Draft prep: Washington Nationals outlook

At first glance, you might not think there's a lot of Fantasy potential in the Nationals dugout. Then on your second glance, you'd think -- why am I looking twice? This team has very little Fantasy potential!

Among the top 20 Fantasy players at every position (160 players) -- among the top 20 catchers, top 20 first basemen, top 20 second basemen, top 20 shortstops, top 20 third basemen, top 20 outfielders, top 20 starting pitchers and top 20 relievers -- only two wear Washington Nationals jerseys.

Ryan Zimmerman and Chad Cordero might be the top two Fantasy options entering this season, but don't let that fool you into thinking they will be the only Nats you'll want by season's end.

With Felipe Lopez and Cristian Guzman setting the table, that doesn't allow many RBI chances for No. 3 hitter Zimmerman, although Guzman did hit .327 in limited at-bats last year. But don't forget that Zimmerman finished second in NL ROY balloting in '06, with Alfonso Soriano as a teammate, and the Univ. of Virginia product will be hitting in a much more palatable park, as the Nats leave RFK Stadium. He's a top-10 third baseman in Fantasy, despite the fact he's coming off a wrist injury this offseason.

Speaking of corner infielders coming off of an injury -- Nick Johnson is finally close to being ready after rehabbing his way back from a broken leg. He's still dealing with some pain in his hip, which could mean that Dmitri Young starts at first base again until Johnson is ready. When healthy, Johnson has 25-homer potential and the fact that he draws so many walks is good news for his Head-to-Head owners -- and Zimmerman's owners. Johnson is now a low-risk/high-reward Fantasy player.

More is also expected from both Austin Kearns and Wily Mo Pena this season, and both are worth taking a chance on late in mixed drafts. Their outfield counterpart, Lastings Milledge, has a ton of potential, but he has yet to display it consistently on the field. He should also be a nice late-round pick in Rotisserie leagues because of his speed.

The Nats also signed Johnny Estrada to back up Paul Lo Duca behind the plate.

As far as the rotation goes, it's not a star-studded group by any means. John Patterson is a 30-year-old ace with elbow trouble. Shawn Hill was their ace last season, leading the team in ERA, but he is injury-prone and hasn't pitched 100 innings yet in any one season. He doesn't strike out a lot of batters, he won't drop a 3.00 ERA on you and the Nationals won't get him many wins -- so that means you should only look to him in larger mixed or NL-only leagues.

Chad Cordero led the majors in blown saves last season with nine. He did get 22 saves in the second half though, and there isn't really any competition for his spot. So drafting him as a No. 2 closer is advisable and don't be afraid of closers on losing teams. The Nationals actually led the majors in save opportunities last year with 73.

Spring position battles

Left field -- Wily Mo Pena vs. Dmitri Young
If Nick Johnson is healthy and ready to go, Young could play in left field. But Pena might need to get hurt or start off slow. Young proved last season that he still has a lot left in the tank.

SPs 4 and 5 -- Matt Chico vs. Tyler Clippard vs. Joel Hanrahan
Chico had a nice rookie season, but Clippard and Hanrahan are probably higher end prospects. With that said, you can do better than picking the fourth and fifth starters on the Nationals.

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