Jim Bowden is long gone, stepping down as general manager of the Nationals in March. But the scouting and player-development staff put together on his watch remains intact — led by acting general manager Mike Rizzo. Members of the 2008 draft class are just starting their pro careers.
Here are the early returns from the Nats’ 2006 and 2007 drafts.
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2006
No. 1 pick Chris Marrero is having a nice season at Single-A Potomac (.281 BA, 6 HR, 32 RBI), but at 20 certainly isn’t close to being major-league ready. After that the draft falls off a cliff.
Pitcher Colton Willems (1st rd.) has a 7.52 ERA at Potomac. Outfielder Stephen Englund (3rd rd.) is batting .109 at low-A Hagerstown. Third baseman Stephen King (5th rd.) is hitting .203 at Potomac. Pitcher Cory VanAllen (7th rd.) has battled various injuries at Harrisburg.
Positives include reliever Zech Zinicola (8th rd.), who has a 1.74 ERA at Harrisburg and catcher Sean Rooney (10th rd.), who is taking off at Potomac with a .309 average.
Grade » Marrero is rebounding well from a season-ending ankle injury in 2008. But for now no other impact players on horizon. C–
2007
This draft class already has produced. Left-handed pitcher Ross Detwiler (1st rd./6th overall) is in the majors and holding his own. The numbers for right-handed pitcher Jordan Zimmermann (3rd rd.) aren’t eye-popping — but he shows the poise of a veteran.
Back in the minors, catcher Derek Norris (4th rd.) is dominating the South Atlantic League at Hagerstown (.324 BA, 1.016 OPS). Supplemental-round pick Josh Smoker underwent shoulder surgery in November after a disappointing 2008. He has yet to pitch this season. Fellow supplemental rounder Michael Burgess has power — 18 home runs at Hagerstown in 2008 and 10 more at Potomac this season, But he’s also a strikeout machine and still learning how to harness his swing. Bonus baby Jack McGeary (6th rd.) is slowly adjusting to pro ball with a 6.20 ERA at Hagerstown after two years at Stanford.
Grade » Still a deep group despite injuries and trades. McGeary is the key — a first-round talent taken in the sixth whom Washington convinced to sign. A-
