Post-Season Top Five: Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals top five could have looked a whole lot different had they signed first-round pick Aaron Crow, arguably the best pitcher available in the year's draft. Instead, their top prospects run-down remains mostly the same as the pre-season list, with a few names switched around to keep things from getting stale.

In addition to the loss of Crow, two other losses re-shaped the way the Nats brass thought about their 2008 in terms of development: the losses of Chris Marrero to a broken leg and Justin Maxwell to a broken wrist. That said, here is the top five for the Washington Nationals organization 

1. Jordan Zimmerman, right-handed starting pitcher, A+ Potomac, AA Harrisburg

It's hard to believe that someone born six days before me can do so much more with his life. Zimmerman had a great year in 2007 at Vermont of the NY-Penn League, and followed up with a brilliant pit stop in Potomac in 2008 before ending the season at Double-A Harrisburg.

He was downright dominant winning three of his five games at Potomac, striking out 31 in 27.1 innings and finishing with a 1.65 ERA. The Nats saw enough promise in the 22 year old to send him to Harrisburg, where he spent the majority of the season. The 2007 second-round draft pick was just as effective at Double-A winning seven games in 20 starts.

Had he qualified for any stat categories he would have finished fifth in ERA and fourth in WHIP. He did, despite any lack of qualifications, finish 13th in strikeouts, a testament to his strikeout prowess.

Built with a solid pitcher's frame, Zimmerman has ace qualities including: an above average fastball, an average changeup, and a slider that made significance progress in '08. He wasn't thought of as a top of the rotation guy coming into 2008, but certainly is leaving it.

2. Michael Burgess, outfielder, A Hagerstown, A+ Potomac

Burgess still has some holes in his game, most notably in his swing (see: 162 strikeouts in 472 at-bats). At 19, however, he still has plenty of time to refine his game. He already has the power hitting part of the game down, as evidenced by his 26 home runs as a 19-year-old splitting time between A levels.

Burgess is the right fielder of the future of the Nationals and will most likely continue his path to the majors, making Potomac his home in 2009, but it will be key to see if he can reign in that power and learn to hit for average, cutting down the strikeouts a bit.

Clearly strikeouts aren't always a hindrance to major league performance, see Ryan Howard and Adam Dunn, but for Burgess to blossom into the type of player that the Nationals will need to establish themselves as a power in the NL East, he will have to become a complete hitter.

3. Ross Detwiler, left-handed starting pitcher, A+ Potomac

Detwiler, the class of the Nationals 2007 draft class, continued his standout play at Potomac in '08. Through 30 starts over the course of two years the 22-year-old lefty has showed he can dominate the Sally League. Detwiler brings wicked heat in the form of a 90-94 fastball and supplements that with a curve that is emerging into a average-above average pitch.

Throw in an average changeup, couple that with his outstanding poise and mound presence, and add a few pounds to his pitcher's frame and Detwiler has the makings of a No.1 or No.2 guy. He should get the bump to Harrisburg in '09 and provided he pitches well there he could be a late season call-up, but I would like to see him iron out his command issues (57 walks) while letting his progress dictate his standing.

4. Chris Marrero, first baseman-outfielder, A+ Potomac

Marrero is the class of the hitters in the Nationals' system. Which makes it even more of a shame that he missed half the season with a broken leg. The 19-year-old is one of the more polished hitters in the Nats system, despite his .250 average for the year.

He does tend to get a bit aggressive and swings at lots of pitches when slumping, but for the most part he has displayed an advanced hitters eye during his three years in the lower levels.

He should be ready for spring training and it will be interesting to see how the Nats brass play him, and where. He has shown the ability to play a decent outfield but many feel he has the makings of a first baseman down the line.

I tend to agree with those who argue that sentiment and I see Marrero capable of hitting for a decent average and power at the Major League level. He should start off at Double A, but it will be interesting to see where he finishes the season.

5. Collin Balester, right-handed starting pitcher, AAA Columbus

His struggles with the Nationals aside, Balester did everything the Nationals wanted him to in 2008. He dominated the International League, winning eight of his last ten starts before his call-up. Once there, however, Balester struggled to adjust to Major League hitters, finishing 3-7 in 15 starts with a 5.51 ERA. He stayed positive, though, and that will go a long way towards determining if he has the makings to stay in the Majors.

The Nats will give him every chance to prove his worth during Spring Training and he is the best bet to make the team from this list. Once he realizes that everyone gets shelled at first in the bigs, he'll settle down and become a fixture in this Nationals rotation.

The Best of the Rest (rounding out the top 10)

6. Justin Maxwell, outfielder, AA Harrisburg

7. Jack McGeary, left-handed starting pitcher, GCL Nats, NYPL Vermont

8. Roger Bernadina, outfielder, AA Harrisburg, AAA Columbus, MLB Nationals

9. Jake Smolinksi, outfielder, GCL Nats, NYPL Vermont, A Hagerstown

10. Garrett Mock, right-handed pitcher, AAA Columbus, MLB Nationals