A Brief History Of The Nationals Top Prospects

Jeff Zimmerman of Royals Review took on the chore of compiling and presenting Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects from 1990-2010. It's a great read if you get a chance, and he databased all of his findings on a Google spreadsheet. Below are all of the players on the Washington Nationals who have ever been named in the top 100 list, and my comments on them:

Stephen Strasburg, 2010, #2 - Strasburg was ranked below Jayson Heyward this year on the prospects list. While Heyward had a strong rookie season, he didn't quite live up tot he massive hype he accumulated coming out of spring training. Strasburg on the other hand exceeded even his unprecedented expectations before suffering his elbow injury. 

Derek Norris, 2010, #38 - We will likely see Norris drop down this list after his rough 2010 season, but a strong Arizona Fall League performance and good secondary statistics will probably keep him on it for another year. Norris still has potential to be a very good major league hitter.

Drew Storen, 2010, #92 - Storen was ranked this high likely because of his immediate major league potential. He was drafted by the Nationals to supply bullpen relief to one of the worst relieving core's in baseball. A polished college prospect, many felt he would bring value right away, and they were right. 

Jordan Zimmermann, 2009, #41 – Zimmermann vaulted himself into top prospect status after a stellar professional debut in 2007 and a strong 2008 performance. An injury interrupted college career hid Zimmermann’s true talent from many scouts and when he finally was healthy he proved he was one of the best arms in the minors. After a great rookie season, and a year off due to Tommy John, Zimmermann is looking to take his place atop the Nationals rotation in 2011.

Chris Marrero, 2008, #27 – Oh Chris Marrero, you have led us on for so long. Drafted in the first round out of high school in 2006, the Nationals thought they were getting a raw power bat that would develop into an MLB middle of the order talent. But Marrero has yet to do anything impressive as he seemingly gets by each year, barely well enough to stay a prospect but not enough to inspire thoughts of the Major Leagues.

Ross Detwiler, 2008, #51- Detwiler was drafted in the first round in 2007 as a potential top of the rotation arm. Outside of one rough season in 2008 where he posted a 4.86 ERA in 26 starts in Potomac, Detwiler has had a pretty successful minor league career with a 3.79 ERA. With a rough Rookie year behind him, and a 2010 that saw him miss the majority of the year with a hip injury, Detwiler finds himself entering 2011 in a put-up or shut up situation where at the age of 25, it’s time to prove he’s a major league starter.

Collin Balester, 2008, #86 / 2007, #95- Balester earned his prospect status because of a power arm and strong build, and young age. However as he continued to rack up major league starts he proved that he didn’t quite have the moxie to be a starter at that level. Just 24, Balester will attempt a second career as a reliever for the Nats in 2011.

Ryan Zimmerman, 2006, #15 – We all know this story. Drafted out of UVA in the first round, Zimm hit .336/.377/.564 in 67 games between Savannah and Harrisburg that fall. The next spring he made the big league club and has been building his legacy ever since.

Mike Hinckley, 2005, #29 – When the Expos became the Nationals in 2005, Hinckley was one of their hottest prospects. A strong-armed lefty with minor league experience, many felt he could become a strong starter in the majors for years. He was never able to put it together however, and now is a minor leaguer outside of the organization.