District On Deck
FanSided

Washington Nationals 2016 Player Preview: Michael Taylor

By Ricky Keeler

Mar 4, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; Washington Nationals center fielder Michael Taylor (3) connects for a solo home run against the Miami Marlins during a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; Washington Nationals center fielder Michael Taylor (3) connects for a solo home run against the Miami Marlins during a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Even though he won’t be an everyday starter, what will Michael Taylor’s impact be on the 2016 Nats?

When the Washington Nationals traded away reliever Drew Storen to the Blue Jays for outfielder Ben Revere, everyone was wondering what impact that it would have on Michael Taylor. Taylor, who will be entering his third year in the league, was a key contributor in the Nats outfield last year with the injuries to Jayson Werth and Denard Span.

More from District on Deck

In 138 games last year, the 24-year-old had a slash line of .229/.282/.358 with 14 home runs, 63 RBI’s, and he stole 16 bases in 19 attempts. He also hit some big home runs for the Nationals last year, whether it was his game-winning grand slam against the Diamondbacks or his walk-off pinch-hit home run against the Atlanta Braves.

So far this spring, Taylor is hitting .423 with two home runs and three RBI’s in 11 games. Those three RBI’s came yesterday when he hit a home run against the Marlins in a 4-2 win. Plus, he has three stolen bases, which is second on the team behind Trea Turner (four). Taylor had a strong spring last year as well when he hit .323 with two home runs and seven RBI’s in 21 games.

While Taylor had his defensive issues early in the season, he ended up only making three errors (all in center field) and he had seven runs saved in 38 games as a left fielder (according to Fangraphs).

Taylor isn’t going to be a starter, barring injury, on Opening Day, but if the Nationals want to be a contender this year, he is going to have to make an impact as that pivotal fourth outfielder. In fact, manager Dusty Baker said on Saturday that Taylor is going to see some playing time this season:

"“He’s gonna play, it’s just a matter of when. He’s gonna play quite a bit. When you have four quality outfielders and a couple other guys that are really good players, that’s the mark of a good team.” (h/t Chelsea Janes, The Washington Post)"

More from Nationals News

When you look at the aggressive baserunning Baker wants to do this year, Taylor seems to be one of those players that can flourish with that, whether he’s in the lineup or used as a pinch runner late in the game. Plus, he can come in for Werth and be that defensive replacement in left field and play next to Revere.

When you look at the Steamer Projections on Fangraphs for Taylor, they have him hitting .240 with nine home runs and 33 RBI’s in 82 games. But, his projected total of 11 stolen bases would be third on the team behind Turner and Revere.

Next: District Daily: Arroyo Reportedly Has Torn Labrum

With Taylor in a part-time role for now, the Nationals have a player that can fill in on defense, run the bases, and provide power off the bench. If Taylor can cut down on the strikeouts (128 last season), he has the potential to be a strong hitter in this lineup for the next few years.

Home/Nationals News