Lake Monsters Among Top 10 Nationals Prospects

BURLINGTON, VT --- Baseball America has begun their look at the Top 10 Prospects for each of the 30 Major League teams and just announced their list for the Washington Nationals, which includes seven players who have played with the Vermont Lake Monsters.

The highest ranked former Lake Monster is catcher Derek Norris, who is listed second between 2009 first-round draft picks Stephen Strasburg (#1) and Drew Storen (#3). Norris was named the Nationals Minor League Player of the Year after hitting .286 with 23 home runs and 84 RBI in 126 games for Single-A Hagerstown.

The top 10 also includes two players who spent time with the 2009 Lake Monsters. Second baseman Jeff Kobernus, who went 9-for-41 (.220) with eight runs scored in 10 games for Vermont after being taken in the second round, was ranked #7 by Baseball America. #10 Destin Hood hit .246 with two home runs and 24 RBI in 38 games for Vermont after being promoted from the Gulf Coast League.

Other former Vermont players include shortstops Ian Desmond at #4 and Danny Espinosa at #5, while outfielders Justin Maxwell at #8 and Michael Burgess at #9.

In addition to the Top 10 prospects, Baseball America also announced the Best Tools list for the Nationals organization. Norris was named the Best Hitter for Average, Best Power Hitter and Best Strike-Zone Discipline.

Maxwell was named the organization's Best Athlete, while Espinosa Best Defensive Infielder, Desmond Best Infield Arm, Burgess Best Outfield Arm and 2009 Lake Monster Sandy Leon with Best Defensive Catcher.