WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- MLB Pipeline released Washington’s Top 30 Prospects list on Tuesday and for the third consecutive season, Victor Robles was at the top of the list.

For at least that long, Robles’ name has been one of the hottest topics around the Nationals, either for the numerous teams who inquired about trading for him or in anticipation of his arrival in the outfield at Nationals Park. Robles, whom MLB Pipeline ranks as the No. 4 overall prospect in baseball, would have had his grand opportunity one year ago, but a hyperextended left elbow derailed his 2018 season before it ever really got started.

Now Robles is preparing for his first full season in the Majors, slated as the Nats' everyday center fielder. After so much hype for so many years, Robles' potential for this rookie season seems almost limitless.

“I think it’s his time,” hitting coach Kevin Long said. “I think he’s put in a lot of hard work to get to this point and as long as he doesn’t put added pressure on himself, he’s going to be fine.”

The Nationals want Robles to avoid pressuring himself to match the historic rookie season from Juan Soto, who finished second for the National League Rookie of the Year Award behind Atlanta’s Ronald Acuna Jr. It was Robles’ injury that paved the way for his friend Soto to make the jump to the Majors.

“It was very impressive, without a doubt,” Robles said through an interpreter. “I think anyone would like to have a season like that. All I can do is be supportive and admire the great season he had. Hopefully, something will come about in that same regard for me this season.”

Technically, the Nationals say center field is an open competition between Robles and Michael A. Taylor, but Robles will almost certainly be the starter. Taylor will likely get regular at-bats and be used as a defensive replacement in the outfield, but the Nats do not want Robles to sit on the bench. They are ready to see what he can do.

• Taylor recovering from hip, oblique knocks

Washington has gotten brief glimpses of Robles’ five-tool potential during his two brief stints in the Majors as a September callup. In 34 career games, he has a slash line of .277/.337/.506 with three home runs and three stolen bases and a few highlight-reel catches in center field. He has not looked overmatched by big league pitching at the plate, with the power to make pitchers pay for mistakes. His speed is elite, and his glove and arm are strong enough that the Nats believe he will be an excellent defender.

Robles is likely to hit in the bottom half of the Nationals' lineup and manager Dave Martinez even toyed with the idea of batting him ninth this week as a de facto second leadoff hitter. In a potentially loaded lineup from top to bottom, the Nats should not have to rely on Robles for too much at the plate, just one more way they hope to alleviate the pressure on him entering this much-anticipated rookie season.

“I don’t add that extra pressure on me,” Robles said. “I feel like if I do, it’s going to change the way I play. I just know what I can do, and I’m here to do what I can do. Play my game and let everything else take care of itself. That’s what I want. I want to be part of the big league team, but I’m not going to add any extra pressure to that.”