Marrero, Espinosa having success this fall

Chris Marrero and Danny Espinosa were two of the Potomac Nationals' biggest offensive stars of 2009. And their success has carried over to the Arizona Fall League.

The two are hitting .365 and .319, respectively, for the Phoenix Desert Dogs, further solidifying themselves as top-level prospects in the Washington Nationals' minor league system.

"This has typically been a hitter's league," Washington assistant general manager and vice president of player development Bob Boone said. "Their team is hitting [.319] and it's an opportunity to be in a more relaxed atmosphere.

"They're working on getting in a strong hitting position and on being relaxed when a pitcher has tough stuff. Marrero's working on his first base play. It's a great opportunity for players to come here."

Marrero's 2009 season was mostly spent at Potomac where he hit .287 with 16 home runs and 65 RBI before finishing at Harrisburg. He has three home runs and 14 RBI in the AFL.

Espinosa came to Potomac after a 2008 season at Low-A Vermont. He hit .264 with 18 home runs and 72 RBI for the P-Nats and in July represented Washington in major league baseball's All-Star Futures Game in St. Louis.

But perhaps the best part of Espinosa's year was the aggressive arm and range he showed at short-stop.

It is a tool Boone still sees two months after the conclusion of the minor league season.

"He hasn't lost it," Boone said. "He's playing well."

One of Espinosa's biggest offensive detriments, however, is the 129 strikeouts he piled up in 133 games at Potomac.

Plate discipline continues to be a struggle with Phoenix as Espinosa has 13 strikeouts in 13 games.

Boone, however, sees the big picture, saying the more at-bats each player gets, the better opportunity he has to become a more solid hitter.

"They get more of everything," Boone said. "They get a taste of what that next level will be like. They're not awed by it. They see guys they're hitting off of that they're going to hit off of next year."

NOTE: Catcher Sean Rooney, who batted .300 prior to a promotion to Double-A Harrisburg, is hitting .125 in three games for Phoenix. Rooney was not scheduled to play in the league, but replaced catcher Derek Norris, who broke his hamate bone during the instructional league.

Staff writer Robert Daski can be reached at 703-878-8049.