Nationals Are Getting Better Before Our Eyes.

The Washington Nationals are the team to look watch out for. Obviously not this year, and probably not the next. But for all you Phillies, Marlins, Mets, Braves, fans be very weary of the future of this team. Looking up and down the roster right now you might say—“What the hell is he talking about?” with guys like Adam Kennedy, Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, Livan Hernandez, Jason Marquis, and a few more well over 30.

Don’t let their 2010 starters fool you. This team, now lead by baseball guru John Riggleman, is bred for their future. Having the number one overall pick in the 2009 draft, they got the “most anticipated prospect of all-time,” Stephen Strasburg. They now have the 2010 first overall pick and have said they will get, Sports Illustrated acclaimed, Bryce “The Chosen One” Harper.

I personally have gone on the record saying this team has what it takes to be 3rd place in the NL East this year. Marlins don’t have the talent to contend other than their ace Josh Johnson and year after year MVP candidate Hanley Ramirez, but past that I don’t see anything higher than 4th.

The Mets are the Yankees of the NL with the payroll they use, but are the Orioles of the division. The Nats don’t only have the superstars at the hot-corners with Adam Dunn and young stud Ryan Zimmerman, but they also have role players with tons of leadership. The signing of “Pudge” was a genius move by the organization to hopefully help teach Harper next year how to be a MLB catcher.

I also have been heard voicing my opinion that the firing of Manny Acta, who is currently at the helm of the Cleveland Indians, was a bad move by the front office, Riggelman has been in the league almost his whole life and is a leader and knows the game better than the next guy.

Now for the youth: 

Ryan Zimmerman is 25, turning 26 at the end of the season, and is getting better! The 2009 season was a tough one for the Nats fans but for Zimm, he finished an All-Star, Gold Glove, and Silver Slugger award winner. He is the best third baseman in the National League, sorry David Wright, Mark Reynolds, and Aramis Ramirez…but its true.  If the Nats win a division in the next few years, or even come close, the MVP trophy spot on his shelf will be vacant.

Strasburg is going to be the real-deal people. He is a powerful righty, who throws high 90s and into triple-digits. He also has a mean slider that makes you buckle if you’re a lefty batter. Can you remember the last guy who stood tall on the mound, hit 100 mph, and had a slider that no one has ever seen before?

Hint: He just retired after being the last member of the 300-win club. The Big Unit! Coached by Tony Gwynn at San Diego St. University, this kid knows what it takes to be a professional. He will be helped out with a young repertoire of starting pitchers with Jordan Zimmerman, John Lannan, and Craig Stamen. I know he is, by far, the highest paid draft pick of all-time. It was worth it. Strasburg will have a career highlighted by milestones and awards, and hopefully for you Nats fans, rings.

Now to my favorite future player to play in the nations capital, Bryce Harper. I honestly could go one for days about this kid but I’ll spare you the time. He will be the best prospect since…well Stephen Strasburg.

Personally, I think he’s more valuable than Strasburg because he plays everyday and not once every five games. Born and raised in Las Vegas, Harper has already made a name for himself for avid sports fans. Two players, TWO, have ever been on the cover of Sports Illustrated with the headline saying, “The Chosen One.” First was the boy from Akron, LeBron James, and the second is his truly.

He is listed as catcher but can honestly play every position. When I say every position, I mean it. He heaves a 95 mph fastball off the mound and has been seen making web gems at 3rd and outfield. He has hit the longest HR in Tropicana Field (home of the Rays) history, with a metal bat nevertheless. He has a recorded 517 ft HR in his hometown in Vegas.

The one stat that amazed me the most out of all I’ve seen is he has tagged-up from second base on a pop fly in the outfield and scored, six times! The kid, no, child, will be a force to be reckoned with.

Guys like Ian Desmond, who is 24 and got 2010 opening day start at shortstop, Garrett Mock, another first rounder in '09 has a cannon as a reliever, and others that will be drafted with Harper and are playing now in the farm league will round out the future for this team.  Nationals fans, don’t lose hope so quickly, this team will win a division that’s not getting any younger sooner than you think.