Jim Bowden, The Examiner
2007-07-19 07:00:00.0
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WASHINGTON -

Now that we’re past the halfway point of the season, it’s a great time to check out our future. Under the direction of Assistant GM & VP of Player Development Bob Boone and Director of Player Development Bobby Williams, the Washington Nationals are beginning to see improvements in our prospects.

Here’s a look at some of the prospects who have succeeded so far in 2007. Later, we’ll take a look at our Vermont pitching staff as well as other prospects having good years:

The Biggest Jumps: High-A Potomac to AAA Columbus

» John Lannan, LHS (Potomac to Harrisburg to Columbus): Leading the organization in wins (11), innings (115.2) and is third in strikeouts (69). A 2005 11th-round draft pick, Lannan has three major league pitches — fastball, plus curveball, plus changeup — and is effective because he mixes speeds extremely well. He has the mental toughness to compete with men on base and has been the most successful pitcher thus far in 2007.

» Alex Morales, RHR (Potomac to Harrisburg to Columbus): The hard-throwing reliever dominated at Potomac and Harrisburg with a combined 1.40 ERA to earn his promotion to Columbus on May 29. He has a 93-96 mph lively fastball and averages 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings while limiting hitters to a .181 batting average.

Pitchers who moved up a level

» Colin Balester, RHS (Harrisburg to Columbus): The 21-year-old commands the strike zone with a solid fastball and an above average curveball. His 80 strikeouts lead our minor league organization, is second with 101.2 innings and sixth with a 3.72 ERA.

» Cory VanAllen, LHS (Hagerstown to Potomac): The 2006 fifth-round pick out of Baylor, Van Allen has impeccable command (1.71 BB/9), which helped earn his June 15 promotion. Cory combines a live, low 90s fastball with an above-average changeup, solid curveball and slider.

Four jump from Hagerstown

to Potomac

On June 12, four position players were promoted together from Hagerstown to Potomac, where they’ll learn under one of our best managers, Randy Knorr.

» Chris Marrero (18 years old), LF: Selected 15th overall in 2006, Marrero is meeting some of the lofty expectations. His plus-plus raw power has translated to the field this season and he leads the organization with 18 HR, 69 RBI, and is ninth with a .895 OPS. Since his promotion to Potomac, he has not missed a step as he has hit four homers, driven in 16 runs and has a .919 OPS.

» Justin Maxwell (23), CF: Plagued by injuries in the past, is having a breakout year. On pace for a 30-30 season when promoted to Potomac, Justin displays a rare combination of speed and power. The leadoff hitter is third in the organization with 16 HR, second in stolen bases with 19, and seventh with a .899 OPS.

» Mike Daniel (22), RF: Daniel, who has Major League five-tool potential, leads the organization with 99 hits. The 2005 seventh-round draft choice from the University of North Carolina, ranks third in the organization with 53 RBI and fourth with 17 stolen bases. He’s hitting .331 with eight stolen bases in 28 games with Potomac.

» Brett McMillan (23), 1B: McMillan has a good line-drive swing and a great command of the strike zone. His .396 OBP in Hagerstown helped earn his promotion to Potomac.

As told to The Examiner’s John Keim.

Nationals General Manager Jim Bowden provides an exclusive column to The Examiner each week, ranging on topics from the Nats to the state of Major League Baseball.