I just returned from Spring Training and I must say your assessment and Baseball Prospectus’ outlook on the Nats organization is right on, if Ian Desmond is the best middle infield prospect we have, we are in a world of hurt in the future!! Although I would say that with Flores being a catcher of the future (one who could start for 8-10 years horepfully) we can bring the Johnathan Solano’s and Derek Norris’ of the world along slowly.

Building up the system is all about stocking. Middle infielders and of course more pitching. At least one new top-line young prospect at catcher would be helpful. As Brian says, you can’t do everything all at once, and it is great to see the stocking of pitchers and outfielders so far.

I think he will be a good need and value fit for the Nats at #9

Report from Spring Training:
1. The wind is always a factor, usually blowing in (we golfers would say a “2-3 club wind’)
2. Nick Johnson looks terrific… lost weight and added muscle, legged out a double (sliding) on Monday but his timing is still off (hitting), a little slow moving to his left defensively. His foot speed on the bases is still the same with no sign of a limp. He looks concerned about his hitting and timing.
3. Josh Whitesell is a Nick Johnson clone..same size, same plate discipline, same foot speed and same timing problem w/ hitting.
4. Dukes likes great and Kearns doesn’t… Dukes hits everything hard, even ground ball outs (REMINDS ME OF RICHIE/DICK ALLEN).
5. Matt Whitney has promise with a bat but Garrett Guzman needs to show more power to stay (he looks so small next to Dukes, Kearns & Wily Mo)
6. Lopez is still “messed up” offensively and defensively. Desmond’s move to the major league camp could be a attempt to find someone in house who could backup at shortstop if they unload Lopez or they have to find a backup somewhere else. I don’t see Lopez staying if his problems continue.
7.Milledge is okay but Wily Mo looked confused in LF
8. The only named catcher working is Flores who looks the same as 2007.
9.The Nats have tried Bret Boone, Lenny Harris & Pete Orr at 2B … all have looked okay (offensively/defensively) BUT there is no current alternative to Guzman at SS, as yet.
10. And, Zimmerman looks in mid-season form defensively.

Next report, pitchers…..

Most of the pitchers I saw were minor league free agents and none are worth talking about. Chico started on Tuesday and the wind affected his pitches. He still is a 50-50 chance of making the 25 man roster. Ayala, Rauch, King and Cordero looked in mid-season form. Tristan Crawford has a live fast ball and was challenging the heart of the Cardinal lineup with very good success. While Balester lost the Dodgers game, his fastball was hopping and he had a very good breaking ball which he was throwing in 3-2 counts. He needs a third pitch that breaks down (different plane than his curve). But I liked what I saw and so will the fans.