Nationals Opinions: Best Second Baseman In Nats History
By Ricky Keeler
Aug 6, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa (8) tries to field a ground ball in the eighth inning against the New York Mets at Nationals Park. The Nationals won 7-1. (Photo Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Danny Espinosa
That’s right. The Nationals second baseman for each of the last five seasons takes home the honor of the best Nats’ second baseman over the past decade. Danny Espinosa was the team’s third round pick in the 2008 MLB Draft. He wouldn’t spend much time in the minors as he made his debut in September 2010.
In his five seasons with the Nationals, Espinosa has been by far the best second baseman in team history because of his power. In 2011, he hit 21 home runs and drove in 66 RBI’s. Those numbers were good enough for second on the team behind Morse in both categories. In 2012, his numbers would stay around the same as he hit 17 home runs with 56 RBI’s.
In each of those two seasons, his WAR was above two (2.8 in 2011 and 2.5 in 2012). While the 27-year old has struggled each of the past two seasons, the hope is that by focusing on hitting from mainly the right side of the plate that he will go back to those 2011-2012 numbers.
As far as his fielding goes, Espinosa has been one of the better fielders at his position. His fielding percentage was top five in the NL in 2011-2012. Plus, just this past season, his range factor per nine innings at second base was third in the NL last season (4.87).
While the strikeouts can be high for Espinosa, there is still a ton of room for the Nationals second baseman to continue to grow as a hitter. Not to mention, he has a very cool mustache. Congratulations to Danny Espinosa for being the best second baseman in Nationals history, according to District On Deck.