Strasburg and the Zimmermans. Gio Gonzalez, Jayson Werth and Edwin Jackson. It appears as if the Washington Nationals could snap their six-season streak of finishing under .500. If not this year, then certainly next year. And the year after. Baseball America recently said the Nationals have the best farm system in the sport.

The Nationals’ good fortune of drafting first in 2009 and 2010 helped build their system, but their philosophy and commitment to the draft, Callis said, played the largest role. The Nationals signed high-ceiling prospects such as Anthony Rendon, Alex Meyer, Brian Goodwin, Matt Purke and Sammy Solis with later picks using shrewd scouting and a willingness to break the bank on signing bonuses.

Sure, they had nowhere to go but up – think Detroit Lions in the NFL – but with the Mets floundering, the Phillies window starting to close (they’ll still be the class of the NL for at least another year), and the Braves cash-strapped, I don’t think it’s outrageous to think the Nationals could be a World Series contender in 2013. [Wash Post]

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