Stock Up, Stock Down for Washington Nationals Top 10 Prospects for Week 4

The Washington Nationals were able to get a glimpse of their future this week when they were forced to call up Anthony Rendon to replace Ryan Zimmerman. 

Rendon had an interesting week, as did some other top prospects in the Nationals organization.

Some, like Nathan Karns, were coming off phenomenal performances last week while others, like Eury Perez, were looking to put last week in the past. 

How would Perez handle his return from the DL and how would Karns perform in his first two outings since striking out 13? 

Let's take a look at the Nationals' top 10 prospects from April 22-28.

All stats taken from MiLB.com and current as of 4/28/2013.

10. Tony Renda, 2B

Level: Class A (Hagerstown)

DOB: 1/24/1991 (Age: 22)

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: Second round, 2012 (California)

Tony Renda continues to pile up hits and runs for Hagerstown. This week, Renda collected seven hits and scored seven runs. He also stole two bags this week.

While the righty struggles against right-handed pitchers with a .247 average, Renda has scorched lefties for a .316 average.

Stock: Up

9. Eury Perez, CF

Level: Triple-A (Syracuse)

DOB: 5/30/1990 (Age: 22)

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: April, 2007 (Dominican Republic)

Eury Perez hit the DL on April 13 with a .355 average. This week, Perez returned to action as though he never missed any time at all.

Perez returned from his DL stint with a four-hit night on April 23 and collected 10 hits in the first five games of the week. Unfortunately, he finished the week on Sunday with an 0-for-5 effort.

After the disappointing last couple of weeks for Perez, this week proved that he is healthy and ready to play every day again.

Stock: Up

8. Sammy Solis, LHP

Level: Double-A (Harrisburg)—Rehabbing

DOB: 8/10/1988 (Age: 24)

Bats/Throws: R/L

Drafted/Signed: Second round, 2010 (San Diego)

As reported last week, Sammy Solis is continuing his rehab from Tommy John surgery.

Adam Kilgore of The Washington Post took note of Solis' improvement in March, tweeting:

"

Spent a little time in minor league camp today. Sammy Solis (Tommy John rehab) threw a 60-pitch bullpen. Nats see a big, big future for him.

— Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP) March 8, 2013

"

Stock: Even

7. Zach Walters, SS

Level: Triple-A (Syracuse)

DOB: 9/5/1989 (Age: 23)

Bats/Throws: S/R

Drafted/Signed: Ninth round, 2010 (San Diego)

Zach Walters remained hot this week, collecting at least one hit in every game except one. He continues to strikeout, however, and is still failing to take any walks. Over the last week, he struck out four times and did not walk at all.

Walters is currently hitting .247 at Triple-A Syracuse.

Stock: Up

6. Nathan Karns, P

Level: Double-A (Harrisburg)

DOB: 11/25/1987 (Age: 25)

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: 12th round, 2009 (Texas Tech)

Last week, Nathan Karns had one of the best weeks of any Nationals' prospect. After a 13-strikeout performance, how would he follow it up this week?

Karns pitched 5.2 innings while striking out five, walking three and allowing one run. Karns struggled slightly with control, but overall he avoided any major disaster after his masterful performance last week.

Stock: Even

5. Matt Skole, 1B, 3B, OF

Level: Double-A (Harrisburg) - DL

DOB: 7/30/1989 (Age: 23)

Bats/Throws: L/R

Drafted/Signed: Fifth round, 2011 (Georgia Tech)

The Nationals' minor league player of the year, Matt Skole, is on the shelf after he was injured when his non-throwing arm was hit by a runner two weeks ago. 

Geoff Morrow of pennlive.com, reports that Skole could begin swinging a bat in 3-4 months and is hopeful to see him return this season.

Stock: Even

4. A.J. Cole, SP

Level: Class A (Potomac)

DOB: 1/5/1992 (Age: 21)

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: Fourth round, 2010 (Oviedo HS, Fla.)

A.J. Cole started two games for Potomac this week and had some mixed results.

His start on April 23 only lasted three innings as he allowed seven hits, three runs (two earned) and struck out four. He rebounded nicely in his second outing, pitching six innings and allowing three runs while striking out seven and walking two.

It was certainly not the best week for Cole, but he continues to show signs of greatness for the Nationals.

Stock: Even

3. Lucas Giolito

Level: Rookie Gulf Coast League—Rehabbing

DOB: 7/14/1994 (Age: 18)

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: First round, 2012 (Harvard-Westlake HS, Calif.)

Lucas Giolito is recovering after having Tommy John surgery. The 18-year-old continues his rehab and should be a force for the organization once he is healthy and ready to pitch again.

Stock: Even

2. Brian Goodwin, OF

Level: Double-A (Harrisburg)

DOB: 11/2/1990 (Age: 22)

Bats/Throws: L/R

Drafted/Signed: First round, 2011

Brian Goodwin continues to hit in the minors, collecting seven hits this week, including a double and a home run. Unfortunately, Goodwin struck out an alarming 11 times this week bringing his season total to 30 in just 23 games.

Goodwin is going to have to exhibit a bit more restraint at the plate going into the rest of the season.

Stock: Down

1. Anthony Rendon, 3B

Level: MLB

DOB: 6/6/1990 (Age: 22)

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: First round, 2011 (Rice)

Anthony Rendon is being given a chance to exhibit his talents at the major league level with Ryan Zimmerman's stint on the DL. 

He collected his first hit in his second game on April 22 in the form of a double. This week, Rendon has hit .200 with one RBI, three walks and six strikeouts. He was given a couple of days off in the middle of the week after a slow start and responded by collecting a hit in each of the next two games.

As Zimmerman gets ready to return, Rendon is going to have to show more than just a .200 average if he wants to remain on the Nats' roster.

Stock: Even