Nationals promoting first-round pick Drew Storen

After two phenomenal stints in Double-A and Triple-A, the Nationals are calling up top relief prospect Drew Storen to help fortify the Nationals bullpen. He will join closer Matt Capps and set up man Tyler Clippard, both of whom at the top of leader board in several pitching categories. 

Capps owns a 0.93 ERA and has 14 saves so far this season, already more than half way on his 2009 total. He has also struck out 18 hitters and surrendered just 6 walks.

Clippard, 25, is 7-2with a 1.80 ERA and 30 strike outs. Clippard has a solid 2009 season for the Nationals and is following it up with an even better one so far. I think Clippard could be a very reliable reliever for them down the stretch.

Then there's Storen, who has posted a combined 1.15 ERA in 12 games in the minor leagues. He has struck out 15 batters and surrendered only 3 walks... pretty much not stop domination.

Washington is 20-18, just 3.5 games back on the leading Phillies. If Storen can come up and strengthen the bullpen, along with Stephen Strasburg joining the rotation on June 8th at home versus the Pirates (comment when you think he'll be up if you don't believe me), the Nationals could give the NL East, or at least the Wild Card, some serious competition.

The Nationals will need to have some things go there way, but the pieces are in place for a big summer and good baseball again in D.C.