Profile: Steve Lombardozzi is a local product, born in Fulton Maryland and attended Atholton High School in Columbia, Maryland. His father Steve Sr. played parts of six seasons in the pros (with Twins and Astros) largely due to his rock solid defense at second base. I see Steve Jr’s career having a little more promise than his fathers because he handles the bat better, even now at 23 then ole dad ever did. I have the 6′ 170lbs Lombardozzi barely making the Nat’s Opening Day roster this spring as a utility infielder, but I think that he could potentially be a solid contributor this year. Steve can play second, short, third and would basically start the season as the back up at all but third (Mark DeRosa). With his two best positions being occupied by young guys in Desmond and Espinosa that have been vulnerable to slumps early in their careers, I expect Lombardozzi to see significant at bats. In the short time Steve has spent in the minors since being drafted in 2008 he has proven that he has the three main skills you want from a utility man; he can hit for average (.298 career minor league avg.), he can run the bases (30 stolen bases in 2011), and he can play great defense (2 errors in 356 attempts in 2011). The future is bright for this beltway native, I expect him to have a nice career like those of Marco Scutaro or Jerry Hairston. Not the flashiest guy and won’t hit for power, but consistently does the little things to help his team win games. In an organization stacked with high draft pick stars, it’s a nice bonus to get some value out of a 19th rounder like Lombardozzi.  Read more...