Justin Maxwell

2013

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2012

Maxwell has a ton of tools, but has never put it all together in a few brief stints in the majors. He got off to a good start with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2011, putting up 16 homers, 11 steals and a .945 OPS in just 48 games, but missed the bulk of the season with a shoulder injury. Depending on what the Yankees decide to do with Andruw Jones and Chris Dickerson, Maxwell could make the team as an extra outfielder, and his power/speed combination makes him an interesting short-term pickup if injuries thrust him into the lineup.

2011

Maxwell could not buy a hit in the big leagues, but his Triple-A numbers, defensive ability and 21 steals between the two levels still have him looking like a future bench player. The Jayson Werth signing likely leaves him competing with Roger Bernadina for that role in 2011, however.

2010

Maxwell is starting to look more like a future fourth outfielder than a potential starter. He did steal 35 bases at Triple-A last year and still knows how to take a walk, but he once again couldn't make consistent contact and his power numbers dropped. At 26, there's not a lot of ceiling left here, but in the right situation he could get a look as someone's bargain basement leadoff hitter. Surprisingly though, given Nyjer Morgan's emergence, that situation is not in Washington.

2009

Maxwell once again lived up to his brittle reputation, as a wrist injury cost him most of the season. Before he got hurt, an unlucky BABIP was disguising an excellent Double-A season, as Maxwell was hitting for power, drawing walks and stealing bases. Assuming he stays healthy for a bit, he'll be in line for some major league playing time in 2009, but the Nationals' outfield is crowded and the organization may have had their fill of injury-prone players thanks to Nick Johnson. A trade wouldn't hurt his chances at advancement.

2008

Maxwell, a potential first-round pick in 2005 who slipped to the fourth round due to an injury-plagued college career, beat up pitching at both Low-A and High-A last year while showing solid power, base running and patience, but as a 24-year-old facing much younger competition that really wasn't as big an achievement as simply staying healthy. He hit two home runs in 26 at-bats during a September stint in the majors but will probably go back down to Triple-A in 2008 given the offseason acquisition of Lastings Milledge. The clock is ticking for Maxwell, but he's at least got a future ahead of him now.