Washington Nationals Find a Gem in Prospect Danny Espinosa

It worked in the New York-Penn League, where he hit for a high average despite getting only two extra-base hits. With his confidence back, he's driving the ball again, both to the gaps, and three times in the past two weeks, out of the park. His team-leading .959 on-base plus slugging percentage is an especially high number for a talented defensive shortstop.

"There's no one area of his game we look at and say, 'Boy, we need to make huge strides quickly here,' because he's polished in all areas," Potomac Manager Trent Jewett said. "And you just don't see middle infielders with his type of arm strength."

Before the season started, Baseball America ranked Espinosa as the Nationals' 14th-best prospect, with only one shortstop ahead of him -- Esmailyn "Smiley" González, who was 10th.

Now that González has been exposed as 23-year-old Carlos Daniel Alvarez Lugo, Espinosa would appear to be the Nationals' most highly regarded minor leaguer at his position, though Rizzo refused to give him that label.

"We really have the luxury of having a good shortstop in every level," he said. "Cristian Guzmán is an all-star. Alberto González at AAA is going to be an everyday shortstop in the major leagues really soon. Ian Desmond at AA is on the disabled list right now [with a broken hand], but he is a really good prospect. And then Espinosa at high A has a bright future."

Does that depth mean Espinosa could be blocked from advancing to Washington? "We're going to play the best shortstop we've got," Rizzo said, "and some day he'll probably be the best we have. I'm just not sure what that date will be."

Until that date arrives, Espinosa must continue to prove his bat is major league ready, and try to avoid the type of down year that has hurt him in the past.

"It's not my decision to say when I'm ready, but as long as I play well, I'm giving myself the best chance to make it hard for them to keep me down," he said. "If I can go out and show them I'm working hard and playing hard, they'll give me a chance. I know they will."