Reviewing the Washington Nationals 2007 draft class

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.

Steven Souza Jr.

Steven Souza Jr. was selected in the third round, and much like some of his friends drafted ahead of him, spent ample time in the minors before making it to the majors. A stellar Triple-A season made Souza a desirable piece in a three-team trade which netted the Nationals Trea Turner. Souza had a breakout season in 2017, hitting 30 home runs for the Tampa Bay Rays and has since played for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs. Injuries have really taken a bite out of his production of late. Souza is currently a free agent.

Derek Norris

Derek Norris was taken with the sixth pick of the fourth round and was working his way through the Nationals system when he was packaged in a trade for Gio Gonzalez. Norris made it to the majors with the A’s, even getting to an All-Star game with them. He spent time with the San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays before making his way back to the Nationals in 2016. Off the field problems caught up with him and when the Nationals signed Matt Wieters they decided to cut ties with Norris. He played independent ball as well, and after one season with the Sugar Land Skeeters, was done with baseball altogether.

Pat McCoy

Aside from the players listed above (excluding Burgess), Pat McCoy was the only other player from this draft class to make the majors. Drafted in the 10th round, McCoy spent seven years in the Nationals organization before leaving as a minor league free agent. Called up to the Detroit Tigers in 2014, McCoy played in 14 games, walking more than he struck out and finishing with a 3.86 ERA. After spending time in the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays minor league systems, he joined Norris on the 2018 Skeeters team.

All told, six of the first seven draft choices from 2007 made it to the majors. Detwiler has his guaranteed major league contract for next year, while Zimmermann and Souza hope to find a big league roster as well.