Ian Desmond

2013

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2012

Desmond had a disappointing 2011, showing a decline in his slash line and home run total. He was able to post an identical BABIP (.317), however, his strikeout rate increased from 19.0 to 21.8 percent and that caused a drop in his batting average. He was able to improve his walk rate in 2011, but he will not have an OBP above .320 in 2012. Desmond will be a benefit to owners because of his 20-plus stolen-base ability, and he is capable of producing double-digit home runs again. Despite his struggles in 2011 at both the plate and in the field, he will continue to be the starting shortstop in 2012.

2011

Desmond's first full season in the big leagues proved to be a tough one. The improvement in his plate discipline that he flashed the year before evaporated, and his 34 errors in the field were unacceptable by any standard. His steals give him fantasy value and there's still a little upside here, but a disappointing start to the year (especially with the glove) could see Danny Espinosa slide over to short and put Desmond at second base, or on the bench in a utility role.

2010

After a few seasons in the Nationals' system as the poster boy for Athleticism Without Tools, Desmond suddenly started developing a skill set, making consistent solid contact at the plate with a little bit of power and good success on the base paths, while also showing some refinement in the field. He did well enough at the end of the year in the majors to make the club seriously consider shifting Cristian Guzman over to second base in 2010 (although Guzman's declining defense should have been enough encouragement), and while the Nats may look to sign a veteran shortstop to take the pressure off Desmond he could just as easily win the starting job outright this spring. He won't be the next Hanley Ramirez, but he does look like he's got a big league career ahead of him.

2009

The Nationals continue to promote Desmond as though he's a legit prospect, but he has yet to do anything on the diamond to prove it. He's an amazing athlete, but so far he hasn't honed his baseball skills enough to turn that athleticism into any kind of real production. He'll turn 24 next summer, and time is running out for him to justify Washington's faith in him.