There was a time when Justin Maxwell was one of the bright spots in the Nationals’ farm system. The 27-year-old was an athletic outfielder with plenty of promise when he was drafted out of the University of Maryland in the fourth round in 2005 — the same year as Ryan Zimmerman. It didn’t hurt that Maxwell was from nearby Olney, either. But if Maxwell ever does realize his promise, it won’t be in his hometown. He was traded Wednesday to the New York Yankees for right-handed pitcher Adam Olbrychowski.
Maxwell always had a raw swing, and he just couldn’t hit consistently when Washington gave him a chance at the big league level. And yet he made an impact far beyond what you would expect from a kid with 122 games in the majors. Maxwell put together his own highlight reel of fabulous catches in center field and hit three grand slams, one of them in the bottom of the ninth to beat the Mets in 2009. Maxwell underwent Tommy John surgery after the season to repair a torn elbow ligament but is expected to be ready for spring training.
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