Nationals Top 10 Prospects by Baseball America

Last week Baseball America released their list of the 2010 Nationals Top 10 Prospects. Included is my review of the top 10, who should have been in the top 10 and who from the top 10 might start the 2010 season in Harrisburg. Also included is BA's ranking of the Nat's players with the "Top Tools" and the Nat's Projected lineup for the 2013 season.

Nationals Top 10 Prospects
1.) Stephen Strasburg (RHP)
2.) Derek Norris (C)
3.) Drew Storen (RHP) *
4.) Ian Desmond (SS) *
5.) Danny Espinosa (SS)
6.) Chris Marrero (1B) *
7.) Jeff Kobernus (2B)
8.) Justin Maxwell (OF) *
9.) Michael Burgess (OF)
10.) Destin Hood (OF)
*-Played for Senators

No real surprise that Strasburg tops the list. Norris had a decent 09 season with low-A Hagerstown batting .286 with 23 HR’s and 84 RBI’s. Storen’s rise through the minors is reminisant of Zinicola’s 2006 season; both ended up near the top of BA prospect list, noted as have the best slider in the system and pegged as the Nat’s closer of the future; looking forward to see how Storen responds in 2010.

Two surprises in the top 10 for me are Jeff Kobernus and Justin Maxwell. Kobernus was selected in the 2nd round of the 2009 draft and has only played 10 games at short-season Vermont. Baseball America called him "athletic," "projectable" and "one of the most versatile players in the nation" but with only a few games under his belt I think he is ranked to high. In my opinion Maxwell is a serviceable 4th outfielder who has been injured to often and has not rebound very well (production wise) from his 2008 injury to be ranked 8th. I like Maxwell and Kobernus but with pitching prospects like Josh Wilkie, Aaron Thompson, or Brad Myers.

Who from the Top 10 do I think will start the 2010season in Harrisburg? I’m going out on a limb and saying that Strasburg should start the season in Harrisburg; just image opening day in the new stadium and Strasburg on the mound. After spending the entire 09 season at High-A Potomac, Danny Espinosa should be the Sens starting SS/2B; currently batting .329 in the AFL. Marrero is hitting .338 with 3 HR’s and 18 RBI’s in the AFL but only played in 23 games with Harrisburg last season. My guess is he will return to Harrisburg in 2010. Burgess played the entire 09 season at Potomac but struggled hitting, probably should return to Potomac to work on his approach at the plate with a possible mid-season promotion to Harrisburg

Here is the Rest of Baseball America’s projections.

Best Tools
Best hitter for average: Derek Norris
Best Power Hitter: Derek Norris
Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Derek Norris
Fastest Baserunner: Roger Bernadina*
Best Athlete: Justin Maxwell *
Best FastBall: Stephen Strasburg
Best Curveball: Stephen Strasburg
Best Slider: Drew Storen*
Best Changeup: Josh Wilkie *
Best Control: Stephen Strasburg
Best Defensive Catcher: Sandy Leon
Best Defensive Infielder: Danny Espinosa
Best Infield Arm: Ian Desmond *
Best Defensive Outfielder: Roger Bernadina*
Best Outfield Arm: Michael Burgess
*-Played for Senators

Projected 2013 Lineup
Catcher: Derek Norris
First Base: Chris Marrero *
Second Base: Danny Espinosa
Third Base: Ryan Zimmerman *
Shortstop: Ian Desmond *
LF: Josh Willingham
CF: Nyjer Morgan
RF: Adam Dunn
#1 Starter: Stephen Strasburg
#2 Starter: Jordan Zimmermann *
#3 Starter: Ross Detwiler *
#4 Starter: John Lannan *
#5 Starter: Collin Balester *
Closer: Drew Storen *
*-Played for Senators