Washington Nationals Farm System Overview – 2010
Overview
Most Washington Nationals fans would be disappointed at the rate of progress their farm system has made over the past few years. The 2007 draft class had a couple gems (Derek Norris and Jordan Zimmerman), but didn’t quite reach expectations. Ross Detwiller looks like a decent middle of the rotation starter for the future, but you’d like to get more than that from the No. 6 pick in the draft.
Josh Smoker and John McGeary were big disappointments, while Michael Burgess has showed promise, but he’s going to fizzle out if he’s not able to adjust to better pitching.
The 2008 draft class was marred by the failure to sign first round pick Aaron Crow. They did manage to get a couple solid prospects in that draft, but no sure things.
It’s too early to make any prognostications about the 2009 draft class, but if Stephen Strasburg and Drew Storen do what they’re supposed to do, the draft class will be a huge success.
One issue that has delayed the growth of Washington’s farm system has been a mostly dormant presence in Latin America. The one big name they did lure — Esmailyn Gonzalez — turned into an embarrassment for the organization as it was revealed Gonzalez’ real name was Carlos Alvarez and his age was actually 23, not 19 as the Nats were originally lead to believe.
But now the Nationals are under new leadership with Mike Rizzo, who was promoted to GM after Jim Bowden’s resignation. And the selection of Strasburg looks to have started a new era of Nationals baseball. The team possesses the No. 1 pick in the 2010 draft and will have the capability to draft another impact type talent for the second year in a row.
Nationals Top-15 Prospects
Key Links1. Stephen Strasburg | RHP | Age – 21 | Grade – A
2. Derek Norris | C | Age – 21 | Grade – B+
3. Drew Storen | RHP | Age – 22 | Grade – B
4. Danny Espinosa | SS | Age – 23 | Grade – B/B-
5. Ian Desmond | SS/2b | Age – 24 | Grade – B-
6. Chris Marrero | 1b | Age – 21 | Grade – B-
7. Eury Perez | CF | Age – 19 | Grade – C+
8. Destin Hood | OF | Age – 20 | Grade – C+
9. Juan Jaime | RHP | Age – 22 | Grade – C+
10. Michael Burgess | RF | Age – 21 | Grade – C+
11. Jeff Kobernus | 2b | Age – 21 | Grade – C
12. Brad Meyers | RHP | Age – 24 | Grade – C
13. Aaron Thompson | LHP | Age – 23 | Grade – C
14. A.J. Morris | RHP | Age – 23 | Grade – C
15. Paul Demny | RHP | Age – 20 | Grade – C
› Prospect Primer (Grading Criteria Explained)
› Team Page Listings
› Index of 2010 Top-15 Prospect Lists
› Index of 2009 Top-15 Prospect Lists
Nationals Links
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