CHRIS MARRERO NOT LIVING UP TO POTENTIAL

When the Nationals picked infielder Chris Marrero with their first round pick in 2006 (15th over all), it was assumed it would be just a matter of time before the young slugger would anchor the Nationals' major league lineup.

Then general manager Jim Bowden saw Marrero as the perfect complement to Ryan Zimmerman, who was drafted the season before. Bowden believed that while Marrero wouldn't hit for a high average like Zimmerman, he would have more power and drive in more runs.

Sadly, it hasn't turned out that way.

Playing at Low-A ball, Marrero batted .302/.371/.420 and showed good power. Promoted to High-A Potomac, his numbers dropped to .270/.344/452 and in 233 at-bats at Double-A Harrisburg, his numbers fell to .262/.320/.421.

However, Marrero is warming up. After a slow start, he has hit home runs in four consecutive games for Double-A Harrisburg and is on pace to hit .259-24-84 this season with a .308 on-base percentage and a .437 slugging mark.

Regardless, I doubt Marrero is in the team's long-term plans.

He was a natural third baseman in high school, but was moved to the outfield because of Ryan Zimmerman. Marrero, however, played poorly there and is now at first base.

I'm sure the Nationals would rather resign Adam Dunn to a three-year contract rather than take a chance on Marrero as their every-day first baseman beginning in 2011.

Chris Marrero is a poor defender whose major league ceiling is probably somewhere in the vicinity of .270-22-80, good enough for a corner outfielder but not for a first baseman.

I wouldn't be surprised to see him traded--perhaps this summer--for a quality starter, someone who might help the Nationals enter their first pennant chase since 2005.

Like, oh, I don't know .... Roy Oswalt?

DANIEL ROSENBAUM IS THE REAL DEAL

Since the first day that they arrived in town, the Washington Nationals promised that fixing the depleted farm system would be priority-one.

And since that first draft, the team has been stocking their farm system with talented young pitchers. Then general manager Jim Bowden said that was the way to do it. "You draft as many pitchers as you can get," he said, "and then trade the excess for position players."

And for the most part, it has worked. Two members of the Nationals' current starting rotation--John Lannan and Craig Stammen--arrived that very first amateur draft in 2005.

But we've stopped watching for the quantity and are transfixed on the quality, last year's first rounders Stephen Strasburg and Drew Storen. Because of them, we've stopped looking for the next Lannan or the next Stammen.

But they are there. And though it's important when the can't miss prospects suceed, it is far more fun when the late-rounders come out of nowhere and help solidify the team.

Like Daniel Rosenbaum.

Rosenbaum was drafted in the 22nd round of last year's amateur draft, an afterthought pick if ever there was one. He had a good-enough career at Xavier, but certainly nothing special. If he wasn't a left-hander, I doubt he would have even been drafted.

As a 21-year-old, Rosenbaum dominated his Gulf Coast League competition. He started 11 games, crafting a fine record of 4-1, 1.95. allowing just 7.1 hits and 2.2 walks per nine-innings while striking out 9.2.

That said, Rosenbaum was pitching against 18-year-olds. The Nationals would need to wait until this season when, playing for Class-A Hagerstown, he would compete against players of similar age and experience.

Turns out he's pitching even better.

In 28 innings, Rosenbaum is 1-0, 1.57, allowing 6.9 hits and 1.6 walks per nine-innings while striking out nearly eight per game.

So while it's fun to watch guys like Strasburg and Storen inch their way towards the major leagues, it is players like Daniel Rosenbaum--players who came out of nowhere--who can make a good team great.