Nationals Opinions: Best Left Fielder in Nats History
Josh Willingham #16 of the Washington Nationals is congratulated by Anderson Hernandez #6 after hitting a home run in the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park on April 16, 2009 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
No. 4: Josh Willingham
Our number four player on our list, Josh Willingham, who spent the 2009 and 2010 seasons with the Nationals, is another example of a journeyman, though less so than Harris. Willingham has also logged time with the Marlins, the Twins, the Athletics, and the Royals.
Originally drafted in the 17th round of the 2000 draft by the Marlins, Willingham was traded to the Nationals in a deal involving Scott Olsen, Emilio Bonifacio, Jake Smolinski, and P.J. Dean after the conclusion of the 2008 season. Through a combination of injuries and the move of Adam Dunn to first base, Willingham quickly became a starter.
During his time with the Nationals, Willingham accumulated 40 home runs, 117 RBI, and an OPS of .856 while playing 195 games in left field. On July 27, 2009, he also became the 13th player in Major League history to hit two grand slams in the same game, a feat made even more impressive by the fact that he did it in back-to-back innings.
Willingham was just average in the field, though he did still manage to accumulate a WAR of 5.0 in just two seasons. In the December following the 2010 season, he would be traded to the Athletics for a pitcher and another outfielder. Though Willingham was never part of a Nationals team that won an NL East title, Willingham certainly contributed enough on the field to land him at number four on the list of Nationals left fielders.
Next: Number 3