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.

The Nats' surprising history of Christmas Eve transactions

The Nats' surprising history of Christmas Eve transactions
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Tales from the clubhouse: Sleep-deprived Gio González

Tales from the clubhouse: Sleep-deprived Gio González
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Nationals trivia quiz: Pitching
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Castro MRI shows "very mild strain," Nats trying out opener
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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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An all-time Nationals roster - with a twist
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Nationals trivia quiz: Highs and lows
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Could either of these lefties be a fit for the Orioles?

Could either of these lefties be a fit for the Orioles?
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Strasburg credits teammates for his 100th victory

Strasburg credits teammates for his 100th victory
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On Zimmerman's running, Barrett's return and Gonzalez's signing

On Zimmerman's running, Barrett's return and Gonzalez's signing
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Plenty of former Nationals still looking for work
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Host of 2018 Nationals still seeking jobs in tepid market
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Top stories of 2018: The late-summer roster teardown

Top stories of 2018: The late-summer roster teardown
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Former Orioles, ex-Nationals are heading to postseason in droves

Former Orioles, ex-Nationals are heading to postseason in droves
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Fighting tears, Gonzalez recalls "emotional" final day with Nats
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As soon-to-be-traded Gonzalez watches, Nats fall to Brewers
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Source: Nats sending Gonzalez to Brewers
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Gonzalez, Martinez lament another frustrating start by lefty
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