What do you attribute the poor hitting this team and organization really has demonstrated this year?

Should a ‘world class’ player development plan include better instruction at all levels from hitting coaches. I know we need better at the MLB level but is this flaw also in the minor league systems?

In the minors, I’m not shocked by the results. There realistically only a handful of guys in the organization at each level who are future “prospects”. It’s going to take a few more years to eliminate the Nats overreliance on minor league free agents at all levels. There are too many players older than their level.

Thank you, I agree that the talent at the MLB level is very poor. SO…now the question is how this reality coexists with Stan’s latest comments about how the team is just missing a player or two in order to compete.

Stan could be a used car salesman without any problem of conscience that for sure. Other than Zim, Flores and Dukes…….what is Stan seeing? I do not see Milledge as the CF but maybe you do? Still that is a long way from having all the pieces needed right?

Here’s a best guess projection of the ‘10 or ‘11 lne-up for the true The Plan lovers out there;

1. Flores
2. Marrero (Potomac)
3. Bonifacio (Columbus)
4. Zimmerman
5. Gonzales (GCL)
6. Dukes
7. Milledge
8. Burgess (Hagertown)

SPs
1. Crow
2. Lannan
3. Balester
4. Zimmermann
5. Detwiler

It is an honest view and what I asked for even if it really calls in doubt what I was hoping for. In your view do the Nats know this reality? Or do they really feel they know much more than you and the scouts on 29 other MLB teams.

Does Stan understand just how far we really are away from the goal…….and if so is it fair to the fan base to mislead them so badly?

I like your lineup, although I can’t see Flores hitting 1st and Bonifacio hitting 3rd. I hope the team will sign at least one big free agent by then, as well. Having Smiley at the Major League level by then is exciting, but perhaps a stretch.

Elijah Dukes isn’t smart enough to stay in the Majors as he’s going to be a Milton Bradley-like player that has a lot of potential but ultimately can’t control his emotions and behavior in order to help his team. I bet JB would unload him today for a prospect.

Unless the Nats rely heavily on FA’s, there is going to be an offensive deficit in D.C. until at least the 2010/11 season. There is a real shortage of impact hitters in the organization.

I actually think he may have just been listing them. The positions don’t match.

But whatever, it is a fun exercise to think who would be up on the MLB roster by 2011.

I think Rhinehart, Desmond, Maxwell and Bernadina are all potential fill ins that could start before the Marrero, Gonzales and Burgess guys are ready. (Maybe Stephen King too if Bonifacio faulters).

We’ll also have to keep an eye on Eury Perez and Destin Hood amoung others who might pass our current top prospects if they develop faster than expected.

I’m surprised I didn’t get more comments on the SP too, having Crow and Detwiler starting (and Zimmermann) by 2010 seems optimistic to me, but I guess not more than Burgess and Marrero.

It’s unrealistic to think that at this current time there are more than three everyday players in the ENTIRE minor league organization. History and numbers and percentages will tell you that.

The best draft/development with the biggest impact on the Major’s over the past ten years was the Brewers from 2000 to 2003 and even with them, there’s only three guys on their major league roster that are playing daily and making a major impact. It’s very difficult to get from draft to the big leagues, no matter what organization and what player.

It’s great to be a fan but it’s even better to be a fan and be somewhat realistic.

1. Bernandina - CF (Not enough time at MLB level, takes time for most players to adjust, not sold on Milledge, he’s been in the Majors long enough to start producing.

2. Bonifacio - 2B (Good job trading pitching for hitting, that’s what we need to do. He’s ripping in AAA, let’s see what he’ll do in the Bigs?)

3. R. Zimmerman - 3B

4. Michael Burgess - RF (Having a good year in low-A, Power! Let’s see if he continues to develop).

5. Bill Rhinehart - 1B (See above) Bye-Bye Nick Jointnone!

6. Elijah Dukes - LF (Liked what I saw before he got injured, was really starting to produce).

7. Jesus Flores - C (Proven MLB player already)

8. Ian Desmond - SS (Starting to really hit now at AA, still only 22, already recognized as having major ready defensive sklls)

Starting Pitching - 1. Shawn Hill (If Healthy) 2. John Lannan (Look at ERA) 3. Jason Bergmann (Actual MLB performance, still relatively young) 4. C. Balester (looking decent in Bigs so far, still only 22-23) 5. Jordan Zimmerman (Good stuff - actually performing, moving up levels, etc.)

Can’t put Detwiler on this list based on what he has showed so far, same with Crow - might be another Detwiler? Other pitchers I like long-term - C. Willems, S. Martis, A. Alaniz, G. Mock, T. Clippard, etc. Whoever doesn’t start can end up in the pen. Sorry for the long post, just glad to rant and rave here.

Bonifacio 2b s 25/26
Milledge cf r mostly 26 - 4/03/85
Zimmerman 3b r mostly 26 - 9/28/84
Burgess rf l 22
Marrero 1b r 22/23
Dukes lf r 26/27
Flores c r 26
Espinosa ss s 23/24
p

p - A. Crow 24
R. Detwiler (hoping) l 25
C. Balester 24/25
J. Smoker l 22
J. Lannan l mostly 26 - 9/27/84

but I feel silly doing it since there are many drafts and many trade deadlines until then. Ages are included.

Rhinehart had 437 AB’s last season. 223 in college and 214 in Vermont …

OK, OK, maybe I was a little harsh on Dukes. What I would like to see is less gang-related behavior and trips to the DL and more production. I’m tired reading about “5-tool players with a big upside” whose big claim to fame is how much trash they talk.

I say Rhino gets a cup ‘o coffee….also hoping to see Bernadina back and Zimmermann, Wagner, Zinicola and Carr too.

Anyway, I never said he couldn’t make it just not ready for all that yet.

And as soon as he goes to the big leagues, his time clock starts running as he has to be put on the 40-man roster etc.

Signing Tex would go a long way at solving our hitting in the short AND long term, not to mention the PR homerun it would be in a series of PR whiffs.