20 Greatest Players in Nats History (No. 6-10)

It’s time for the third installment of our 20 Greatest Players in Nationals History series, which means we’ve reached the Top 10. If you missed the first two installments, be sure to click these links for No. 16-20 and No. 11-15.

It was no easy task finalizing the 20 greatest players in 20 years of Nats baseball, and it was no easier deciding who made the Top 10, and in what order. Reminder: This is a subjective exercise, so there’s no hard and fast rule or stat to determine the order. This is about both the player’s tangible performance and also his broader impact and significance within the history of the organization.

We’ll wrap things up next Sunday with the highly anticipated Top 5. But before we get to that, here’s No. 6-10, featuring some pretty big names who each played parts of at least seven seasons in D.C. …

NO. 10 – IAN DESMOND
Shortstop, 2009-15
Stats: 927 G, 3793 PA, 3480 AB, 424 R, 917 H, 185 2B, 21 3B, 110 HR, 432 RBI, 122 SB, 37 CS, 232 BB, 890 SO, .264 AVG, .312 OBP, .424 SLG, .736 OPS, 99 OPS+, 16.5 bWAR, 16.2 fWAR

In March 2005, the Nationals called up a 19-year-old shortstop drafted the previous summer by the then-Expos to play in a few big league spring training games. He immediately turned heads with some dazzling plays in the field, prompting Jim Bowden and Frank Robinson to declare him the organization’s “Shortstop of the Future” and give him a chance to play in the team’s first exhibition game at RFK Stadium.

Nationals trivia quiz: Pitching

Nationals trivia quiz: Pitching
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What if Zimmermann had re-signed with the Nats in 2014?

What if Zimmermann had re-signed with the Nats in 2014?
Baseball organizations and baseball players make countless decisions that impact their short-term and long-term success. Many have no real significant bearing on a franchise's ultimate fortunes, but some really do wind up having major implications that affect not only the player involved but several others either already on the roster or perhaps arriving in the future. You never know which of these decisions are going to have lasting repercussions and which ones won't. It often takes years to...

For Nats' possible offseason road map, look back to 2009-10

For Nats' possible offseason road map, look back to 2009-10
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Emotional Zimmermann retires, recalls memories of time in D.C.

Emotional Zimmermann retires, recalls memories of time in D.C.
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Ranking the Nats' 19 home playoff games, from best to worst
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Span on time in D.C.: "I had a lot of fun there"

Span on time in D.C.: "I had a lot of fun there"
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What if the Nats never acquired Alfonso Soriano?
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An all-time Nationals roster - with a twist

An all-time Nationals roster - with a twist
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Nationals trivia quiz: Highs and lows

Nationals trivia quiz: Highs and lows
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Which pre-2019 Nats team should have won the World Series?

Which pre-2019 Nats team should have won the World Series?
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Lineups: Nats vs. Tigers in West Palm Beach

Lineups: Nats vs. Tigers in West Palm Beach
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - If you needed more evidence that Victor Robles and Eric Thames emerged from Saturday's return from injury feeling strong, here it is: Both are back in the lineup today against the Tigers. Robles will again lead off and serve as designated hitter. Thames, who was the DH in Saturday's home split-squad game, will bat second and play first base. All of this is a good sign that both guys are fully healed and ready for the two-week push to get ready for opening day. Robles...

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Scherzer adds to arsenal since his days in Detroit
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Game 83 lineups: Nats at Tigers

Game 83 lineups: Nats at Tigers
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Zimmermann reflects on '14 NLDS, prepares for Sunday start
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Despondent over Game 5 loss, Scherzer understands Baker's decision
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Longest-tenured National Zimmerman on what Game 5 means to D.C.
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For Max Scherzer, a performance to top them all
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Tigers clubhouse reacts to Max Scherzer's 20-strikeout performance

Tigers clubhouse reacts to Max Scherzer's 20-strikeout performance
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Zimmermann good in return to D.C., but not as good as Scherzer

Zimmermann good in return to D.C., but not as good as Scherzer
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