Top 10 Washington Nationals Prospects To Watch For 2010
Scouting Reports Provided by Jordan from NationalsProspects.com
2010 Outlook: Should get a shot to make the opening day Nationals roster.
Stephen Strasburg – SP
Strasburg is considered one of the top pitching prospects of all time. He was arguably the best college baseball pitcher in history and he didn’t slow down with his first opportunity in pro ball.
RC Card Spin: Strasburg’s cards are already on fire.
2008 Ultimate Collection USA Baseball Jersey Autographs #SS
Derek Norris – C
Norris has excellent power potential and if he can improve his defense he could be a star. He had a fantastic 2009 and was named the Nationals Minor League Player of the Year.Â
2010 Outlook: Will start the season in the minors. Should stay there all season.
RC Card Spin: This is a guy who will get a shot with the big league team at some point. Look to pick up an autograph.
2008 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Signature Turn of the Century #30 /744
Drew Storen – P
Storen zipped through 3 minor league levels in his pro debut, going all the way to Double-A Harrisburg. In 13.2 innings in the 2009 Arizona Fall League, he had 2 wins, 4 saves, a 0.66 ERA with a 1.39 WHIP, and 13 K’s. Read Full Scouting Report.
2010 Outlook: Probably will start the season in the minors but might crack the big league team by the end of 2010.
RC Card Spin: Storen won’t get as much hype as Stasburg, but could heat up quick if he out pitches him.
2009 TRISTAR Prospects Plus Autographs #9
Danny Espinosa – SS
Espinosa played very well in the AFL in 2009, batting .345, 1 HR, and 14 RBI. 15BB-20K. The BB/K ratio looks very good to me and demonstrates good plate discipline.Â
2010 Outlook: AA is most likely the starting point for Espinosa in 2010.
RC Card Spin: Not a whole lot of pop in Espinosa’s bat, so temper your expectations with his cards.
2008 Upper Deck USA National Team #USA5 Danny Espinosa
Chris Marrero – 1B
Chris Marrero seemed to have found himself in 2009. At High A Potomac he hit .287 with 119 hits and 21 doubles in 414 at bats. He mashed 16 home runs and had a respectable .824 On Base + Slugging %. He also drove in 65 runs and crossed the plate 58 times.Â
2010 Outlook: AAA as a start maybe? Could make it all the way up to the show if his defense and hitting continues to improve.
RC Card Spin: Marrero has a lot of nice cards already on the market, he has good HR power, he is a guy to watch.
2007 Bowman’s Best Prospects #BBP54 AUTO
Michael Burgess – OF
Excellent bat-speed which along with his big build, gives him that plus power. Most likely wont ever hit for much average. .270 is tops for him.
2010 Outlook: Minors. This kid has a lot to work on.
RC Card Spin: I am intrigued by this kid. I would look to find an nice autograph and stash it away.
2007 Donruss Elite Extra Edition #121 AUTO /672
Ian Desmond – SS
After hitting .251 at Double A Harrisburg in 2008, Desmond rebounded big in 2009 hitting .306 in 3 months. It resulted in a promotion to Triple A Syracuse. He did not disappoint and continued his hot streak by hitting .354 in 55 games.
2010 Outlook: AAA should be the start.
RC Card Spin: Ian seems to hit for a high ave. He should get a look with the Nats meaning his cards would pop.
Jeff Kobernus – 2B
Kobernus has a very good chance to develop into the Nationals’ #2 hitter. He hits for average, with some pop and gets on base. He is not the most polished bat that scouts look for but the potential is there.
2010 Outlook: Should begin 2010 in the Nats minor league system but could move up quickly if his bats stays hot.
RC Card Spin: Not much out there yet for Kobernus.
A.J. Morris – P
Has a loose, effortless delivery. Knows how to pound the bottom of the strike zone and keep the ball on the ground and in the park. Fields his position very well.Â
2010 Outlook: Might some day end up in the bullpen, but Morris will begin 2010 as a starter in the minors.
RC Card Spin: No cards yet for A.J.
Destin Hood – OF
Originally a SS in highschool, the Nats moved him to LF. Still has a long way to go defensively. Needs to improve his reads, routes and jumps.
2010 Outlook: WIll start the 2010 season in the minors.
RC Card Spin: Hood is a bit of a sleeper. He could develop and you’d better have his auto if that happens.
