September Call-Ups: Washington Nationals

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WASHINGTON - AUGUST 06: The Washington Nationals celebrate their 12-8 victory over the Florida Marlins at Nationals Park on August 6, 2009 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Ah, September. When teams out of the race begin playing guys who you've never heard of. Who were playing in AA last week. Who probably are one or two years away from being up in the majors full-time.

If you think I've missed anyone, leave me a comment.

This article is in no particular order. All players are from a list published on NatsFarm.com

C-Jesus Flores

NEW YORK - APRIL 26: Jesus Flores #3 of the Washington Nationals bats against the New York Mets on April 26, 2009 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Flores is currently on the 15-day disabled list. Flores has played in just 26 games for the Nationals this season, hitting .311 or 28 for 90. He had four home runs and 15 RBI before he stopped playing.

C-Luke Montz

VIERA, FL - FEBRUARY 21: Luke Montz #79 of the Washington Nationals poses during photo day at Roger Dean Stadium on February 21, 2009 in Viera, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

Montz is one of the Nationals top prospects. Montz is currently with AA Harrisburg of the Eastern League.

With Harrisburg, Montz has been hitting just .183 with Harrisburg and .172 with AAA Syracuse. He has eight home runs overall in the minors this season.

SS-Ian Desmond

VIERA, FL - MARCH 2: Infielder Ian Desmond #74 of the Washington Nationals fields against the New York Mets during MLB Spring Training action on March 2, 2005 at the Space Coast Stadium in Viera, Florida. The Washington Nationals defeated the Mets 5-3. (

Desmond is another top prospect for the Nationals, and is currently with AAA Syracuse.

Desmond was hitting .306 in 42 games with Harrisburg, and Desmond has been hitting .338 in 43 games since being called up to Syracuse.

Desmond could end up being a starter with the Nationals in as little as two seasons.

OF-Justin Maxwell

NEW YORK - APRIL 26: Justin Maxwell #30 of the Washington Nationals bats against the New York Mets on April 26, 2009 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Maxwell played 13 games up in Washington this season, getting three hits i 24 at bats, for an average of .125.

Maxwell has spent most of 2009 in AAA Syracuse, with an average of .245, with 13 home runs and 42 RBI.

P-Ross Detwiler

DENVER - JULY 08: Starting pitcher Ross Detwiler #48 of the Washington Nationals delivers against the Colorado Rockies during MLB action at Coors Field on July 8, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Detwiler is the potential future of the Nationals on the mound.

He went 0-3 with a 2.96 ERA in Harrisburg this year, before being called up to Syracuse where he went 2-2 with a 2.97 ERA.

Detwiler, however, was less successful in the MLB. He went 0-5 with a 6.40 ERA.

However, Detwiler remains one of the Nationals best prospects and should be an excellent starter down the road.

P-Shairon Martis

WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 17: Shairon Martis #51 of the Washington Nationals pitches against the New York Mets September 17, 2008 at Nationals Park in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Martis is yet another good, young pitcher for Washington. Martis has gone 3-4 in Syracuse with a 5.43 ERA. When he was called up to the Nationals, he went 5-3 with a 5.25 ERA.

Martis. Zimmermann. Detwiler. Names of pitchers to be reckoned with in the future.

P-Luis Atilano

VIERA, FL - FEBRUARY 21: Luis Atilano #64 of the Washington Nationals poses during photo day at Roger Dean Stadium on February 21, 2009 in Viera, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

Atilano has played for both Harrisburg and Syracuse in 2009. He went 7-8 with a 4.16 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP in Harrisburg.

Atilano pitched spectacularly in Syracuse, going 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA and a WHIP of 1.09.

Atilano should be in the majors full time by 2011.

P-Marco Estrada

VIERA, FL - FEBRUARY 21: Marco Estrada #74 of the Washington Nationals poses during photo day at Roger Dean Stadium on February 21, 2009 in Viera, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

Estrada is yet another good young pitcher that the Nationals have down in the minor leagues.

Down in Syracuse, Estrada went 8-4 with a 3.56 ERA with a WHIP of 1.21.

Estrada can also work out of the bullpen, leaving his future exceptionally bright with Washington.

P-Colin Balester

VIERA, FL - FEBRUARY 21: Colin Balester #49 of the Washington Nationals poses during photo day at Roger Dean Stadium on February 21, 2009 in Viera, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

Balester is another good, potentially great, pitcher in the Nationals' system. This season in the majors, Balester went 1-4 with a 6.82 ERA and a WHIP of 1.58. When Balester was with Syracuse, he went 7-9 for a 4.35 ERA with a WHIP of 1.52.

P-Matt Chico

PHILADELPHIA - MARCH 31: Matt chico #47 of the Washington Nationals throws a pitch during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Opening Day March 31, 2008 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

Chico, just like the pitchers before him, has the potential to be a good pitcher.

Chico is currently with Harrisburg, and has a 2-3 record with the Senators. He has an ERA of 3.95 and a WHIP of 1.54.

P-Ryan Mattheus

NEW YORK - JULY 13: Ryan Mattheus #47 of the Colorado Rockies playing for the United States Olympic Team pitches against the World Futures Team during the 2008 XM All-Star Futures Game at Yankee Stadium on July 13, 2008 in the Bronx borough of New York Ci

Mattheus is the future of the Nationals from the bullpen. Some scouts say that he has stuff to become a closer in the majors. Mattheus came over from the Colorado Rockies organization.

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