truebluefan

New York-Penn League

BURLINGTON, VT --- The Washington Nationals minor league system is ranked 9th among the 30 Major League teams according to Baseball America's 2008 Prospect Handbook, the Nationals announced today in a press release.

Along with the rankings, Baseball America also released the top 20 prospects in the Nationals organization. 10 of the top 20 prospects have spent time in Vermont with the Lake Monsters, including seven players in the top 10 and six players that were with Vermont during the 2007 season.

The Nationals have moved up to the 9th spot after finishing dead last in 30th-place before the 2007 season. Since 2001, the previous high for the Washington Nationals/Montreal Expos was 16th in 2002.

Nationals Top 20 Prospects
Former Vermont players in bold (*2007 Lake Monsters)
1. Chris Marrero, 1B/OF
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. Justin Maxwell, OF
9. Colton Willems, RHP*
10. John Lannan, LHP
11. Jake Smolinski, OF
12. Tyler, Clippard, RHP
13. Adam Carr, RHP
14. Ian Desmond, SS
15. Garrett Mock, RHP
16. Stephen King, SS*
17. Esmailyn Gonzalez, SS
18. Shairon Martis, RHP
19. Brad Peacock, RHP
20. Kory Casto, OF/3B

Nationals/Expos
Ranking
2001: 21
2002: 16
2003: 29
2004: 30
2005: 26
2006: 24
2007: 30
2008: 9

2008 Team Rankings
1. Tampa Bay Rays
2. Boston Red Sox
3. Cincinnati Reds
4. Texas Rangers
5. New York Yankees
6. Los Angeles Dodgers
7. Colorado Rockies
8. Atlanta Braves
9. Washington Nationals

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