District On Deck
FanSided

A healthy Anthony Rendon could be key for Washington Nationals in ’16

By Pablo Roa

Sep 28, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) in the field against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) in the field against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Washington Nationals were looking for a game changing hitter this offseason. But if Anthony Rendon can stay healthy, they already have one.

When the Washington Nationals offered Jason Heyward over $200 million to come to D.C. earlier this offseason, it became abundantly clear that the team wasn’t satisfied with its lineup heading into 2016.

The Nationals weren’t only looking for a left-handed hitter, they were looking for a game changing offensive force to complement NL MVP Bryce Harper and other key pieces of the lineup. Ultimately, of course, the Nationals never got that hitter.

After missing out on Heyward, the team satisfied its offensive needs elsewhere — they brought in Daniel Murphy to play second base and Ben Revere to leadoff and play center field. Murphy and Revere are both lefties and balance out a right-handed heavy Nationals lineup.

While there’s no denying that Murphy and Revere make the Nationals’ offense better, neither amounts to the offensive juggernaut that a player like Heyward could bring to the team. And while there’s still an outside chance that the Nationals bring in a big bat (i.e. Yoenis Cespedes) later this offseason, odds are the lineup is set for 2016.

More from District on Deck

But the Nationals don’t need to add a huge bat to improve the lineup from last season. In fact, since the majority of the lineup spent a great deal of time on the disabled list last season, staying healthy alone will make the Nationals a far better offensive force than they were last season. And while everyone staying healthy is important, perhaps no player is more crucial for the team’s success in 2016 than Anthony Rendon.

Rendon was the team’s MVP in 2014, when he hit .287 with a .351 on-base percentage, 21 home runs and 83 RBIs. After a dominant second year in the big leagues, many expected Rendon to continue to improve in 2015 and help lead the Nationals to another NL East title. Unfortunately for Rendon, injuries prevented him and the Nationals from accomplishing those goals.

Hampered by various injuries since before the season even started, Rendon was limited to just 80 games last season and his absence was greatly felt by a Nationals offense that consistently struggled to score runs.

If Rendon can return to his dominant ways of 2014, the Nationals have a potential 25+ homer, 100+ RBI man in the middle of the batting order. Of course, for that to happen Rendon has to stay healthy all season long. But if he can accomplish that, the Nationals may already have the big hitter they’ve been looking for all season long.

Harper carried the Nationals lineup all season long in 2015, and he’ll be crucial for the team’s success next season as well. But if Rendon and others can stay healthy and productive, he won’t have to carry the team on his shoulders like he did all of last season.

Home/Nationals News