{ 2008 02 18 }

NFA Top Prospects - #10

Rank Hitters Pitchers
10 Ian Desmond John Lannan
11 Derek Norris Garrett Mock
12 Josh Whitesell Brad Peacock
13 Matt Whitney Brad Meyers
14 Garrett Guzman Jhonny Nunez
15 Roger Bernadina Zech Zinicola
16 Kory Casto Marco Estrada
17 Andrew Lefave Adrian Alaniz
18 Leonard Davis Cory VanAllen
19 Dani Arias Martin Beno
20 Bill Rhinehart Hassan Pena
21 Mark Gildea Yader Peralta
22 Aaron Seuss PJ Dean
23 Edgardo Baez Federico Tanco
24 Garrett Bass Jack Spradlin
25 Alejandro Hodge Marcos Frias
Francisco Soriano Juan Jaime
Yeurys Tejeda

My choice for the #10 hitter is likely to generate some debate. Ian Desmond was a 2004 3rd round draft pick by the Montreal Expos out of a Florida high school. Most people remember Desmond primarily from his performance in one game against the Orioles during the Nationals first spring training as Washington’s team. That was likely the worst thing that could have happened to him because he was immediately portrayed as “the next Derek Jeter.” Desmond is not the next Jeter, but he remains a prospect worth watching. He was rushed to Double-A in 2006 (184/221/232) which added to the delay in his development and it seemed to have lingered when he was demoted to Potomac part way through the 2006 season (244/313/384). He spent the entire 2007 season in the Carolina League where he started to turn the corner. After a slow start (239/339/380), he picked up in the second half (286/372/478). The biggest thing to look at for Desmond was his age in 2007, he was 21 which is right in line for expectations of the Carolina League. Scouts have commented that his plate discipline/pitch recognition improved significantly last season. But the strongest part of Desmond’s resume is his glove. He makes the spectacular play almost with ease. His challenge was always his focus on the routine play which also appeared to improve as the 2007 season wore on. He should be in Harrisburg in 2008 and if he can build on his strong second half, Desmond still has the opportunity to compete for the shortstop role in Washington in 2009 (when Cristian Guzman’s contract has expired).

John Lannan was the biggest surprise of the 2007 season. The 2005 11th round selection by the Nationals skyrocketed from Potomac to the majors in less than a season. The lefty is a finesse pitcher who relies on two fastballs, a change and a curve. He is never going to strike out a ton of hitters and will have to rely on his defense to help him. His ceiling is as a #4 starter but that should be just fine for the Nationals who are likely to give him every opportunity to compete for a spot in the big league rotation in 2008. I think he’ll be a victim of the numbers game and begin his 2008 in Triple-A Columbus.

Posted by Brian Oliver on Monday, February 18th, 2008, at 10:03 am, and filed under Players.

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