Dave Nichols: Souza has taken an interesting path to the majors

The Nationals recalled Steven Souza Jr. from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday to replace Nate McLouth on the active roster, as the struggling veteran outfielder was placed on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder inflammation. Souza's return to the bigs was met with giddy anticipation from a segment of the Nationals' fanbase that scours the minor leagues to boast about seeing the "next big thing" before they reach the big leagues. Souza has completely torn up the International League this season with the Chiefs. His .354/.435/.601 line would be impressive at any level, let alone just one stop from "the show." Add in 23 home runs and 24 stolen bases, and you'll have to forgive the fanboys if their excitement is overflowing. But it hasn't always been an easy path for Souza, now 25. The former third round pick has certainly had his share of trials along the way. Souza struggled hard in his first taste of professional baseball. As an 18-year-old right out of high school in 2007, Souza hit a paltry .194 in 167 plate appearances for the Nats' Gulf Coast League entry. His next three seasons weren't much better, topping out at .237 in 126 games for Low-A Hagerstown in 2009. His struggles on the field turned into trouble off it. In 2010, Souza was suspended 50 games after he tested positive for performance enhancing drugs, specifically a prescription stimulant primarily used to treat ADHD. He returned the next season, only to end up in an altercation with Matt LeCroy, his manager at Single-A Potomac during batting practice one day. Souza quit and left the team. He went home to Everett, WA. He even contemplated going to college to play football. But the draw to baseball was too strong. The Nats agreed to take Souza back and he reported to spring training in 2012 with a renewed attitude, which came along with his rededication to his faith. Since then, all Souza's done is hit the cover off the ball. In 2012, the Nationals moved him from first/third base to the outfield. He hit .297/.366/.572 with 23 home runs between Hagerstown and Potomac. In 2013, he slugged .297/.396/.548 with 15 homers for Double-A Harrisburg. This season, he's already made his MLB debut and is now back with the big league club, hoping to contribute down the stretch. He probably won't get a lot of playing time, but general manager Mike Rizzo said upon his recall that he can picture Souza as a regular for the Nats in the near future. With some of the contracts the Nats have, it's hard to see where or when that opportunity might come, but for a player that was almost out of baseball three years ago, he's already faced longer odds and beat them. Dave Nichols is editor-in-chief of District Sports Page and co-hosts the "Nats Nightly" Internet radio show. Read Nichols' Nationals observations as part of MASNsports.com's season-long initiative of welcoming guest bloggers to our site. All opinions expressed are those of the guest bloggers, who are not employed by MASNsports.com but are just as passionate about their baseball as our roster of writers.