Washington Nationals: Ian Desmond and Danny Espinosa Keys To Success

WASHINGTON (WUSA) --Believe it or not, there are other players on the the Washington Nationals not named Bryce Harper or Stephen Strasburg who will have profound effects on the team's playoff chances.

Can Danny Espinosa recreate his first half magic?

Right around the all-star break in 2011, you would have been hard pressed to find a second basemen in the National League mashing baseballs the way Danny Espinosa was. In 92 first half games, the 24-year-old switch-hitter posted 16 home runs, 52 RBI's and 45 runs scored. Nats fans thought they were witnessing the second coming of Ryne Sandberg.

In the 66 games he played in following the break, Espinosa found himself as possibly the worst hitter in the Nationals lineup. He produced only five homers, 14 RBI's and his batting average dipped 15 points, all the way to a dismal .227.

Espinosa excelled last season when batting in the sixth spot, something he did in 59 games. The second basemen hit an above average .272 in the six-hole, producing 10 home runs and 23 RBI's. In the 56 games he hit either first or second in the lineup, Espinosa's averaged dipped to .181.

Philadelphia Phillie Chase Utley, Milwaukee Brewer Rickie Weeks and Cincinnati Red Brandon Phillips are the only three NL second basement that are clearly better than Espinosa. With a rangy glove that extends into the shallow outfield, the Nationals should be pleased with where Espinosa stands thus far into his career. Also remember when Espinosa was playing his best, the Nationals were winners of seven in a row last June.

What if Ian Desmond slumps?

To me, Desmond's struggles seem unavoidable. I understand that the Nat's projected leadoff man hit a legitimate .302 in the month of September, a time in which the Nationals were playing winning baseball. And manager Davey Johnson seems to say the right things to mentally prepare Desmond for the game of baseball.

Usually if a third year player hits below .220 in a month -- something Desmond did in May and June last season -- it would be a good assumption to think those rotten numbers will appear throughout his career. He hasn't established himself as a consistent baseball player and the Nationals are being naive if they expect Desmond to become the answer to their ongoing problem at the top of the order.

So what if Desmond does open the season hitting below the .230 mark? What are the Nationals other options?

Stephen Lombardozzi is a 23-year-old ripe prospect who could play shortstop and totaled a terrific .360 on base percentage in the minors last season. He's expected to make the opening day roster as a utility man. With that said, its unlikely Davey Johnson would send one of his favorites in Desmond to the bench so early in the season.

The Nationals certainly don't want to put Jayson Werth in the leadoff spot. Teams shell out $125 million for power hitters not speedsters at the top of the lineup.

The likely centerfield platoon of Roger Bernadina and Rick Ankiel won't work atop the order either. Bernadina batted a horrific .209 in 53 games when leading off in 2011. And Ankiel, a former pitcher, is one of the slower Nationals.

So what would that leave the Nationals with? Bryce Harper.

The 19-year-old is supposed to be a power hitter, but why not utilize his speed until he bulks up in his twenties? If Desmond struggles atop the lineup, Harper makes the most realistic sense to give the Nationals a much needed jolt.