District On Deck
FanSided

Reviewing the Washington Nationals 2007 draft class

By James Simmons

Jordan Zimmermann #27 of the Detroit Tigers looks on during the game against the Washington Nationals at Comerica Park on June 30, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. The Nationals defeated the Tigers 2-1. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Jordan Zimmermann #27 of the Detroit Tigers looks on during the game against the Washington Nationals at Comerica Park on June 30, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. The Nationals defeated the Tigers 2-1. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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Ross Detwiler was a good addition to the Washington Nationals as a first round draft pick in 2007.
Ross Detwiler #48 of the Washington Nationals pitches during game two of a doubleheader baseball game against the Miami Marlins on September 26, 2014 at Nationals Park in Washington, DC. The Marlins won 15-7. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

With Ross Detwiler signing a major league contract with the Miami Marlins, we wanted to look at some other members of the 2007 Washington Nationals draft class.

Having finished last in the National League East and with a record better than only five teams, the Washington Nationals drafted sixth in the 2007 draft. With compensations picks awarded them after losing Alfonso Soriano and Jose Guillen, the Nationals selected five times in the first 70 picks.

After Ross Detwiler signed his contract to return for a 13th big league season we decided to go back to the 2007 draft class and see if any other players were still toiling around the majors. Detwiler was taken 6th overall and had an up and down tenure with the Nationals before bouncing around the league the last six years. His solid performance out of the Chicago White Sox bullpen last year no doubt led to his contract with the Marlins this offseason.

Josh Smoker

Josh Smoker was the first player taken with the two supplemental picks the Nationals were gifted when Alfonso Soriano signed with the Chicago Cubs following the 2006 season. Smoker stalled in the Nationals system before becoming a minor league free agent, eventually signing with the New York Mets. He pitched in 82 games at the big league level for four different teams, finishing in 2018 with a career ERA of 5.35. Smoker pitched in the independent leagues in 2019.

Michael Burgess

Michael Burgess was drafted with the compensation received when Jose Guillen signed with the Seattle Mariners prior to the 2007 season. Burgess spent three years in A-Ball before finally reaching Double-A Harrisburg, where he spent a short time before being traded to the Chicago Cubs. The Nationals received Tom Gorzelanny in return. Burgess would play in the Cubs and Baltimore Orioles organizations before moving onto independent ball, never reaching as high as Triple-A during his time in affiliated baseball.

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