MOD: Nationals Team Needs (with poll)

Washington Nationals Mock Organizational Diary
MOD Scouting Director: Keith P. (a.k.a. "Mock Rizzo")

Biggest Needs:  CF, 1B, SS, 3B, SP

Could Use Improvement:  2B, RP

Not Much Need:  C, LF, RF

After completing this post, I expect to take a SP with the #6 overall pick. 
I hope to use the #23 and/or #34 overall pick to target a 1B, SS, 3B or CF.

CATCHER

Not a major need.  We will not take a catcher in the early rounds of this draft.

MLB Depth:  Wilson Ramos (23), Ivan Rodriguez (39)

Notable Prospects:  Jesus Flores (26), Derek Norris (22)

Organizational Depth:  Jhonatan Solano (25), Carlos Maldonado (32), Devin Ivany (28), Sandy Leon (22), David Freitas (22), Jeremy Mayo (23), Cole Leonida (22)

FIRST BASE

Putrid at the Major League level... Marrero could get a shot later in 2011.  There aren't many elite 1B prospects in this draft, but this is a position that the Nats need to replenish after losing Adam Dunn.  I may target a high-upside, power-hitting 1B (C.J. Cron, Ricky Oropesa, Aaron Westlake) with the #23 or #34 overall pick.  Otherwise, I may use the #96 overall pick on Preston Tucker, Kevin Cron or Dan Vogelbach.

MLB Depth:  Adam LaRoche (31), Mike Morse (29), Matt Stairs (43)

Notable Prospects:  Chris Marrero (22), Tyler Moore (24), Steven Souza (22)

Organizational Depth:  Brett Newsome (24), Mills Rogers (23)

SECOND BASE

There is room for improvement here, especially considering Cora's age and the fact that Espinosa could eventually move to shortstop.  However I believe Kobernus can be the team's future 2B, and so I do not plan on using a very early pick for a 2B prospect.  Ryan Wright is a polished hitter who I might target with a Round 4 or Round 5 pick.

MLB Depth:  Danny Espinosa (24), Alex Cora (35)

Notable Prospects:  Matt Antonelli (26), Jeff Kobernus (23)

Organizational Depth:  Seth Bynum (24), Stephen Lombardozzi (22), Cutter Dykstra (22), Adrian Sanchez (20)

SHORTSTOP

This all depends on how you view Ian Desmond, and whether you believe Danny Espinosa is destined to be a shortstop.  As an offensive player, Desmond is definitely a Top 15 shortstop... but he strikes out a ton and is a terrible defender.  I think the Nationals will need to replace him before they can be a playoff-caliber team.  Unfortunately, the 2011 Draft class is very weak at shortstop.  We know Mike Rizzo won't take Francisco Lindor at #6 overall because Lindor is a high-school prospect, but I would consider drafting Lindor if I actually ran the team.  It is also very unlikely the Nats will consider Javier Baez with the #23 or #34 pick.  The 2012 Draft is supposed to be loaded with better SS prospects, so I don't want to reach for an overrated SS in this draft.  If I do take a shortstop in the first 3-7 rounds, it will probably be Levi Michael, B.A. Vollmuth, Nick Ahmed, Joe Panik, Taylor Featherston or Brad Miller.

MLB Depth:  Ian Desmond (25), Alex Cora (35)

Notable Prospects:  Rick Hague (22), Jason Martinson (22)

Organizational Depth:  Chris McConnell (25), Josh R. Johnson (25), Jose Lozada (25), Francisco Soriano (24)

THIRD BASE

This job should be Zimmerman's for the next decade, but his injury history makes me nervous about whether he will break down at a young age.  After Zimmerman, the franchise is barren at the hot corner.  I considered rating Blake Kelso or Stephen King as notable prospects... but they really don't deserve that title.  For that reason, I will consider drafting a 3B with the potential to be playing at AA by mid-2012.  Cory Spangenberg, Ricky Oropesa, B.A. Vollmuth, Jason Esposito, Cody Asche or the local kid Steven Proscia could be good fits.

MLB Depth:  Ryan Zimmerman (26), Jerry Hairston Jr. (35)

Notable Prospects:  none

Organizational Depth:  Stephen King (23), Tug Hulett (28), Alex Valdez (26), Adam Fox (29), Tim Pahuta (28), Blake Kelso (22), Justin Bloxom (23), Justin Cuevas (22), Sean Nicol (22)

CENTER FIELD

Help needed!!  Personally I'd take Bubba Starling at #6 overall if he were available, but we know that Mike Rizzo will not draft a high-school prospect with that pick.  The Nats need help at this position ASAP, so I can guarantee you this:  If Mikie Mahtook is available at #23 overall, I will draft him.  Mahtook is an accomplished, versatile player who can play every outfield position and could be in the Majors by 2012.

MLB Depth:  Rick Ankiel (31), Roger Bernadina (27)

Notable Prospects:  Eury Perez (21)

Organizational Depth:  Corey Brown (25), Gregor Blanco (27), Jonathan Tucker (27), J.R. Higley (23), Chris Curran (23), Michael Taylor (20)

CORNER OUTFIELD

Jayson Werth and Laynce Nix are getting the job done for now, and Mike Morse can play OF again when Adam LaRoche returns or another 1B emerges.  In Harper, Ramirez and Hood, the Nats have a wealth of corner outfield talent on its way to the Majors.  Thus, there is really no need to spend an early draft pick on an outfielder unless he plays center field.

MLB Depth:  Jayson Werth (32), Laynce Nix (30), Brian Bixler (28)

Notable Prospects:  Bryce Harper (18), J.P. Ramirez (21), Destin Hood (21)

Organizational Depth:  Michael Aubrey (29), Jeff Frazier (28), Boomer Whiting (27), Jesus Valdez (26), Archie Gilber (27), Bill Rhinehart (26), Chris Rahl (27), Buck Coats (29), Randolph Oduber (22), Wade Moore (23)

STARTING PITCHER

There are some truly great young starting pitchers in this organization, but a team can always use more pitching.  For more details about which 2011 prospects fit the profile of a Mike Rizzo draft choice, check out our Recent Draft History.

MLB Depth:  Stephen Strasburg (22), Jordan Zimmermann (25), Livan Hernandez (36), Jason Marquis (32), John Lannan (26), Tom Gorzelanny (28)

Notable Prospects:  Tom Milone (24), Brad Meyers (25), A.J. Cole (19), Robbie Ray (19), Sammy Solis (22), Brad Peacock (23) 

Organizational Depth:  Yuniesky Maya (29), Ross Detwiler (25), Craig Stammen (27), Garrett Mock (28), Erik Davis (24), Ryan Tatusko (26), Shairon Martis (24), Luis Atilano (26), Tanner Roark (24), Paul Demny (21), Dan Rosenbaum (23), Trevor Holder (24), Mitchell Clegg (24), Cameron Selik (23), Marcos Frias (22), Evan Bronson (24), Matthew Grace (22), Bobby Hansen (21), Taylor Jordan (22), Chris McKenzie (21)

RELIEF PITCHER / CLOSER

2009 first-round pick Drew Storen has already become an elite closer and one of our most valuable assets.  There is no pressing need for another closer type, but the Nats do need more bullpen depth and could draft a relief prospect early, given the success they have experienced with Storen.  

MLB Depth:  Drew Storen (23), Henry Rodriguez (24), Tyler Clippard (26), Sean Burnett (28), Todd Coffee (30), Doug Slaten (31), Chad Gaudin (28)

Minor League Closers:  Cole Kimball (25), Adam Carr (27), Josh Wilkie (26), Patrick Lehman (24), Ryan Mattheus (27), Hassan Pena (26), Chris Manno (22), Ben Graham (23)

Organizational Depth:  Brian Broderick (24), Collin Balester (25), J.D. Martin (28), Lee Hyde (26), Matt Chico (28), Patrick McCoy (22), Cory VanAllen (26), Jimmy Barthmaier (27), Erik Arnesen (27), Carlos Martinez (27), Oliver Perez (29), Josh Smoker (22), Adam Olbrychowski (24), Rob Wort (22)

Related Articles: Washington Nationals Recent Draft History