Nationals acquire Erik Komatsu from Brewers in exchange for Hairston

The Washington Nationals today acquired 23 year-old outfielder Erik Komatsu from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for infielder/outfielder Jerry Hairston Jr. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Komatsu was named the Brewers' 2010 Minor League Player of the Year after hitting .323 with 31 doubles, five home runs and 63 RBI and 28 stolen bases in 130 games for Brevard County of the Single-A Florida State League. Komatsu paced the league in runs scored (90), walks (68) and on-base percentage (.413), while ranking among FSL's top two in batting (second), total base (second, 215), hits (second, 157). Komatsu, who both hits and throws left-handed, was batting .294 in 93 Double-A contests with Huntsville at the time of the trade. His .393 on-base percentage and 53 walks both currently rank among Southern League leaders. Drafted by Milwaukee in the eighth round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, Komatsu has vast experience at all three outfield spots. Komatsu played collegiately at Cal State-Fullerton and entered 2011 rated by Baseball America as Milwaukee's No. 14 prospect. He has been assigned by the Nationals to Harrisburg of the Double-A Eastern League. Hairston, 35, hit .268 with four home runs and 24 RBI in 75 games this season with Washington.