We’re at the point in this list where most folks are going to be able to easily identify who’s left. At number three is bat that most folks would expect here and an arm that might surprise.
| Rank | Hitters | Pitchers |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Justin Maxwell | Josh Smoker |
| 4 | Jake Smolinski | Collin Balester |
| 5 | Mike Daniel | Colton Willems |
| 6 | Stephen Englund | Jack McGeary |
| 7 | Steve Souza | Tyler Clippard |
| 8 | Esmailyn Gonzalez | Shairon Martis |
| 9 | Stephen King | Adam Carr |
| 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 |
Justin Maxwell was the second player drafted by the Jim Bowden regime (Ryan Zimmerman being the first). Maxwell was selected out of the University of Maryland in the fourth round of the 2005 draft and made his major league debut at the end of the 2007 season. Maxwell has an intriguing mix of power and speed and more importantly for the Nationals, is a center fielder. The name most oftened offered up as a comparable is Mike Cameron. Of all of the players I have seen in person on this list, Maxwell is the one who “looks like a baseball player.” He is a big guy but not bulky. His movements are fluid. A myriad of injuries in college led to Maxwell sliding down most team’s draft boards. He hasn’t completely escaped the injury bug in his professional career, missing time for various minor injuries. The presence of Lastings Milledge and Elijah Dukes mean Maxwell will most likely start his 2007 season in Double-A Harrisburg, where he’ll face stronger pitching than he would in Triple-A. The Nationals abundance of right-handed outfielders are going to make it a challenge for Maxwell to get a chance in 2008.
Josh Smoker was selected with the first pick of the supplemental round of the 2007 draft (part of the compensation for losing Alfonso Soriano). The 19-year old lefthander has a low-90s fastball, an above average curve with bite, and a developing changeup. He has a very promising future and if he can develop along the lines the Nationals expect, Smoker has the ability to develop into a frontline starter, maybe not a #1 but definitely a strong #2. I believe the Nationals are going to challenge Smoker with an assignment in Hagerstown to start 2008.
Brandon | 28-Feb-08 at 8:58 am | Permalink
him being in major league camp reminds me of ian desmond
EdDC | 28-Feb-08 at 10:04 am | Permalink
Do the Nats have a potential #1 guy in their system? Usually that is reserved for a guy with a blowaway fastball, like mid-nineties with an occasional 97 or so tossed in there. Maybe Detwiler doesn’t even have that?
Brian Oliver | 28-Feb-08 at 10:22 am | Permalink
Honest answer? I don’t see a no-doubt #1 SP in the organization.
But keep in mind, there are not many out there across all of the minor leagues. By my count here is what I would classify as no-doubt #1 SPs
Clay Buchholz BOS
Clayton Kershaw LAD
Joba Chamberlain NYY
That’s it. The rest of the guys like David Price are potential #1s but still have some questions.
Bob Lowry | 28-Feb-08 at 12:35 pm | Permalink
Brian,
Would your rankings have been different if McCreary did not have the education provisions in his contract…which will mean missing opportunities to pitch before college lets out. and resumes.
Brian Oliver | 28-Feb-08 at 12:51 pm | Permalink
Yes, I might have bumped McGeary up if he was full time.
Mark | 28-Feb-08 at 1:20 pm | Permalink
Keep in mind that in the major leagues there are really only about 12-16 (depending on your criteria) legit #1 starters.
Phishisgr8 | 28-Feb-08 at 3:15 pm | Permalink
Well, Smoker threw well today, against guys “older than him”(Barry’s words). I hope you’re right, Brian, and they challenge him with the Double A assignment.
Chris | 28-Feb-08 at 3:29 pm | Permalink
Phishisgr8:
Thank Hagerstown (low A), not Harrisburg (AA).
Cole | 28-Feb-08 at 8:03 pm | Permalink
If Detwiler, Ballester, and Smoker (or your other top-two pitcher, who I seem to be missing at the moment) all develop into #2-type pitchers, is there really any need for a #1?
Louis J. | 28-Feb-08 at 9:02 pm | Permalink
Looks like Detwiler & Zimmermann are you top 2 pitchers with Marerro and Burgess as your top 2 hitters. Good list Brian. My two sleepers are Stephen King beating out E. Gonzalez at second base AND Brad Meyers making it to the ML as a starter.