watching closely to gauge how his strategy unfolds as the rest of this draft process progresses.