Desmond goes to Potomac to find his stroke Sunday, May 28, 2006 BY GEOFF MORROW Of The Patriot-News Ian Desmond's lack of a plan forced the Washington Nationals to rethink theirs. Ranked as the Nationals' No. 4 prospect before the season by Baseball America, the 20-year-old Desmond rode the fast-track to Double-A Harrisburg this year. The athletically gifted shortstop, often compared to New York Yankees megastar Derek Jeter, carried lofty goals into the 2006 Eastern League campaign. Suffice to say, Desmond's demotion to Single-A Potomac yesterday suggests just how far off pace he was in achieving those goals. Senators fans noticed as Desmond batted .182 with just three RBIs in 121 at-bats. He committed a team-high 11 errors, including four in one game. Many wondered why there was so much hype. But when you wash away the statistical dirt, it's easy to see why Desmond had -- and still has -- a bright future with this organization. "He's going to play in the big leagues for about 15 years," Senators manager John Stearns said last night from Manchester, N.H., where the Senators are playing a four-game set with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. "Having said that, he had his hands full this year at Double-A. If he gets his head straight and starts hitting consistently and with a plan, he'll be back here, maybe even this year. "This isn't even a bump in the road for him, considering his age." Age is likely reason No. 1 Desmond struggled mightily at this level. He was easily the youngest player on the Senators and was among the youngest in the league. Heck, even on Potomac he's the second-youngest player. Stearns reminds you that this is only his third year of professional baseball after getting drafted straight out of Sarasota (Fla.) High School in 2004. Where his inexperience was most notable was at the plate, where Desmond often looked overmatched. He'd only drawn five walks vs. 35 strikeouts in his 37 games here. His lack of a plan at the plate, as Stearns called it, basically meant he just went up there swinging, as you or I might do if we found ourselves facing a Double-A pitcher. "He was just looking for the ball and swinging at anything," Stearns said. "He didn't have strike zone recognition. World-class hitters do not swing at balls out of the strike zone. On an 0-0 pitch, for example, he has to be looking for a pitch in a certain location. If he doesn't get it, he has to take it, even if it's a strike. That's my idea of having a plan." By swinging wildly, Desmond fell behind in the count far too often, passing the advantage to the pitcher. "When you're behind, the pitcher has you in his pocket," Stearns said. "It's a world of difference statistically and mentally." Even though Desmond took his share of lumps in Harrisburg, he never stewed, rarely complained to umpires and showed maturity beyond his years. Still, he was "quiet and dejected" when informed him of the demotion late Friday night, Stearns said. But in the minds of those who know best and care most, guys like Stearns and Nationals director of player development Andy Dunn, this ranks as barely a minor setback. "The bottom line is we want to make sure we put all of our guys in the position to have success," Dunn said. "We're not down on Ian. No one is upset with Ian. I'd like to see him get real hot [in Potomac]." At Potomac, where Desmond hit .256 in 55 games last year, he'll hit near the top of the lineup and try like crazy to find a consistent stroke at the plate. And everyone in the organization will be watching and hoping. "The ceiling on this guy is higher than anybody on our team," said Stearns, singling out Desmond's major league arm, hands, feet and glove. "I have no reservations saying that. "And there's no sin in going through a down period." --

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