Today we complete the NL East Top 5's with the Washington Nationals Top 5 fantasy players to remember come draft day 2010. The Nationals don't have big name players on their roster, but I see that changing in the next few years.
Here are the Top 5 Nationals for 2010:
1. Ryan Zimmerman-one can make an argument that he is the second best fantasy third baseman in baseball behind Alex Rodriguez, after seeing David Wright's power all but disappear in 2009. I wrote about Zimmerman here, where I compare him to the Rays Evan Longoria. The polls selected Longoria as the better fantasy player, but I am not so sure.
2. Adam Dunn-all Chris Carter did was catch touchdowns in the NFL. All Adam Dunn does is strikeout, walk and hit HRs. He has hit 40 HRs in 5 of the last 6 seasons, as he hit 38 in 2009. He is one of the most reliable power hitters in the game.
3. Nyjer Morgan-Morgan had a breakout season in 2009, hitting .307 with a .369 OBP and 42 SBs in 59 chances, in his 469 ABs. Morgan's ability to get on base could vault him to 50 SBs in 2010.
4. Josh WIllingham-Willingham has 30 HR power if given the opportunity to play everyday, as he hit 24 bombs in a little over 400 ABs in 2009. He should be the Nationals everyday left fielder until he is traded, which could happen this offseason, or by the July 31st trade deadline.
5. Stephen Strasburg-you know things are tough when I have to pick Stephen Strasburg as the 5th best fantasy player on the Nationals. Sure, you have the potential of Elijah Dukes, but we don't even know if he will be the starting right fielder in Washington in 2010, especially with Randy Winn's name linked to the Nationals. I can see Strasburg getting called up by June and being
Sleeper Alert: Drew Storen-I see Storen taking over the closer's job in June sometime and being a dominating closer.