Nationals Call Up 19-Year-Old Juan Soto

Nationals call up 19-year-old outfielder Juan Soto, who is the youngest player in the majors

The Washington Nationals promoted 19-year-old Juan Soto from the minors on Sunday.

Soto, an outfielder, had his contract selected from Double-A Harrisburg before Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team designated outfielder Moises Sierra for assignment to make room for Soto.

Soto is the youngest person on a major league roster and doesn't turn 20 until Oct. 25. He struck out swinging in his first plate appearance in the eighth inning. 

Youngest players in @MLB:#Nats J. Soto 10/25/98#Braves R. Acuña 12/18/97#Braves O. Albies 1/7/97#Yankees G. Torres 12/13/96#RedSox R. Devers 10/24/96#STLCards J. Hicks 9/6/96#Braves L. Gohara 7/31/96#Brewers F. Peralta 6/4/96#BlueJays Ureña 2/26/96#Mets Rosario 11/20/95

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 20, 2018

Soto had not spent much time in the minor leagues, starting at Class A Hagerstown and ending up at Double A Harrisburg in a matter of weeks.

He was hitting .362 with 14 home runs and 52 RBIs during his stint in the minor leagues this season.

The need for depth accelerated when Howie Kendrick was lost for the season after rupturing his Achilles while making a play in left field during a doubleheader against the Dodgers.