Big lefty out of my neck of the woods (Mass). He was drafted in the 6th by the Nats due to signability issues because of a commitment to Stanford, but was considered a first round talent. Doesn’t overpower (88-92 mph fastball), but he shows good command and control of the zone. Very advanced pitching intellect for someone his age. Smooth and fluid delivery. Strong potential for his secondary offerings (curve & change).

He didn’t play at all in 2007, but he started 2008 in rookie ball for the GCL Nationals, posting a 3.16 ERA while compiling a 61/10 K/BB ratio in 51 1/3 innings.

One of my favorite sleepers in the minors (maybe a homer thing, but I still believe in this kid).

The only thing I can say is that it’s better than what showed up in 2005.

From the 2005 draft … there isn’t much left on the farm that hasn’t already made their debut (Zimmerman, Lannan, Maxwell, and Estrada). None of the rest of those guys (Daniel, Brown, Pahuta, Stammen, & Spradlin)

The 2006 draft has a bunch of younger guys who would have been draft eligible as collegians in 2009. Not sure how many of them would have been premium guys. Marrero is bouncing back from injury and seems a 1B/DH. Englund never got on track. The bat I still hold out hope for is Stephen King. As for arms, Willems seems to have stagnated. They turned Gibson into Dukes. VanAllen, Zinicola, & Carr all seem back of the bullpen options … at best.

From 2007 … Smolinski & Dean (along with Bonifacio) went for Willingham/Olsen. Burgess has some promise but those K numbers are scary. Not sure about Souza. Norris had a breakout year for Vermont but projecting catchers at that age is tough. Rhinehart started off 2008 strong but I’m not sure he’s anything better than a bench guy. They really need Detwiler to rebound after a lost 2008, but it’s no sure thing.Smoker pitched a whole year with a bad shoulder which was operated on in the off-season. Hopefully the Nats can get McGeary to commit full-time to baseball and not split it with Stanford. Alaniz is nothing special. Zimmermann might end up the best pick out of that draft.

The Nats are banking their 2008 draft on Hood & Nieto developing into solid regulars. Espinosa is a guy I like. None of the pitchers really enthrall.

From the international population … all of the full-season guys seem like bench guys or relief pitchers. Maybe Smiley Gonzalez or Marcos Frias from the complex league, but other than that I just don’t know. Their DSL teams were pretty old for the competition.

Is Clint Everts still alive?

I know the system is greatly improved, so he has no shot at the top 20.

Still, his numbers were pretty good if you ignore that he was 24 repeating a level (High A) he’s already been at 3 times.

The Rip Van Winkle of sleepers in the Nats’ system.

From 08 draft sleepers Hicks looks interesting, also Atwood has a chance to be another Alaniz (4/5). From what I’ve read JP Ramirez should easily be in the mix for top 20, and Juco 1B/OF John Higley could be a sleeper.

From 07 I like Rhinehart, he’s progressed nicely. Alaniz might have a chance to be a 4/5.

the Moose makes his retirement offical, a prospect retro?

the rest aren’t even close and aren’t worth a whole lot, Smoker could be good if he is healthy and McGeary possibly if he would focus on baseball, but this system is not looking up

…looks like the shambles the Orioles system was in about 8 or 9 years ago.

AAA catcher for Columbus. OK, not really a prospect, but I just had to hype the only professional baseball player I know personally.
His defense is probably major league ready, but his bat is AHEM not quite there????

I think he is a fairly overlooked prospect I really dont think the system is that bad…there are at least 8 or so worse. I hope it gets better because there AAA team is now in my town..

between AA/AAA .335/.400/.490 9 54 41 sb 101/47 k/bb ratio

Kind of a breakout season of sorts, toolsy guy, above average speed, superb athlete, plus defender in CF, strong arm, very accurate, decent raw power…hitability has been called into question and hasnt translated his power to use in games, gets under the ball to much, needs to use his speed…in the oylmpic qualifer for the neatherlands in 07 632/759/1.052…..has has solid OBP in the minors does K a bit to much (21 times in 76Ab in his brief call up this year)……..really a guy who had stagnated and had been sliding down the Nationals prosect radar but had a nice year…looks like probly a 4th OF guy maybe a fringe-average everyday player…….

really intrested to see if John has him in or near his top 10…..in a barren Nationals system he could crack the top 10 probly will get a chance to win a spot in spring training

He’ll be 25 next year, but he had a very solid 2007 across A/A+ ball, and had a 31/28 BB/K rate last year in AA before going down with a wrist injury and missing most of the season. He’s also doing pretty well in the Puerto Rican Winter League coming off the injury, with a .206/.364/.559 line and a solid 9/13 BB/K ratio.

Granted, OF is the area where the Nats actually have any sort of depth, but he looks like he might be ready to contribute to the big club (or serve as trade fodder).

Well, ok, he’s definitely in their top 10, but a .206 avg doesn’t scream “ready for the bigs” after losing the year in AA to injury.

I know this system is thin, but there’s nothing I’ve seen in his numbers that says he’s anything more than Sept callup fodder for 2009.

He has talent but his problem has always been staying healthy. I watched him in Harrisburg in 08 and he struggled at times. He hit .233 with 7 HR’s in 43 games at Harrisburg before the wrist injury.

My guess is he will start back at Double-A Harrisburg in 09.

Sickels had him ranked 4th last year, guessing he will still be in the top 10 on the new list.