District Daily: Help Bryce Harper, Ian Desmond Showing Power
By Kenny DeJohn
Jun 9, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond (20) hits a two run RBI single against the San Francisco Giants during the third inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nothing like starting your Monday with the latest Washington Nationals news, right?
Injured Harper needs boost in NL All-Star voting
More from Nationals News
- Latest DraftKings Sportsbook Promo Code in Maryland: Bet $5, Win $200 Guaranteed
- Nationals Claim Jeter Downs Off Waivers
- Washington Nationals Tuesday Q&A
- A Washington Nationals Christmas Wishlist
- Robots in Baseball? The Possibility of an Automated Ball/Strike System in the MLB
ST. LOUIS — Injured Nationals’ outfielder Bryce Harper is one of the leading vote-getters for the National League team in the All-Star Game this year, according to the latest totals released Sunday.
Harper is currently 14th among outfielders, with 543,501 votes. Los Angeles’ Yasiel Puig (1,942,701 votes) leads all outfielders and is followed by the Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen (1,727,534) and the Marlins’ Giancarlo Stanton (1,659,430).
Harper was batting .289 with a home run and nine RBIs before he tore his ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb on April 26. He has been on the disabled list since then, but he’s expected to start light swinging when the Nationals return home Monday. Read full article here.
Rendon bumped to leadoff in place of scratched Span
ST. LOUIS — Third baseman Anthony Rendon has found a home in the two-hole of the Nationals’ batting order.
The second-year player has taken at-bats everywhere from leadoff to the eighth spot this season, but he has settled in right behind leadoff hitter Denard Span. However, with Span a late scratch in Sunday’s finale vs. the Cardinals due to a stiff back, Rendon was bumped up to leadoff for at least a day. Nate McLouth batted second and played center field.
Entering Sunday, Rendon had hit second in 45 of Washington’s 67 games this season, and the Nationals have a 26-19 mark in those games. Read full article here.
Desmond displaying impressive power numbers
ST. LOUIS — Washington shortstop Ian Desmond has hit 45 home runs over the past two seasons, but is on pace for his best power season yet. Through the team’s first 67 games, Desmond has 13 home runs and 42 RBIs.
“I think it’s probably just maturing as a hitter and understanding the pitchers more — being more of a veteran knowing how guys are pitching him, what they’re trying to do, understanding himself more as a hitter,” Washington hitting coach Rick Schu said. “He’ll hit for power. I see him hitting for average. He strikes out a little bit too much right now. I think he has the ability to be a guy who can hit for average, drive in runs, hit homers — be a total package. It’s just a matter of him maturing. He’s going to play in the big leagues for a long time, so he’s only going to get better.” Read full article here.