The posting is not up online at Baseball America yet, but per the mailed copy of NL East Top 10 Prospects issue ...

1. Jordan Zimmermann, RHP
2. Ross Detwiler. LHP
3. Chris Marrero, 1B
4. Michael Burgess, OF
5. Jack McGeary, LHP
6. Derek Norris, C
7. Destin Hood, OF
8. Adrian Nieto, C
9. J.P. Ramirez, OF
10. Esmailyn Gonzalez, SS

There are three players from the 2008 draft (Hood, Nieto, & Ramirez) all crack the top 10 list. This system is without question a work in progress. Still no premium prospects, though Strasburg might change that in 2009.

The Washington Nationals picks are as follows:

• 1st round: #9
• 2nd round: #55
• 3rd round: #87
• 4th round: #121
• 5th round and out: +30 (i.e. 151, 181, etc)

They didn't lose any picks by signing a free agent nor do they have any additional picks from losing any free agents.

With the ninth pick, obviously the Nationals should go with the best player available but based upon needs they should focus on:

• Catcher: Aside from Jesus Flores, there is little depth in the organization. None of Luke Montz, Devin Ivany, Brian Peacock, Sean Rooney, Jhonathan Solano, Sean Rooney, Pat Nichols, or Derek Norris project out as anything more than a backup catcher.
• Middle infielders, specifically shortstop: The Nationals have focused on pitchers and outfielders early in the past couple of drafts with the exception of Stephen King in the 3rd round of 2006. They could really use a premium guy at SS

The Nationals have made several picks among high school bats in the past two seasons. It might be time to consider balancing that out by focusing on college bats early in 2008.

At number nine, there is the chance to get a solid guy. And new ownership has demonstrated the willingness to go above slot if the situation calls for it (Jack McGeary signing as an example). If I'm the Nationals, I'm hoping that Gordon Beckham slides here. If not Beckham, then perhaps Kyle Skipworth. Given that both of those guys are likely off the board when they select, I'd target a college bat like Justin Smoak or Yonder Alonso and consider HS 1B Eric Hosmer.

John, et al

I noticed that the MOD for the Nationals is the only MLB team missing a FanPost. I am willing to take over the Nationals if bartonboi is not able to do so.

I have a pretty solid background in the Nationals minor league system. I know there system pretty much top to bottom. I can be available on May 31 at the designated time.

Please let me know if you need me (or someone else) to take over the Nationals.

 

Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post had an item in his notes article this morning about a Dominican prospect

Nats Host Dominican Teenager

The Nationals are scheduled to host a workout Tuesday morning for one of the top Latin American prospects available in this year’s signing period, Dominican shortstop Alvaro Aristy, according to sources. Aristy, 16, is the only top international prospect to have secured a visa to travel to the United States and work out for clubs privately before the end of spring training

Does anyone have any information on Aristy?

As part of a press release from the Nationals, they listed Baseball America's top 10 organizations for 2008.

1. 
   
2. Tampa Bay
3. 
   
4. Boston
5. 
   
6. Cincinnati
7. 
   
8. Texas
9. 
   
10. New York Yankees
11. 
    
12. Los Angelese Dodgers
13. 
    
14. Colorado
15. 
    
16. Atlanta
17. 
    
18. Washington
19. 
    
20. Los Angeles Angels
21. 
    

The Rangers jumped 24 spots from 2007 while the Nationals jumped 21

At the bottom of Barry Svrluga's article on the Elijah Dukes deal

A source with knowledge of the situation said the Nationals traded reliever Jonathan Albaladejo to the New York Yankees in exchange for right-hander Tyler Clippard, pending physical examinations of both players. The 22-year-old, who went 3-1 with a 6.33 ERA filling in for the Yankees this year, has a 3.52 ERA over five minor league seasons. He should immediately be a contender for Washington's rotation. Bowden did not return messages seeking comment on the deal.

Albaladejo was picked up by the Nationals after the Pirates released him from the minor leagues in 2007.

Why would the Yankees do that?

From the Washington Post

Dave Sheinin just confirmed what I've been trying to for the last couple hours -- that troubled Tampa Bay outfielder Elijah Dukes has been dealt to the Washington Nationals.

We do not yet know who was dealt in return.

Link

Any guesses from the peanut gallery who is Tampa bound?

MiLB.com has moved on to their #31 to #40 prospects

31. Chris Marrero      
    
32. Reid Brignac      
    
33. Andy LaRoche      
    
34. Joey Votto      
    
35. Max Scherzer      
    
36. Scott Elbert      
    
37. Ross Detwiler      
    
38. Elvis Andrus      
    
39. Chris Volstad      
    
40. Luke Hochevar      

Baseball America has moved on to the Nationals top 10 prospects list

1. Chris Marrero, OF/1B
   
2. Ross Detwiler, LHP
   
3. Collin Balester, RHP
   
4. Michael Burgess, OF
   
5. Jack McGeary, LHP
   
6. Josh Smoker, LHP
   
7. Jordan Zimmermann, RHP
   
8. Glenn Gibson, LHP
   
9. Justin Maxwell, OF
   
10. Colton Willems, RHP

Half of those players are from this past year's draft and eight of the ten have come into the organiztion since the Lerners took ownership. Only Balester and Maxwell predate that (and Maxwell was a Bowden pick in 2005).

The player to be named later in the Brewers/Nationals deal involving LHRP Ray King was named.

The Washington Nationals today acquired 23 year-old outfielder/first baseman Andrew Lefave from the Milwaukee Brewers to complete the September 4 trade in which Milwaukee acquired left-handed pitcher Ray King in exchange for a player to be named later.  Nationals Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden made the announcement.

The Single-A South Atlantic League batting champion, Lefave hit .345 (146-for-423) with 25 doubles, 17 home run, 79 RBI and 59 walks in 112 games for the West Virginia Power this season.  Lefave's batting average ranked second in minor league baseball among players with at least 350 at-bats.  He also led all Single-A batters with at least 350 at-bats in batting and on-base percentage (.432).   Lefave, who bats and throws left handed, led the entire Brewers organization in hitting in 2007.  

In one-plus seasons, or 147 professional games, Lefave is a .347 career hitter with 18 home runs and 101 RBI.  He also sports stellar career on-base (.431) and slugging (.517) percentages.  Lefave originally signed with the Brewers as a non-drafted free agent on July 1, 2006 after attending Missouri Valley College.

The Washington Nationals today acquired first baseman/outfielder Chris Carter from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for right-handed pitcher Emiliano Fruto.   The Nationals then immediately traded Carter to the Boston Red Sox as the player to be named to complete the August 17 trade in which Washington acquired outfielder Wily Mo Pena and cash considerations from Boston.  Nationals Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden made the announcements.

Mark Zuckerman of the Washington Times is reporting that the Washington Nationals have signed Calhoun High School left-handed pitcher Josh Smoker today. Smoker was the first pick of the supplemental first round (#31 overall). The rumored bonus amount is $950,000.

With this signing, the Nationals have signed 38 players from the 2007 including nineteen of their first twenty selections. The only remaining unsigned player is Roxbury Latin High School left-handed pitcher Jack McGeary, their sixth round selection. No official word on whether those negotiations have ended.

The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms on a professional contract with shortstop Luis Castillo of San Pedro, Dominican Republic. Nationals Director of Scouting Dana Brown made the announcement.

Under the watchful eyes of Brown, Assistant General Manager & Vice President, Player Development Bob Boone and Special Assistant to the General Manager & National Crosschecker Chuck LaMar, the Nationals agreed to terms with Castillo after a recent workout at the club's Dominican facility in San Cristobal, DR.

The 17-year Castillo is a 6-foot-1, 175 lbs. switch hitter.

Anyone know anything about Castillo?

The Nationals signed Jerome Williams to a major league contract and Brandon Claussen to a minor league deal.

Additionally, Aaron Fitt has his Nationals Top 10 up at Baseball America

1. Collin Balester, rhp
   
2. Chris Marrero, of
   
3. Colton Willems, rhp
   
4. Kory Casto, 3b/of
   
5. Esmailyn Gonzalez, ss
   
6. Zech Zinicola, rhp
   
7. Glenn Gibson, lhp
   
8. Matt Chico, lhp
   
9. Stephen King, ss
   
10. Ian Desmond, ss

Some really good news out of Tampa Bay.  Devil Rays manager Lou Piniella said his goal this season is to limit Kazmir and the other young Rays' starting pitchers to around 160 to 175 innings this season, according to the team's official web site.

It will be interesting to see how strictly he sticks to that assertion.