When the Nationals acquired Jorbit Vivas in exchange for Sean Paul Linan, I was a bit puzzled. The Nats already had a left handed utility infielder in Jose Tena, and giving up a real prospect like Linan felt like a lot for a fringe roster player. However, Vivas has proven me wrong so far and has been a valuable piece to the Nats lineup.
Vivas does not play everyday, but when he is in there, he provides value. So far this season, Vivas has posted 0.5 fWAR already. As of April 23rd, that was 7th among
third basemen. He was tied with established stars like Junior Caminero and Alex Bregman. Vivas’ game is not flashy, but he is a gritty ballplayer.
Jorbit Vivas is not a toolsy player really at all. His average exit velocity is 82.1 MPH, which is in the first percentile. Vivas is also not very fast, especially for a smaller player. He does not hit the ball hard, but Vivas makes a ton of contact and is a tough out. This season, Vivas is hitting .294 with a .394 on base percentage.
Most contact hitters like Vivas have a tendency to chase a lot, but he does not do that. His chase rate of 27.3% is better than average and his whiff rate of 14.9% is elite. I would not be surprised to see his chase rate improve going forward. In the minors, his chase rates were very low and even in his cup of coffee with the Yankees last year, his chase rate was just 18%.
That combination of contact and plate discipline is what the Nationals saw when they acquired Vivas. Blake Butera even said as much in his presser when Vivas was acquired. He liked that he was a left handed bat that gets on base a lot.
However, offense is not the only way Vivas is contributing. He has been a very solid glove at both third base and second base. While Vivas does not have elite range or an elite arm, he is smooth and knows what he is doing. That has led to Vivas compiling 2 outs above average already.
If Vivas can defend like this, I would want him to have more of an everyday role as a second baseman. Nasim Nunez may be a better defender, but Vivas is still solid with the glove and is a much better bat than Nunez. At the very least, Vivas should be in the lineup whenever a righty is on the mound.
He is such a scrappy player who does whatever it takes to get on base. Whether that is a hit, a walk or a hit by pitch, Vivas will do it. Vivas has already gotten hit by four pitches this year. For a player without much power, finding any way necessary to get on base is important.
I was a Vivas skeptic when he was acquired, but he is proving me wrong. The gritty Venezuelan has 0.5 WAR and a 117 wRC+. That is super impactful for a guy who does not play everyday. If Vivas can finish the season as a league average hitter who posts about 1.5 WAR, that would be an amazing accomplishment.
Not everyone on the roster needs to be a star. You need guys who are quality role players who do the little things well. Jorbit Vivas absolutely fits that description, and it makes him fun to watch. He is not a guy with a ton of god given talent relative to other major leaguers. However, he is such a smart and skilled player that he makes it work.
