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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Derek Norris, drafted by the Nationals, traded to the A's in the Gio Gonzalez package.
Derek Norris #23 rounds the bases and scores on a hit by Wilmer Difo #1 of the Washington Nationals against the Boston Red Sox in the second inning during a spring training game at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on March 7, 2017 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Red Sox defeated the Nationals 5-3. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

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.

Next. Nationals need to prioritize pitching in free agency. dark

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.

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