2012 Season Review: Xavier Nady

Xavier Nady will probably be remembered for being the reason the Washington Nationals needed to call up Bryce Harper by the end of April. Nady and Mark DeRosa were part of the worst left-field combination in recent history and made Nady the worst Nationals player to take part in action.

Jun 2, 2012; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals outfielder Xavier Nady (21) bats against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning at Nationals Park. The Nationals defeated the Braves 2 – 0. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-US PRESSWIRE

2012 Prediction (ZiPS): .249/.294/.367, 5 HR, 28 RBI (229 ABs)
2012 Actual (with Washington): .157/.211/.257, 3 HR, 6 RBI (16/102)

Nady saw his playing time reduced by May and by June he was put on the disabled list before being released outright. He was later picked up by the San Francisco Giants and did alright there, even making a start in the NLDS and remains on the Giants NLCS roster.

Nady was supposed to be a stop-gap in the Nationals outfield with Michael Morse’s injury and Harper biding his time at AAA, similar to Rick Ankiel. He struggled in his time which affected his playing time and with younger players behind him (namely Tyler Moore), the Nationals decided to cut him loose when it became apparent his bat just wasn’t where it needed to be.

It may have just taken him time as with San Francisco, he did see a jump in his statistics but he is still an extra outfielder on a playoff team. His role hasn’t really changed.

Season Highlight: May 16: Nady homered to open up a 4-1 lead against the Pittsburgh Pirates for his 100th career home-run.