Good afternoon DoD readers, and welcome to today’s District Daily. Get caught up on the latest Nats news and opinions with some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web below.
In today’s Daily, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post discusses yet another impressive accolade for Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper. As Janes notes, players anonymously voted Harper as the National League’s most outstanding player. Harper has already earned several distinctions in 2015 and could be in line for his first National League MVP Award as well.
Harper undoubtedly deserves all the praise he has garnered this offseason after posting a career-year in 2015. The outfielder hit .330 while belting 42 home runs, driving in 99 runs and posting a 1.109 OPS. At just 22-years old, Harper posted arguably the best season in Nationals history and one of the best offensive seasons in baseball history by a player his age.
Harper was crucial for the Nationals in 2015 and he’ll be even more important next season. Based on how he performed last year, it’ll be interesting to see how the young slugger can continue to grow and improve in 2016.
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Also in today’s Daily, MLB.com’s Andrew Simon discusses Chris Speier — the latest addition to Nationals manager Dusty Baker‘s coaching staff. As Simon notes, it’s still not clear exactly what position Speier will fill, but he will either be the bench coach or the third base coach. The Nationals have now added three coaches to the staff this offseason, as Speier joins pitching coach Mike Madux and first base coach Davey Lopes.
Be sure to check out both articles below, they’re definitely worth a read. And as always, stay tuned to DoD for all your Washington Nationals needs.
Players vote Bryce Harper National League’s most outstanding player
(Chelsea Janes, Washington Post)
Perception of Bryce Harper varies, his reputation fluid, alternating between spoiled child and misunderstood depending on your proximity to South Capitol Street. Opinions swirl around him, but at 22, he rendered them irrelevant with an offensive season for the ages.
His peers acknowledged that performance on a secret ballot. Harper was named the most outstanding player in the National League at Monday night’s Players Choice Awards. Read full article here.
Speier reuniting with Baker on Nats’ staff
WASHINGTON — Chris Speier will join the Nationals’ staff as either a bench coach or third-base coach, a baseball source told MLB.com’s Bill Ladson on Tuesday. The club has not confirmed the hiring.
Speier has a long history as a Major League player and coach, including under new Nats manager Dusty Baker. Washington has not completed Baker’s staff, but Speier would join pitching coach Mike Maddux and first-base coach Davey Lopes. Read full article here.