Ian Desmond News

The Topps Company, in conjunction with Minor League Baseball, named their 2009 Class A All-Stars today, and two Washington Nationals prospects were on the team.

Numbers don't always tell the whole story. If they did, fans of the Nationals might not have much reason to feel optimistic, after their big league team suffered through its second consecutive 100-loss season .

Nats nuggets: bench coach, Guzman, Flores, et al. Just got done speaking to Nationals GM Mike Rizzo and meeting the majority of his new front-office hires -- the amassing of which Rizzo called "the most important part of our offseason." Suffice it to say there is a lot of optimism around the organization these days.

Washington Nationals Here is the land of opportunity and a slew of high-end draft picks with loads of expectations.

Browse more photos>> Top 20 Washington Nationals Prospects for 2010. All grades are EXTREMELY PRELIMINARY and subject to change.

What did you think about the Nationals making Jim Riggleman the permanent manager? -- Charlie B., Washington It was a great move, because there is going to be discipline and accountability on the team, something that was missing before he became the interim manager.

The World Series may still be fresh in your mind, but MLB GMs are already focusing on next season.

The Nationals have selected Jim Riggleman as their manager, according to a baseball source.

According to SI.coma TMs Jon Heyman via Twitter, the Washington Nationals are expected to name Jim Riggleman as manager.

Right-hander Drew Storen has been touted as a closer. If he makes the big league team, how about starting him off as a setup man, and then working him into the closer role by midseason? -- Shane B., Vancouver, Canada It's almost certain Storen will be invited to Spring Training and I could see him start the regular season as a setup man.

After years of neglect and abuse, the Washington Nationals' farm system is beginning to look like, well, a farm system again.

Do you see the Nationals bringing in another bat this offseason? And who might be the fit at the position? -- Justin L., Washington Yes, I think they will get another bat in the outfield.

With a 59-103 record, things were ugly again for the Nationals this year. But within baseball's worst record, there were bright spots -- and areas in which a large share of the blame wound up.

Although the Braves are no longer in the playoff race, there is a good reason to watch Saturday's game on FOX: the Nationals.

If this were an exercise on name recognition, Alcides Escobar would mop the floor with Ian Desmond .

Ex-Sand Gnats playing for the Washington Nationals. Submitted by Wally on Sun, 2009-10-04 18:40 The Atlanta Braves played the Washington Nationals in the Braves final home stand of the year.

The Washington Nationals shoot for their sixth consecutive win tonight, when they continue a four-game series against the NL East-foe Atlanta Braves at Turner Field.

Nationals 6, Braves 3: Ian Desmond homered, tripled and drove in three runs and visiting Washington kept up its strong finish to a dismal season by beating Atlanta last night.

The Nationals, who lead the majors with 103 losses, have a five-game winning streak, their second-longest string of the year.

The Washington Nationals will try to sweep the New York Mets this afternoon in the finale of a three-game set at Nationals Park.