For one night, Souza and company showed why they belong

It did not result in a victory, but it was certainly intriguing to watch what amounted to the Nationals' 1A team stay with the Braves, and even lead 1-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth. The Braves ended up winning 3-1, but the Nationals' starters Wednesday displayed why they belong.

Tyler Moore and Steven Souza Jr., both former minor league Players of the Year in the organization, were starters. Moore was at first base hit cleanup and when 1-for-4, while Souza played left field.

Souza crushed a home run off of Alex Wood deep over the center field wall. Right before the at-bat, I had a sense he was going to launch one. He had already seen Wood and knew that he could get a hold of Wood's off-speed offering if he could find it in his zone. It felt like the home run was going to happen sooner than later for Souza.

Souza had an electric year for Triple-A Syracuse. He was so good he got called up twice by the Nationals. In 96 games for the Chiefs, Souza hit 18 home runs and contributed 75 RBIs.

Souza had to spend time on the disabled list after crashing into the wall at Turner Field earlier this season. The very same ball park where he ends up hitting his first home run.

There is a redemption story there. Souza got hurt in Atlanta, rehabbed from the shoulder injury and ends up crushing a home run at Turner Field a month and a half later.

While he was a minor leaguer for the Nationals in 2012, Souza started the season back down at low Single-A Hagerstown before he returned to high Single-A Potomac. With his mind and body focused, Souza has flourished.

His strong bat and quick hands are assets. He has the tools to be an above-average defender. As he learns how to read pitches, he will only get better.

In 2008, he hit seven homers with 35 RBIs. In 2010 and 2011, he hit 11 homers and 56 RBIs each season. In 2012, he crushed 23 homers with 85 RBIs. In 2013, as he got used to Double-A pitching and battled a couple of injuries, he still managed 15 homers and 46 RBIs. In 2014, he hit 18 homers and had 77 RBIs between Syracuse and two rehab stints lower in the minors.

Souza and Michael A. Taylor are prime examples of the talent the Nationals have in their outfield ,and both should battle for utility spots next season or starting roles in the very near future. It was exciting to see all of that talent from the Nationals organization on the field at the same time. It had to be a special moment for the young players, but also for the scouts and development directors who have worked so hard for so many years to put together a roster that could compete at the major league level.

On Wednesday, they showed they certainly could.