Zach Walters promoted to Triple-A Syracuse

Making his second move of the season, shortstop Zach Walters has been promoted to Triple-A Syracuse, Nationals director of player development Doug Harris confirmed to MASNSports.com. Walters hit .293 in 43 games for Double-A Harrisburg, smacking 11 doubles, four triples, six homers and 19 RBIs. He scored 23 runs and walked eight times with one stolen base for the Senators. But what is more important is that he is a shortstop, and with the uncertainty of Ian Desmond's oblique injury and Steve Lombardozzi's full-time status at second base, the Nationals are protecting their infield with some valuable insurance. Walters fits the bill. The Nationals feel the 22-year old can help them in a pinch if necessary. They really are impressed with his makeup as a ballplayer. He started the season with high Single-A Potomac, playing 54 games and hitting .269 with eight doubles, one triple, five homers and 24 RBIs. Walters was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the ninth round of the 2010 draft out of the University of San Diego, the same school as Nationals pitching prospect Sammy Solis. They were college roommates for one of those seasons. Walters came to the Nationals from Arizona in the trade for pitcher Jason Marquis on July 30, 2011. Walters, like Corey Borwn, is another example of the keen eye the Nationals' scouting department and general manager Mike Rizzo have shown the past few years in getting talent back in trades for veterans.