Ian Desmond played his first seven years in the Majors with the Washington Nationals, where the infielder would have his best success in Baseball.

Desmond's run in Washington included three Silver Sluggers, three 20-plus Home Runs years, and an All-Star campaign in 2012.  The Shortstop signed with Texas in 2016, where he was an All-Star for the second time, and afterward, he concluded his career with the Colorado Rockies for three more years.

Desmond would have 181 Home Runs and 1,432 Hits over his career. 

When the Montreal Expos moved to Washington in 2005 to become the Nationals, the franchise needed to develop a new wave of local talent to build its identity. Ian Desmond emerged as a key figure in this effort. Drafted in the third round of 2004, the athletic shortstop advanced through the minor leagues during the franchise’s transition and made his debut in late 2009. Over the following six seasons, Desmond became the dynamic, power-hitting centerpiece of the Nationals’ middle infield, pushing the offensive limits for the position in Washington.

His ascent to prominence emerged as a true showcase of power and speed. After overcoming early defensive struggles, Desmond unlocked elite offensive performance in 2012. He dominated National League pitching by hitting a career-high .292, with 25 home runs and 21 stolen bases, earning his first All-Star selection and Silver Slugger Award. His dynamic middle-of-the-order play was a key factor in Washington's remarkable 98-win season, leading to the franchise's first National League East division title.

Instead of viewing that breakout summer as a standalone highlight, Desmond maintained an impressive offensive level, achieving three consecutive 20/20 seasons from 2012 to 2014. He earned three consecutive Silver Slugger Awards at shortstop—placing him among the franchise's elite—and continued to be a constant, high-impact threat on the bases. Even as his strikeout count increased and his walk rate stayed modest, his capacity to produce game-changing power from a key defensive position established him as one of the most formidable shortstops of his time.

His seven-season residency in Washington drew to a close after the 2015 campaign, when he declined a qualifying offer to enter the free-agent market. While he would go on to earn another All-Star nod in Texas and play several productive seasons in Colorado.

As a National, Desmond had 917 hits, 178 doubles, 110 home runs, and 432 RBIs. He also stole 122 bases and posted a .264/.312/.424 slash line.