26-year old righty swinging shortstop Ian Desmond played in 154 games for the Nationals last year and he was 148 of 584 (.253 avg, .656 OPS) with 65 runs scored, 8 homers, 49 RBIs and 25 stolen bases. Desmond has now played in 329 games in his first two years with the Nationals and he is 312 of 1,191 (.262 avg, .691 OPS) with 133 runs scored, 22 homers, 126 RBIs and 43 stolen bases. Desmond had 23 errors in 152 games at SS for the Nationals last year while showing off good range. Desmond has a nice upside, but he needs to get more consistent at the plate while cutting down on his errors a little bit in the field.

23-year old switch-hitting Steve Lombardozzi comes into this season as the Nationals’ #10 prospect according to Baseball America. He played in 13 games for the Nationals last year and he was 6 for 31 (.194 avg, .445 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 0 homers and 1 RBI. He also played in 134 games in AA+AAA-ball last year in which he was 172 of 556 (.309 avg, .790 OPS) with 86 runs scored, 8 homers, 52 RBIs and 30 stolen bases. Lombardozzi played in 1 error-free game at SS for the Nationals last year. If Ian Desmond slumps again in 2012, Lombardozzi could push him for his starting gig.

27-year old switch-hitting Andres Blanco played in 36 games for the Rangers last year and he was 17 of 76 (.224 avg, .605 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 2 homers and 3 RBIs. He has now played in 235 games in his first six years in the majors and he is 151 of 591 (.255 avg, .634 OPS) with 65 runs scored, 3 homers, 47 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Blanco had 3 errors in 23 games at SS last year while showing off pretty awful range.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE SS IN 2012: B-

24-year old switch-hitting 2B Danny Espinosa has a lot of power but the Nationals want him to cut down on his strikeouts to help lift his batting average a little bit in 2012. He played in 158 games for the Nationals last year and he was 135 of 573 (.236 avg, .737 OPS) with 72 runs scored, 21 homers, 66 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. Espinosa has now played in 186 games in his first two years in the majors and he is 157 of 676 (.232 avg, .735 OPS) with 88 runs scored, 27 homers, 81 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. Espinosa has already whiffed 196 times in his career and that’s way too many for a hitter like him. Espinosa had 14 errors in 158 games at 2B last year while showing off really good range. Espinosa has a huge upside if he can start making more contact at the plate.

23-year old switch-hitting Steve Lombarozzi and 27-year old switch-hitting Andres Blanco are competing for the utility infield job this spring. Lombardozzi played in 3 error-free games at 2B for the Nationals last year while showing off good range. Blanco played in 5 error-free games for the Rangers last year while showing out of this world range.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2B IN 2012: B

The Nationals are hoping that 32-year old lefty swinging 1B Adam LaRoche can rebound in 2012 from an injury plagued and ineffective 2011 season. LaRoche played in only 43 games for the Nationals last year and he was 26 for 151 (.172 avg, .546 OPS) with 15 runs scored, 3 homers, 15 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He has now played in 1,032 games in his first 8 years in the majors and he is 959 for 3,588 (.267 avg, .815 OPS) with 492 runs scored, 164 homers, 584 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Even though LaRoche didn’t hit well for the Nationals last year, he didn’t take his struggles into the field. LaRoche didn’t have any errors in 43 games at 1B for the Nationals last year.

23-year old righty swinging Chris Marrero comes into this season as the Nationals’ #12 prospect according to Baseball America. Marrero played in 31 games for the Nationals last year and he was 27 for 109 (.248 avg, .567 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 0 homers and 10 RBIs. He also played in 127 games in AAA-ball for the Nationals last year and he was 145 for 483 (.300 avg, .825 OPS) with 59 runs scored, 14 homers, 69 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Marrero had 2 errors in 31 games at 1B last year and he is a slightly above average defender.

The Nationals want Mike Morse to concentrate on playing LF in 2012. He played in 85 games at 1B for the Nationals last year and he had 6 errors. It’s definitely not his best defensive position.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 1B IN 2012: C

This is the year that the Nationals are going to turn 24-year old righty swinging Wilson Ramos, as the full-time starting catcher. Ramos played in 113 games for the Nationals last year and he was 104 of 389 (.267 avg, .779 OPS) with 48 runs scored, 15 homers and 52 RBIs. He has now played in 128 games in his first two years with the Nationals and he was 118 of 441 (.268 avg, .770 OPS) with 51 runs scored, 16 homers and 56 RBIs. Ramos has now played in 135 games in his first two years in the majors and he is 126 of 468 (.269 avg, .767 OPS) with 53 runs scored, 16 homers and 57 RBIs. Ramos played in 108 games behind the plate for the Nationals last year and he had 3 errors and 2 passed balls. He also threw out 19 of 71 (26.8%) base stealers and Nationals’ pitchers had a 3.73 ERA with him behind the plate. The Nationals stole Ramos in a deal with the Twins a couple of years ago, and he’s going to have a breakout year in 2012.

27-year old righty swinging Jesus Flores is going to back up Ramos in 2012. He played in 30 games for the Nationals last year and he was 18 for 86 (.209 avg, .567 OPS) with 5 runs scored, 1 homer and 2 RBIs. Flores has now played in 228 games in his first four years in the majors and he is 167 of 660 (.253 avg, .699 OPS) with 62 runs scored, 17 homers and 101 RBIs. Flores played in 22 games behind the plate for the Nationals last year and had 1 error and 2 passed balls. He also threw out 4 of 20 (20%) base stealers and Nationals’ pitchers had a 3.36 ERA with him behind the dish. If Flores’ shoulder stays in one piece, he should be an improvement over Ivan Rodriguez.

33-year old righty swinging Carlos Maldonado will likely start the 2012 season in AAA-ball. He played in 38 in AAA-ball for the Nationals last year and he was 26 for 111 (.234 avg, .703 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 1 homer and 12 RBIs. Maldonado last played in the majors back in 2010 with the Nationals. He has played in 25 games in his first three years in the majors and he is 10 for 54 (.185 avg, .645 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 3 homers, 7 RBIs and 1 stolen base.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE CATCHERS IN 2012: B

The Nationals are going to have a really strong bullpen in 2012. The bullpen will likely include lefties Tom Gorzelanny and Ross Detwiler if they lose out on spots in the starting rotation…which is likely. Here is a look at the bullpen as it stands right now:

Closer: Drew Storen: 24-year old righty Drew Storen really stepped up last year in his first year as the full-time closer in 2011. He pitched in 73 games (0 starts) for the Nationals last year and he was 6-3 with 43 saves, a 2.75 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP. Storen has now pitched in 127 games (0 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 10-7 with 48 saves, a 3.10 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. I look for Storen to keep getting better and better, so I think he will have a huge year in 2012.

Set-Up Man: Tyler Clippard: 27-year old righty Tyler Clippard has been amazing since the Nationals practically stole him in a deal with the Yankees. Clippard pitched in 72 games (0 starts) for the Nationals last year and he was 3-0 with a 1.83 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP. He has now pitched in 193 games (2 starts) in his first four years with the Nationals and he is 19-11 with 1 save, a 2.59 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. Clippard has now pitched in 199 games (8 starts) in his first five years in the majors and he is 22-12 with 1 save, a 2.96 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. Look for Clippard to continue to dominate in 2012.

Righties: Brad Lidge: 35-year old Brad Lidge will be the Nationals’ 7th inning man in 2012. He pitched in 25 games (0 starts) for the Phillies last year and he was 0-2 with 1 save, a 1.40 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. Lidge has now pitched in 592 games (1 start) in his first 10 years in the majors and he is 26-31 with 223 saves, a 3.44 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. Lidge could set-up or close for the Nationals if the need arises in 2012.

Henry Rodriguez: 24-year old Henry Rodriguez is a fireballer. He pitched in 59 games (0 starts) for the Nationals last year and he was 3-3 with 2 saves, a 3.56 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP. Rodriguez has now pitched in 91 games (0 starts) in his first 3 years in the majors and he is 4-3 with 2 saves, a 3.79 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. Rodriguez has a nice upside.

Ryan Perry: 25-year old Ryan Perry came over in a deal with the Tigers over the winter. He pitched in 36 games (0 starts) for the Tigers last year and he was 2-0 with a 5.35 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP. Perry has now pitched in 149 games (0 starts) in his first three years in the majors and he is 5-6 with 2 saves, a 4.07 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. Perry has a huge upside, so the Nationals hope a change of scenery does him well in 2012.

Chad Durbin: 34-year old Chad Durbin will try to win a job as the long man in the Nationals’ pen in 2012. He pitched in 56 games (0 starts) for the Indians last year and he was 2-2 with a 5.53 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP. Durbin has now pitched in 364 games (75 starts) in his first 12 years in the majors and he is 38-46 with 4 saves, a 5.10 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP. The Nationals hope a return to the N.L. does Durbin some good.

Wladis Joaquin: 25-year old Wladis Joaquin is a hard thrower. He pitched in 5 games (0 starts) for the Giants last year and he was 1-0 with a 4.26 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. Joaquin also pitched in 35 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball last year and he was 2-2 with 1 save, a 3.44 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP. He has now pitched in 19 games (0 starts) in his first three years in the majors and he is 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA and a 1.80 WHIP. Joaquin will need a good spring to win a job in the Nationals’ bullpen.

Jeff Fulchino: 32-year old Jeff Fulchino pitched in 39 games (0 starts) for the Padres & Astros last year and he was 1-4 with a 5.71 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP. He has now pitched in 163 games (0 starts) in his first five years in the majors and he is 9-10 with a 4.84 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. Fulchino will be a longshot to win a spot in the Nationals’ pen this spring.

Ryan Mattheus: 28-year old Jeff Matheus really stepped up last year. He pitched in 35 games (0 starts) in his first taste of the majors last year for the Nationals and he was 2-2 with a 2.81 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. He also pitched in 22 games (0 starts) in AA+AAA-ball last year and he was 2-1 with 6 saves, a 1.46 ERA and a 0.81 WHIP. It looks like Mattheus is going to be a late bloomer for the Nationals.

Brian Broderick: 25-year old Brian Broderick made his major league debut last year for the Nationals. He pitched in 11 games (0 starts) for the Nationals last year and he was 0-1 with a 6.57 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP. He also pitched in 22 games (15 starts) in AAA-ball last year and he was 7-7 with a 5.04 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. He is a big time longshot to win a job in the Nationals’ bullpen this spring.

Craig Stammen: 27-year old Craig Stammen pitched in 7 games (0 starts) for the Nationals last year and he was 1-1 with a 0.87 ERA and a 0.68 WHIP. He has now pitched in 61 games (38 starts) in his first three years with the Nationals and he is 9-12 with a 4.94 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. Stammen might just adjust to working out of the bullpen.

Cole Kimball: 26-year old Cole Kimball pitched in 12 games (0 starts) for the Nationals (his first taste of the majors) and he was 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. He also pitched in 12 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball last year and he was 1-0 with 5 saves, a 0.00 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. He will likely start the season late as his season ended early due to injury in 2011.

Dan Cortes: 24-year old Dan Cortes was a highly thought of prospect in Seattle. He season ended early last year due to injury and he will likely start the 2012 season late because of it. Cortes pitched in 10 games (0 starts) for the Mariners last year and he was 0-2 with a 5.91 ERA and a 1.78 WHIP. He has now pitched in 14 games (0 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 0-3 with a 5.06 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. The Nationals are going to take it slow with Cortes, just like they did with Chien-Ming Wang.

Lefties: Sean Burnett: 29-year old Sean Burnett pitched in 69 games (0 starts) for the Nationals last year and he was 5-5 with 4 saves, a 3.81 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. He has now pitched in 175 games (0 starts) in his first three years with the Nationals and he is 7-13 with 7 saves, a 2.98 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. Burnett has now pitched in 284 games (13 starts) in his first five years in the majors and he is 14-21 with 8 saves, a 3.80 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. He is pitching the best baseball of his career right now, so expect another strong year out of him in 2012.

Atahualpa Severino: 27-year old Atahualpa Severino got his first taste of the majors last year for the Nationals. He pitched in 6 games (0 starts) for the Nationals last year and he was 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. He also pitched in 35 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball for the Nationals last year and he was 1-2 with 1 save, a 4.50 ERA and a 1.88 WHIP. Severino will be a big time longshot to make the Nationals’ pen this spring.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE BULLPEN IN 2012: A