Sand Gnat Ian Desmond

The Washington Nationals have announced that Ian Desmond will be their starting shortstop for the 2010 season.

Fans remember Desmond playing shortstop for the Savannah Sand Gnats during the 2005 season. He appeared in 73 games and made 20 errors. He batted .247, 10 doubles, 2 triples, and 4 home runs. Nationals third baseman, Ryan Zimmerman, played in 4 games for the Sand Gnats in 2005 and was promptly promoted to double A.

Baseball America prospect Handbook(2010) list Desmond as the 4th best prospect for the Washington Nationals.

Jason Heyward, top prospect

Enjoyed the article in the USA Today, "Braves Cox has 1 more prospect." A lot of writers have ranked Jason Heyward as the top prospect in all of baseball-some would argue for Nationals pitching phenom, Stephen Strasburg. So far Heyward is having a great spring for the Atlanta Braves, hitting .444. Cox says, "Heyward,20, a one-of-a-kind prospect." When Heyward played for the Rome Braves in 2008 against the Savannah Sand Gnats, it was obvious he was very special and talented. He will be the starting right fielder for the Braves when the 2010 season begins.

Remember Zimmerman as a Sand Gnat?

Today I enjoyed the article in the Savannah Morning News, "Zimmerman vows he'll be better in 2010." He was a baseball star at the University of Virginia and on draft day of 2005, Zimmerman signed a 2.975 million dollar contract with the Washington Nationals.
I had the opportunity to watch Zimmerman play four games with the Savannah Sand Gnats in 2005. I remember he hit line drives to the power alleys and all over the field. In the four home games he played, he hit 2HR, 2doubles, 1triple and batted .471. He fielded all balls hit to him at third base and he had a strong throwing arm.
Because of his strong showing in Savannah, he was promoted to double A and then promoted to the Nationals during the 2005 season.

Baseball America 2010 Prospect Handbook

The 2010 Baseball America Prospect Handbook list the top thirty players for ever major league team. The New York Mets prospects are:
1.) Jenrry Mejia

2.) Wilmer Flores

3.) Fernando Martines

4) Ike Davis

5.) Brad Holt

6.) Jon Niese

7.) Reese Havens

8.) Josh Thole

9.) Ruben Tejada

10.) Juan Urbina

11.) Steve Matz

12.) Jefry Marte

13.) Kirk Nieuwenhuis

14.) Kyle Allen

15.) Jeurys Familia

16.) Robert Carson

17.) Cesar Puello

18.) Scott Moviel

19.) Robbie Shields

20.) Zach Dotson

21.) Zach Lutz

22.) Sean Ratliff

23.) Dillon Gee

24.) Eric Niesen

25.) Eddie Kunz

26.) Josh Stinson

27.) Eric Beaulac

28.) Brant Rustich

29.) Tobi Stoner

30.) Jordany Valdespin